Tharindu Rathnayake’s 15 wickets in the match (first innings 7/17, second innings 8-42) sealed an innings and 54 run victory for S. Thomas College Mount Lavinia and retained the Sathasivam trophy.
Winning the toss and electing to field, Wesley College could not make their decision pay off as the Thomian opening pair stood firm in the first hour of play.
Wesley College finally managed to break the opening stand in the 16th over of the game when fast bowler Heltha Bambaranda dismissed Ravindu Sasanka for 29 runs. Yohan Mendis was the star in the first innings for S Thomas as he scored 57 runs to lead the school by the sea to a respectable total of 240/10 in 56 overs.
Reshana Senevirathne was the pick of the bowlers for Wesley as he managed to bag 4 wickets. Andrew Parais picked 3 wickets, while Heltha Bambaranda and Charith Mitsuka picked 1 wicket each.
Following an excellent batting display, the Thomians went out to field on a high and their hard work paid off as they broke the Wesley opening stand in the 2nd over of the game. From then on Wesley was on the slide with wickets falling at regular intervals and they ended day one in dire straits as they were 80 for the loss of 7 wickets.
Zenith Wickramanayake tried his best to revive the Wesley innings but without help from the opposite end he was left stranded on 33 as Wesley could only add another 3 runs to their overnight score and ended their first innings at 83/10 in 44 overs.
Heltha Bambaranda was the only other batsman to get into double figures for Wesley as he scored 17 runs. Tharindu Rathnayake was the star with the ball picking up 7 wickets for only 17 runs.
Requested to follow on by the Thomian captain, Wesley College found themselves in yet another tough position as they were 58 for the loss of 5 wickets at the lunch interval.
When Wesley College youngster Jason De Silva was dismissed just three overs after lunch, they found themselves in deep trouble.The Wesley tail fought hard but did not manage any resistance as they were all out for 103 in 50 overs.
Andrew Parais was the highest scorer in the second innings for Wesley as he managed 23 runs in 71 balls. Tharindu Rathnayake was the spear-head with the ball as he ran through the Wesley innings taking 8 wickets for 42 runs.
With this win S. Thomas College successfully managed to retain the Sathasivam throphy for yet another year.
Chief Scores:
St. Thomas College, Mnt 1st innings – 240 in 55.2 overs (Yohan Mendis 57, Nipuna Gamage 47, Reshana Senavirathne 4/40, Andrew Parais 3/61)
Wesley College 1st innings – 83 in 44 overs. (Zenith Wickramanayaka 33*, Tharindu Rathnayake 7/17)
F/O Wesley College 2nd Innings – 103 in 50.1 overs. (Andrew Parais 23, Tharindu Rathnayaka 8-42 Sachithra Jayathilaka 2-00)
