Royal College vice-captain Thiran Dhanapala became only the fourth player this season to score 1000 runs after Himasha Liyanage (Dharmapala), Sanjula Abeywickrama (Isipathana) and Dilan Jayalath (Trinity) when he engaged in a composed century against St. Aloysius College, Galle during the Pre-quarter final of the U19 tournament encounter played at Reid Avenue. The ultimate stalemate meant that Royal qualifies for the quarterfinal which will be played next week.
Batting first, St. Aloysius were bowled out for 197. Opener Nilusha Dulmina braced in with 63 runs while Hareen Buddhika’s cameo added 30 more. Lasith Embuldeniya was the pick of the bowler for Royal as he grabbed 3 scalps, taking his tally to 113.
Royal, being 62/2 at overnight was put in the driving seat courtesy of a 158 run stand which was shared between Ronuka Jayawardene, Geeshath Panditharatne and Thiran Dhanapala. Geeshath missed out on his third consecutive ton for Royal after being dismissed by Navindu Nirmal for 94.
Fresher Ronuka Jayawardene reached his half ton before being stumped in the following delivery. But Thiran continued his way to 99, storing 1000 runs before prodding to his fourth ton of the season. It was a calm and well poised century, a different sight from the power hitter. He ended up on an unbeaten 143 while Royal amassed their highest ever team total for the season, remaining 398/8 at close.
Chief Scores –
St. Aloysius College 1st innings – 197 all out (53.4 overs) (Nilusha Dulmina 63, Hareen Buddhika 30; Lasith Embuldeniya 3 for 68, Helitha Withanage 2 for 28)
Royal College 1st innings – 398/8 (113 overs) (Thiran Dhanapala 143*, Geeshath Panditharatne 94, Ronuka Jayawardene 50; Praboda Guruge 2 for 33, Yasas Praboda 2 for 33, Gihan Niroshan 2 for 63)
Result – Match drawn (Royal proceed to the QFs on points)
S. Thomas’ College vs De Mazenod College
At Mount Lavinia, S. Thomas’ College crushed De Mazenod by innings and 68 runs to claim their quarterfinal berth at the U 19 tournament this season. Their first innings score of a mammoth 342 was fused by Dilendra Gunathilake and Rashmika Opatha who made 70 and 53 respectively. Sangeeth Deshan took 4 for 65 for the visitors.
De Mazenod in their first essay crumbled for 120 while Thomian captain Sachitha Jayathilake and Ravindu Thilakaratne were behind the carnage bagging four a piece.
Forced with a follow on, De Mazenod were bowled out, this time for 154 runs in 37 overs. Sachitha and Ravindu dazzled yet again sharing 7 scalps between them sealing a comprehensive win for the Thomians.
Chief Scores –
S. Thomas’ 1st innings – 342 all out (64.1 overs) (Dilendra Gunathilake 70, Rashmika Opatha 53; Sangeeth Deshan 4 for 65, Akash Senaratne 2 for 63)
De Mazenod College 1st innings – 120 all out (44.1 overs) (Sangeeth Deshan 31, Lasith Coosepulle 26, Sachitha Jayathilake 4 for 26, Ravindu Thilakaratne 4 for 47, Senal De Silva 2 for 19)
De Mazenod College 2nd innings (F/O) – 154 all out (37 overs) (Krishan Sanjula 45, Akash Seneviratne 28, Sachitha Jayathilake 4 for 37, Ravindu Thilakaratne 3 for 45, Senal De Silva 2 for 36)
Result – S. Thomas’ won by innings and 68 runs
, Sanjula Abeywickrama (Isipathana) and Dilan Jayalath (Trinity) when he engaged in a composed century against St. Aloysius College, Galle during the pre-quarterfinal if the U 19 tournament encounter played at Reid Avenue. The ultimate stalemate meant that Royal qualifies for the quarterfinal which will be played next week. ){kind=link}