Peter’s got back on track with an easy 4 wicket victory over St Benedict’s College at St Peter’s College grounds.
The Peterites ended their group stage matches with a disappointing performance against S Thomas’ College few days before. Their major concern right throughout has been the lack of partnerships in the middle order. They will have to show better consistency if they are get through the knockout stages which will commence in the coming weeks.
Visitors won the toss and elected to bat first. They could not build up any partnership in order to post a good first innings score. Preterite seamers bowled exceptionally well with the new ball as well as the old ball. Both Manelka De Silva and Ravindu Silva bagged two wickets each up front leaving an easy task for the in form spinners. Bens were bundled out for a mere 135 runs in 53.1 overs. Victoria Roberto top scoring with 35 runs while Taneesha Weerakoon bagged 3 wickets for 19 runs.
The home side came onto bat in the second session of day one. Inesh Fernando showed dominance at the top of the order in the previous match against S Thomas’ but missed out on this match. It was the elegant Hashan Wanasekara who found his touch and scored his second century for this season. Hashan and Anishka Perera took the home side closer to the target before Anishka departed for a well made 39 runs. St Peter’s declared their innings at 246 for the loss of 9 wickets in 53 overs with a lead of 101. Geethal Fernando with figures of 4 for 62 for the visitors.
There wasn’t any difference in St Benedict’s 2nd innings, their intentions were clear as they tried to block their way out of an outright defeat. This time it was the spinners who rattled through the Bens batting line up. Skipper Vinu Mohotty after a brilliant match against S Thomas’ showed good control in the second innings and took 3 wickets for just 67 runs. While fresher and left arm leg spinner Sadesh Pathiranage bagged 3 for 49. It was Thulina Dilshan who scored a brilliant 71 runs which helped the visitors to reach 186 runs in 71.3 overs before getting bowled out.
Peter’s were left with a target of 75 runs in not many overs. The home side reached the target in 9.3 overs losing 6 wickets which gave them a 4 wicket victory over St Benedict’s College.
St. Benedicts College
1st Innings: 135 (53.1) Victorio Robeto 35, Taneesha Weerakoon 3/19, Manelka De Silva 2/19, Ravindu Silva 2/28
2nd innings: 186 (71.3) Thulina Dilshan 71, Vinu Mohotti 3/57, Sadesh Pathiranage 3/49
St Peter’s College
1st Innings: 246/9d (53) Hashan Wanasekara 100, Anishka Perera 39, Geethal Fernando 4/62
2nd Innings: 79/6 (9.3) Poorna Charuka 5/26
