Richmond College recovered from an early setback to post a formidable 257 runs for nine wickets in their first innings on the opening day of their 109th annual Lovers’ Quarrel inter school Big Match against the traditional rivals Mahinda College which began at the Galle Stadium today.
Richmond College then consolidated their position with a fine performance on the field as they restricted their opponents to 82 runs for three wickets in reply at stumps.
Richmond College were under pressure at the beginning as they slumped to a dangerous 38 for four wickets as the cream of their batting were back in the pavilion within the first one hour of play.
However dynamic all rounder and Sri Lanka youth cap A. K. Tyron came into their rescue with one of the most fascinating centuries in the Big Match series to help Richmond College to reach an impressive total at the end.
The Richmond skipper batting at number six played a heroic innings while keeping one end occupied as he hammered a magnificent 137 from 147 deliveries inclusive of four sixes and thirteen boundaries.
In fact Tyron’s contribution was more than half of the team’s total as he played a lone innings to pull his side out of trouble with only Pasindu Bimsara, Wanindu Hasaranga and Sithara Gimhana making a significant impact with the bat.
The highest partnership of the innings was the seventh wicket stand of 68 runs between Tyron and Pasindu Bimsara while Tyron added a further 65 runs for the ninth wicket along with Bhanuka Madupriya.
Both these partnerships were really crucial for Richmond College as they managed to put up a healthy total on the board at the end after a disastrous start to their innings.
Mahinda College of course threw away a great opportunity of taking the initiative as they failed to add the finishing touches and wrap up the innings having done all the hard work in the beginning.
Mahinda in reply have already lost three of their top batsmen and they are still trailing by 175 runs on the first innings with seven wickets in hand.
Richmond College: 257 for 9 declared (A. K. Tyron 137, Pasindu Bimsara 34, Wanindu Hasaranga 25, Sithara Gimahan 20, Saveen Nanayakkara 19, Dulash Udayanga 2 for 22, Sachithana Samarawickrame 2 for 22, Thamith Kalhara 2 for 28, Malith Mahela 2 for 96)
Mahinda College: 82 for 3 (Malith Mahela 32 n. o, Ishara Akalanaka 18, Waruna Deshapriya 1 for 11, Wanindu Hasaranga 1 for 21)
