Another draw at Moratuwa

By M. Shamil Amit

Randika Fernando of St. Sebastian’s in action - Pic by Ranjith Perera

The 57th Battle of the Golds between St Sebastian's and Prince of Wales concluded at the De Zoysa Stadium in Moratuwa yesterday petered out to another drab draw. The writing was on the wall of an inevitable draw when the Cambrians declared their second essay at 177 for 9 leaving the Sebs an impossible target of 171 for victory in just 16 overs. But playing some positive cricket the Sebs ended at 71 for 2.

Earlier in the day Sebs resuming on their overnight score of 136 for for 5 went on to surpass the Cambrians score of 192 with Randika Fernando making 50 and Cambrian bowlers Chamesh Fernando and Shivantha Kumara taking three scalps each.

In the Cambrian second inning Pishan Hewage top scored for them with a stylish knock of 87 helping them declare at 177 for 9. For St. Sebastian’s Randika Fernando who top scored with a half a century, was among the wickets with 3 for 36.

Prince of Wales 192 and 177 for 9 declared in 51.4 overs (Pishan Hewage 87, Gayath Mendis 27, Rumesh Thirimanne 22. Randika Fernando 3 for 36, Charith Fernando 2 for 54)

St Sebastian's (136/5 o'night) 198 in 62.2 overs (Randika Fernando 50, Rajitha Mendis 37, Gerald Bennette 29, Sachintha Cooray 28.; Chamesh Fernando 3 for 32, Shivantha Kumara 3 for 45) and 71 for 2 in 16 overs (Trevin Fernando 31, Rajitha Mendis 21 n.o.; Sanka Peiris 2 for 13)