Royal College Colombo commenced their under 19 Cricket campaign for 2015/16 with a draw against traditional rivals St John’s College Jaffna.
In an encounter revived during the 2013/14 season after an absence of 48 years, saw the Boys from Reid Avenue making their journey to Jaffna with successive wins under their belt in the last two years.
Winning the toss, the hosts welcomed Royal College to bat. Despite Ronuka Jayawardena’s resilient 42, a crippled middle order resulted the Royal innings to cease at 146. V. Jathushan took 4 for 34.
The reply by St John’s was however hampered by the formidable pace attack by the Royalists as they were bowled out for 81. Himesh Ramanayake took 5 scalps while Geeshath Panditharathne and Lasith Ambuldeniya took 2 wickets each.
With a first innings lead of 65 runs, the Royalists were struggling again at 37/3 at close, on a day dominated by bowlers which saw the fall of 23 wickets.
Resuming from their overnight score, Royal went on to score 195/6 before declaring at lunch and setting a target of 261 for the home side. Stumper Thiran Danapala top scored with 67 while Helitha Withanage and skipper Geeshath Panditharathne made 47 and 38 respectively.
Despite the daunting target against the strong Royal attack, St John’s survived at 216/8 at conclusion. Jenny Flemin dazzled with a fluent 65 while V. Jathushan’s unbeaten 50 run cameo proved priceless in the end.
Chief Scores –
First innings
Royal College – 146 all out in 53 overs. (Ronuka Jayawardena 42, Ganith Sandeepa 21; V Jathushan 4 for 34, J. Nilojan 4 for 43, J. Kabilraj 4 for 43)
St. John’s College – 81 all out in 23 overs (Himesh Ramanayake 5 for 17, Geeshath Panditharathne 2 for 11, Lasith Ambuldeniya 2 for 34)
Second innings
Royal College – 195/6 in 51 overs (Thiran Danapala 67, Helitha Withanage 47, Geeshath Panditharathane 38; K Kabilraj 2 for 37)
St. John’s College – 216/8 in 63 overs. (Jenny Flemin 65, V. Jathushan 50*, J. Kishanthujan 38; Lasith Ambuldeniya 3 for 88, Malith Kariyawasam 2 for 44, Ganith Sandeepa 2 for 37)
Result – Match drawn
