Mahinda College win by a whisker
The Under 17 pre-quarter finals continued as Mahinda College hosted Prince of Wales College at the Galle International Cricket Stadium. After winning the toss the Cambrians decided to bat first on a spin friendly track. But they were in a spot of bother as they lost two crucial wickets in the first six overs with the score on 17.
Upeka Fernando who showed solid defense made 69 runs, and Anupa Heshan who gave good support scored 53 thereafter. Playing in their home town, Mahinda College was able to utilize the conditions well too bowl the Cambrians out for 157 in the final over of the innings.
Kaveesha Vimukthi picked up 2 wickets for 17 for Mahinda College.
After bowling the Cambrians out cheaply Mahinda College had a blistering start thanks to Sri Lanka under 19 cap Navod Paranavithana, but then lost two wickets in quick succession with the score on 57. Sakya Sampath and Sithira Helitha held the innings together as the pair put on a stubborn 4th wicket partnership to steady the innings.
But the Cambrians had not given up yet as Lakshan Perera halted the Mahinda College progress picking up two important wickets with the score on 139/7 in the 40th over. With 19 runs still required in 10 overs and three wickets in hand it was anybody’s game. Mahinda College held their nerve to cross over the line with a wicket to spare for a thrilling finish.
Prince of Wales College, Moratuwa 157 (49.4) : Upeka Fernando 69, Anupa Heshan 53, Kaveesha Vimukthi 2/17
Vs
Mahinda College, Galle 158/9 (47.4) : Sithira Helitha 41, Sakya Sampath 24, Navod Paranavithana 23, Ashan Fernando 3/24, Lakshan Perera 2/18
Result – Mahinda College won by 1 wicket.
Royal cruise to quarters
In another pre-quarter final fixture, Royal College Colombo faced Gurukula College Kelaniya for a place in the Under 17 Division one quarter-finals. Gurukula College won the toss and decided to put the boys from Reid Avenue in to bat.
The Royalist looked quite calm and composed as they went to put on a formidable total of 246 in their allocated 50 over’s. Sri Lanka under 19 cap, Kamil Mishara and Ththira Weerasinghe contributed with half centuries while Isiwara Dissanayake made 49. Sasitha Ashan & Praveen Nimesh picked up 2 wickets each for Gurukula College.
Gurukula College started off well but kept loosing wickets at regular intervals. Themira Nayanatharu tried to hold the Gurukula innings together, but was out for 31 runs. 247 seemed a tough ask as Gurukula were 4 wickets down for 68 by the 22nd over.
Ten overs later things did not look any batter for Gurukula College as Manula Perera and Lahiru Madusanka ripped through the Gurukula batting line up bagging six wickets between them to leave the boys from Kelaniya at111 for the loss of 8 wickets. It was not long before the Royalist wrapped up the innings with a comprehensive win of 113 runs.
Royal College, Colombo 246/8 (50 over’s) : Ththira Weerasinghe 58, Kamil Mishara 55, Isiwara Dissanayaka 49, Thevindu Senarathne 29, Sasitha Ashan 2/39 Praveen Nimesh 2/28 Sasitha Ashan 2/39
Vs
Gurukula College, Kelaniya 133 (38.1 over’s) : Themira Nayanatharu 31, Likshan Sasanga 29, Sithija Chamod 28, Manula Perera 3/15, Lahiru Madusanka 4/27
Result – Royal College Won by 113 runs.
