The 5th ‘Battle of the Blues & Maroons’ (Neela-Lohitha Trophy) unfolded recently at the historic Sinhalese Sports Club Cricket Ground (SSC Grounds) in Colombo 07. In a contest that lived up to the hype of a traditional big match, Mahinda Rajapaksa College, Homagama, displayed dominance to defeat their arch-rivals, Defence Services School (DSS), Colombo, by 40 runs. This victory marks a continuation of their fine rhythm, following their mammoth win in the preceding three-day encounter.
Winning the toss and opting to take first strike on the batting-friendly SSC pitch, MRC skipper Irusha Anujaya’s decision was quickly justified. The opening pair of Randilu Disas and Nadun Bhagya provided a solid foundation, ticking the scoreboard along at a healthy rate. However, the DSS bowlers soon fought back. Right-arm pacer Nimitha Bimandiv made the breakthrough, trapping Randilu Disas leg before wicket (LBW), and shortly after, Vuthsara Okitha found the stumps of Nadun Bhagya to apply the brakes on scoring.
At this juncture, the game shifted dramatically with the arrival of Dulana Induwara. After a cautious start, he anchored the innings, first putting on a valuable 47-run partnership with Ramesh Hemal to steady the ship. Following Ramesh’s departure, Dulana found an able ally in skipper Irusha Anujaya. The pair forged a game-defining partnership, accumulating a massive 145 runs that firmly placed MRC in the driving seat.
While skipper Irusha played the perfect anchor role, using soft hands and rotating the strike to keep the scoreboard moving despite a lower strike rate, Dulana was aggressive and launched a relentless assault on the DSS bowlers, finding the boundary with ease. In a spectacle rarely seen in school limited-over encounters, Dulana brought up a century. He went on to score a magnificent 128 runs off just 110 balls, smashing 17 boundaries and one massive six. During the final four overs, the DSS bowlers managed to stem the flow of runs, claiming a few quick wickets, but the damage had been done. Mahinda Rajapaksa College posted a formidable total of 272 for 9. For Defence Services School, skipper Luthika Binath and Nimitha Bimandiv were the most successful bowlers, claiming two wickets apiece.
Chasing a target of 273 on a true SSC wicket was by no means impossible, but Defence Services School got off to a disastrous start. Right-arm pacer Diman Lithsara was lethal with the new ball, removing openers Jehan George and Sandaru Sehas cheaply. The top-order collapse continued as DSS slumped to 32 for the loss of three frontline wickets. Skipper Luthika Binath and Vineth Sanvidu attempted a rescue act, pushing the score to 60, but the introduction of leg-spinner Denuwan Thrisanka changed the complexion of the game. Denuwan delivered a dazzling spell, claiming three wickets in quick succession to leave the lads from Defence Services reeling at 85 for 6.
Just when it seemed the game was slipping away, Isitha Ravisara and Vuthsara Okitha launched a counterattack. The duo batted with aggressive intent, putting pressure back on the MRC bowlers and lifting the score to 140. However, just as the momentum shifted, a disastrous run-out ended the promising partnership. Isitha Ravisara was unlucky to miss out on a well-deserved half-century, departing for a brilliant 47 that included five boundaries.
Despite losing partners at the other end, Vuthsara Okitha stood firm. Joining forces with number 10 batsman Nimitha Bimandiv, he resisted the MRC attack for the remaining 15.3 overs. Vuthsara hammered the bowlers all over the park in a desperate bid to chase the total, remaining unbeaten on 82, with nine boundaries and a huge six. The pair put on an unbroken 84-run stand, though Nimitha contributed just 14 runs to the cause. In the end, the early blows struck by Diman Lithsara and the spin magic of Denuwan Thrisanka proved too much to overcome. Vuthsara’s late surge was entertaining but insufficient to upset the odds.
Ultimately, Mahinda Rajapaksa College, Homagama, “got out of jail” after a brief scare during the Defence Services innings, securing a comprehensive 40-run victory. The win, driven by a superb batting performance and clutch bowling, ensures the Neela-Lohitha Trophy remains in their custody, capping off a successful big match season.
Brief Scorecard
Mahinda Rajapaksha College, Homagama – 272/9 (50 Overs)
Dulana Induwara 128, Irusha Anujaya 33, Ramesh Hemal 22, Randilu Disas 22, Nadun Bhgya 19, Denuwan Thrisanka 12,
Nimitha Bimandiv 53/2, Luthika Binath 53/2, Vuthsara Okitha 36/1, Thinon Rashmitha 37/1, Sithma Sakulith 38/1
Defence Services College, Colombo – 232/8 (50 Overs)
Vuthsara Okitha 82 n.o, Isitha Ravisara 47, Vineth Sanvidu 24, Nimitha Bimandiv 14 n.o, Luthika Binath 13, Jesith Shavidu 10
Denuwan Thrisanka 48/3, Diman Lithsara 37/2, Ramesh Hemal 32/1, Minula Meegahawatte 35/1
Mahinda Rajapaksha College, Homagama won by 40 runs.
Individual Awards
Player of the Match – Dulana Induwara (Mahinda Rajapaksha College)
Best Batter – Vuthsara Okitha (Defence Services College)
Best Bowler – Denuwan Thrisanka (Mahinda Rajapaksha College)
Best Fielder – Randilu Disas (Mahinda Rajapaksha College)
Photo Credit – Media Unit – Mahinda Rajapaksha College, Homagama
 unfolded recently at the historic Sinhalese Sports Club Cricket Ground (SSC Grounds) in Colombo 07. In a contest that lived up to the hype of a traditional big match, Mahinda Rajapaksa College, Homagama, displayed dominance to defeat their arch-rivals, Defence Services School (DSS), Colombo, by 40 runs. This victory marks a continuation of their fine rhythm, following their mammoth win in the preceding three-day encounter.){kind=link}