The remaining semifinals played for day 1 concluded today with Trinity College, Kandy, and St. Peter’s College, Colombo, securing their spots in the Tier ‘A’ and Tier ‘B’ finals, respectively.
At Bambalapitiya, Trinity College, Kandy, got the better of Mahanama College, Colombo, in the first innings, which was enough for the Kandy side to go through to the finals. Mahanama College resumed their innings this morning to surpass Trinity College’s 228, set by their batters in the first innings yesterday.
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Sri Lanka U19 national youth cap Dinuka Thennakoon completely shattered the Mahanama innings by picking up 5 wickets for 44 runs. Even though Rashmika Perera was battling it alone for his alma mater, he was left stranded alone at the other end with all the other batsmen back in the pavilion. Ultimately, Mahanama College was 34 runs short of what Trinity College got in their first innings.
St. Peter’s College turned the tables by mounting a remarkable comeback to win their semi-final match against Isipathana College even after getting bundled out for a mere 128 runs in their 1st innings.
The game, resuming for day two, Isipathana College’s first innings total was restricted to 144, largely due to the brilliant performance by St. Peter’s vice-captain Shennon Rodrigo, who ended with figures of 6 for 39. This gave Isipathana only a slight advantage of 16 runs in the first innings.
Isipathana College dominated the match against the Peterites until the Peterite captain and his team launched an onslaught against the Pathana bowlers. St. Peter’s got to 195 in just 30 overs with skipper Vishen Halmabage scoring a blistering 76 off just 50 deliveries.
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Isipathana College began their second innings intending to survive the remaining overs and achieve the target set by the Peterites. However, the Peterite spinners dismantled Isipathana’s second innings, restricting them to just 119 runs, leaving them 60 runs short of their target. Lashmika Perera and Dilana Damsra starred with the ball by picking up 4 and 3 wickets apiece for the Peterites, respectively.
Brief Scores :
Trinity College, Kandy 228 (89.2) Dimantha Mahavithana 68, Vathila Udara 45, Manula Kularathne 38, Inuka Karannagoda 6/71, Koojana Perera 3/27
Mahanama College, Colombo 194 (74.1) Rashmika Perera 90*, Dulnith Sigera 31, Dinuka Thennakoon 5/44, Manula Kualaratne 2/30
Result – Match Drawn (Trinity College, Kandy won 1st innings lead)
St. Peter’s College Colombo 128 (52.4) Ishira Ayupala 28, Sithuka Gunawardene 4/49, Dasith Senal 2/7, Thithira Sansira 2/14 & 195/9d (30) Vishen Halambage 76, Ishira Ayupala 32, Sithuka Gunawardene 3/77
Isipathana College, Colombo 144 (56.2) Ruchith Rodrigo 42, Chanula Dinodh 29, Shennon Rodrigo 6/39, Lashmika Perera 3/38 & 119 (57.3) Lesandu Kalpage 26, Lashmika Perera 4/19, Dilana Damasara 3/20, Shennon ROdrigo 2/51
Result – St. Peter’s College Colombo won by 60 runs
