Prince of Wales College snatched a thrilling three runs first innings victory over De Mazenod College Kandana in their inter school under 19 cricket tournament match which concluded at Moratuwa yesterday.
The Cambrians successfully defended their modest first innings total of 214 runs with an excellent performance on the field as they bowled out their opponents for 211 runs in reply with Thilan Nimesh (4 for 53) and Gayan Chamara (3 for 28) doing the damage.
De Mazenod College were well on course towards overtaking their opponents total at one stage following some splendid batting from the top order Lahiru Wickremasinghe who hammered a superb 58 from 97 balls with the help of eight boundaries.
But after his departure De Mazenod College lost wickets at regular intervals and eventually fell short by just three runs from their target despite useful contributions from Krishan Sanjula (37), Shaluka Deemantha (31) and Akash Seneviratne (20)
Earlier Prince of Wales College struggled for runs and they were bowled out for 214 runs despite a fighting half century from Krishan Aponso who hit a top score of 74 from 103 deliveries studded with two sixes and eight boundaries.
De Mazenod College rallied around through the spin of Rukshan Fernando who came into the limelight while returning career best figures of seven wickets for 66 runs.
Prince of Wales College then really made amends for their first innings batting failure by piling up an impressive 261 for 8 wickets in their second innings with Shanuka Dulaj stroking a fluent century.
The dashing opening batsman smashed a brilliant 148 runs from 154 balls with the help of two sixes and fifteen boundaries and also figured in big partnerships along with Ashen Mendis (47) and Hasitha Lanka (42)
De Mazenod College also displayed their batting prowess in the second innings as they raced to 86 for 3 wickets from just eight overs.
Prince of Wales College: 214 (Krishan Aponso 74, Shanuka Dulaj 34, Ashen Mendis 28, Rukshan Fernando 7 for 66, Kavinda Manamperi 2 for 33) and 261 for 8 decl (Shanuka Dulaj 148, Ashen Mendis 47, Hasitha Lanka 42, Shaluka Deemantha 3 for 85, Akash Seneviratne 3 for 55, Rukshan Fernando 2 for 48)
De Mazenod College: 211 (Lahiru Wickremasinghe 58, Krishan Sanjula 37, Shaluka Deemantha 31, Akash Seneviratne 20, Thilan Nimesh 4 for 53, Gayan Chamara 3 for 28) and 86 for 3 (Malshan Fernando 36, Lahiru Wickremasinghe 25, Thilan Nimesh 2 for 33)
