S. Thomas’ College, St. Joseph’s College and Dharmaraja College ended day one in their respective under 19 division one tournament encounters on a high note as another busy schools cricket weekend commenced on Friday.
S. Thomas’ College vs St. Peter’s College
After being bowled out for only 203, Thomians came back strongly to claim six Peterite wickets at Bambalapitiya.
The Thomian skipper Helakamal Nanayakkara made a fighting 63 while all-rounder Tharindu Rathnayake chipped in with 45 as the visitors writhed with the bat early on after the Peterite bowling unit led by off-spinner Taneesha Weerakoon defused the Thomian top order. Taneesha and his partner in crime, left-armer Ashantha Malka claimed five scalps between them.
The hosts in their chase, struggled to score runs as right-arm seamer Dulanja Silva scalped three wickets and only the Peterite skipper Chandula Jayamanne scored a fighting 23 as the Thomians restricted the Peterites to only 83 for 6.
Chief Scores:
STC – 203 all out in 68 overs: Helakamal Nananayakkara 63, Tharindu Rathnayake 45, Yohan Mendis 32, Taneesha Weerakoon 3/57, Manelkar De Silva 2/33, Ashanth Malka 2/38.
SPC – 83/6 in 26 overs: Chandula Jayamanna 23, Dulanja Silva 3/8, Kanishka Perera 2/21.
Nalanda College vs Dharmaraja College
Lahiru Samarakoon’s five-wicket haul helped Dharmaraja College bundle Nalanda College for only 166 at Kandy.
Right-hander Dasun Senevirathne played a sensible knock of 60 but others failed against the bowling partnership of Lahiru Samarakoon and Wenuka Galahitiyawa as they shared 8 wickets to bowl out the visitors for 166 in just 49 overs. Ruchira Pupulewatta made 35 runs with the bat as Rajans replied with 111 for 3 at close of play.
Chief Scores:
Nalanda – 166 all out in 49 overs: Dasun Senavirathne 60, Lahiru Samarakoon 5/46, Wenuka Galahitiyawa 3/39.
Dharmaraja – 111/3 in 24.4 overs: Ruchira Pupulewatta 35.
St. Joseph’s College vs Moratu Maha Vidyalaya
Skipper Pathum Madusanka made an unbeaten 87 as St. Joseph’s College took the lead after day one’s proceedings in their match at Darley Road against Moratu Maha Vidyalaya.
Left-arm spinner Malshan Rodrigo claimed a three-wicket haul while off-spinner Hashindra Perera and fast-bowler Jehan Daniel captured two wickets apiece as the hosts restricted the boys from Moratuwa for only 118. Kalpana Fernando made the highest score with 28.
Josephians in their reply ended day one at 169 for 5 with skipper Pathum Madusanka making an unbeaten 87.
Chief Scores:
Moratu Vidyalaya – 119 all out in 40.4 overs: Kalpana Fernando 28, Malshan Rodrigo 3/28, Hashindra Perera 2/24, Jehan Daniel 2/37.
St. Josephs – 169/5 in 38 overs: Pathum Madushanka 87*, Nipun Randika 3/20.
Trinity College vs Wesley College
Frontrunners in the current season and favourites to win the title, Trinity College had to face a rare struggle with the bat against Wesley College at Bloomfield grounds.
The dangerous spin duo of Duvindu Tillakarathne and Raveen Sayer bamboozled Wesley College early on to dismiss the hosts for 166. Right handed Reshana Senevirathne made a fighting 38. Trinitians lost 5 wickets for only 55 runs within 19 overs at the latter stages of the first day as Wesley College fought back gallantly with the ball.
Chief Scores:
Wesley College – 166 all out in 78.1 overs: Reshana Senavirathne 38, Duvindu Thilakarathne 4/44, Raveen Sayer 3/59.
Trinity College – 55/5 in 19 overs: Dilan Jayalath 18, Jonathan Caderamanpulle 2/17.
