Gurukula College recorded their second successive Big Match victory when they trounced the traditional rivals Dharmaloka College outright by ten wickets in their 26th annual Battle of Keleniya inter school cricket encounter which concluded at the R. Premadasa Stadium today.
Dharmaloka College who were trailing by 62 runs on the first innings once again struggled for runs and were shot out for a mere 89 runs in their second attempt in 40.3 overs.
Opener Samitha Ranga (25) and Thiwanka Kekulawala (19) were the only two batsmen to enter double figures as the rest of the batting collapsed sensationally against some accurate spin bowling.
In fact Gurukula College main strike bowler Jayamal Wanniarachchi had a memorable outing as he continued with the excellent form to claim a five wicket haul in the second innings and to finish with a matchbag of eight wickets.
In addition skipper Hashan Dumindu (2 for 5) and last year captain Roshan Anuruddha (3 for 26) also came into the limelight through some exceptional bowling performances.
Dharmaloka College of course got off to a good start in their second innings and showed signs of stretching the game to the maximum as they were determined to make amends for the first innings debacle.
However with the introduction of the spinners the game took a dramatic change as the Gurukula College spinners exploited the conditions to good effect and to wrap up the innings in under two sessions.
As a result Gurukula College were left with an easy victory target of 27 runs and they raced to 30 for no loss from just 5.1 overs and to complete a memorable triumph with more than a session to spare.
Gurukula College also made a clean sweep in the special awards category with Jayamal Wanniarachchi winning the Best Bowlers award for his matchbag of eight wickets.
In addition Gurukula College wicket keeper Lisula Lakshan was named Best Fielder while skipper Hashan Dumindu who hit a splendid hundred in the first innings was selected as the Best Batsman and Man of the Match.
Dharmaloka College: 121 (Kusal Ashen 39, Tharindu Madushanka 20, Roshan Anuruddha 3 for 26, Hashan Dumindu 3 for 48, Jayamal Wanniarachchi 3 for 32) and 89 (Samitha Ranga 25, Thiwanka Kekulawala 19, Roshan Anuruddha 3 for 36, Jayamal Wanniarachchi 5 for 34, Hashan Dumindu 2 for 5)
Gurukula College: 183 (Hashan Dumindu 105, Roshan Anuruddha 27, Thiwanka Kekulawala 5 for 53, Nishan Hasarel 3 for 54) and 30 for no loss
