The historic Asgiriya Stadium played host to yet another chapter of one of Central Province’s most celebrated rivalries. In the 21st edition of the encounter between A. Rathnayake Central College, Walala (the Rathiyans), and Nugawela Central College (the Welans), cricket fans were treated to a display of pure talent and cohesive teamwork. At the end of a dominant two-day affair, it was the Rathiyans who walked away with a resounding victory, winning by an innings and 52 runs.
Winning the toss and opting to field first, Walala’s skipper made a tactical decision, inviting Nugawela to bat on a fresh surface that offered early moisture and swing. The decision paid immediate dividends, though not before the Nugawela openers, Nihara Polkotuwa and Themiya Herath, showed grit. The duo resisted the new-ball attack for nearly 19 overs, surviving the crucial early hours.
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However, the pressure mounted as the run rate stagnated. Off-spinner Malindu Pawan eventually broke the deadlock, dismissing the stubborn Nihara Polkotuwa. The introduction of leg-spinner Ravindu Imantha proved to be the turning point, as he castled Sadeepa Kaushal to trigger a catastrophic collapse. From a relatively comfortable 42 for 1, the Welans plummeted to 66 for 8 in the blink of an eye.
A brief recovery effort by Theekashana Karunaratne and Avantha Premarathne, who added 33 runs for the ninth wicket, offered a momentary sigh of relief. Yet, paceman Desindu Hansana had other ideas. Demonstrating true grit with the ball, Hansana ripped through the tail to complete a rare six-wicket haul, bundling Nugawela out for 110 in their first innings.
Chasing a modest total, Walala’s reply got off to a disastrous start. Left-arm paceman Kaveesha Lakshan delivered a peach of a delivery to dismiss opener Thimira Sadamina off the very first ball of the innings. Avantha Premarathne then struck in his first over, removing Malshan Jayawardhane for a duck. When Venura Dhinaksha departed with the score at 20 for 3, the Rathiyans were in deep trouble.
The rescue mission was launched by Desindu Hansana and Malindu Pawan. The pair constructed a magnificent 88-run partnership to wrest control back for Walala. Just as Hansana looked set, he fell for a valuable 36 to part-timer Lakshan Wathsala. The middle order struggled initially, with Chamika Prabashwara adopting an ultra-defensive approach while Malindu Pawan anchored the innings. Their 46-run partnership proved crucial before Chamika fell for 9.
The stage was set for Malindu Pawan to reach a well-deserved century. However, in a cruel twist of fate, he was undone by a brilliant delivery from paceman Avantha Premarathne, falling just six runs short of the milestone. His innings of 94, decorated with 10 boundaries and a massive six, was the backbone of the Walala batting effort. The tailenders managed to push the score past the 200-run mark before the innings eventually ended at 205.
For Nugawela, Avantha Premarathne was a constant threat, finishing with a brilliant five-wicket haul.
Trailing by 95 runs, Nugawela Central College began their second innings with a survival mindset. Openers Janidu Shehara and Themiya Herath negotiated a cautious five-over spell, scoring just 13 runs. However, the resistance was short-lived. A serious miscommunication resulted in a run-out, opening the floodgates.
From there, it was a procession of wickets. The Walala bowlers, sensing blood, ruthlessly dismantled the opposition lineup. The lads from Nugawela dug their own grave with a disastrous display of running between the wickets, suffering a total of three run-outs. The innings folded meekly for just 43 runs.
Malindu Pawan, having starred with the bat, seamlessly switched roles to lead the bowling attack, claiming four wickets. He was well supported by Desindu Hansana, who chipped in with three wickets. Pawan, who finished with seven wickets in the match in addition to his match-winning knock of 94, was deservedly named Player of the Match.
With this dominant performance, A. Rathnayake Central College, Walala not only secured the title in the 21st edition of the encounter but did so with a statement of intent. Their innings-and-52-run victory was a testament to their depth, character, and the quality that continues to define this storied rivalry.
Scorecard in Brief
Nugawela Central College – 110 all out (49.5 overs)
Theekashana Karunaratne 29, Themiya Herath 25, Janidu Shehara 11, Avantha Premarathne 10
Desindu Hansana 22/6, Malindu Pawan 34/3, Ravindu Imantha 21/1
A. Rathnayake Central College, Walala – 205 all out (58 overs)
Malindu Pawan 94, Desindu Hansana 36, Ravindu Imantha 21, Mohommed Younus 16, Venura Dhinaksha 10
Avantha Premarathne 24/5, Kaveesha Lakshan 19/1, Lakshan Wathsala 25/1, Sadeepa Kaushal 36/1
Nugawela Central College – 43 all out (24.4 overs)
Janindu Shehara 12, Kaweesha Watagoda 09, Nihara Polkotuwa 08
Malindu Pawan 22/4, Desindu Hansana 15/3
A. Rathnayaka Central College, Walala won by innings and 52 runs
