St. Sebastian’s College, Moratuwa claimed their rightful place in the under 15 division 1 final when they beat the President’s College, Kotte outfit by 115 runs in the semi-final encounter worked out at MCA grounds on Wednesday.
Sebastanite skipper Tharusha Fernando won the toss and elected to bat first without any hesitation. The boys from Moratuwa got off to a blazing start as their opening pair of Nuwanidu Fernando and Nishitha Abilash made 91 runs for the 1st wicket before the latter was dismissed for a well-made half-century. Nuwanidu continued to anchor the innings as he too got past the half-century mark and he was the 3rd to be dismissed for 58 and he put on another valuable 63-run partnership for the 3rd wicket with Gihan Senanayake. Fernando played out 92 deliveries to score his 58 runs while Senanayake made 43 runs in 52 balls.
Sebastanite lower order failed to prosper as they were all out for 237 after being 200 for 3 at one stage. Left-arm medium seamer Rifas Mauros captured 3 scalps for 46 runs and his opening bowling partner Chamod Wickramasooriya was the most impressive bowler taking 3 wickets for 37 runs in his allotted 10 overs.
Chasing 238 runs for the victory, the lads from Kotte got off to a decent start as their top order batsmen negotiated the early pressure as they were 65 for 1 at the 20 over mark with Captain Ganindu Dewminda and Hashan Priyadharshana steadying the ship. Sebastian spinners got into the act on time as they removed both the well-set batsmen for 28 and 22 respectively.
President’s batsmen found run making difficult as the Sebastian bowlers chipped in at regular intervals to scalps wickets as they were finally bundled out for 122 in the 42nd over. Captain and opening bowler Tharusha Fernando captured 2 wickets while off-spin bowler Praveen Cooray grabbed 2 wickets.
St. Sebastian’s College, Moratuwa will take on Ananda College, Colombo 10 in the final which will be played on the 30th of August (Saturday) at R.Premadasa International Stadium.
Chief Scores:
St. Sebastian’s – 237 all out in 49.4 overs: Nuwanidu Fernando 58, Nishitha Abilash 50, Gihan Senanayake 43 Chamod Wickramasooriya 3/37, Rifas Mauros 3/46.
President’s – 122 all out in 41.2 overs: Gamidu Dewminda 28, Hashan Priyadarshana 22, Vimukthi Lanka 21, Praveen Cooray 2/18, Tharusha Fernando 2/25.
