66th Battle of the Golds: Cambrians fight back to save the day
Cambrian Shavinda Fernando played a stubborn knock to help his side recover after St. Sebastian’s dominated the first day - Pic by Ranjith Perera
The 66th Battle of the Golds between St. Sebastian’s College and Prince of Wales College ended in a stalemate, adding the 57th draw of the series, at the De Soyza Stadium in Moratuwa yesterday. The Sebastianites had the wand in their hands prior to the match but the Cambrians staved off well to end the game to save their camp.
Prince of Wales batted sensibly than in their first innings to reach 149 for the loss of four wickets, chasing a target of 230 runs after St. Sebastian’s made a sporty declaration. In contrast to their first innings, St. Sebastian’s batsmen played swiftly to declare at 182 for the loss of 6 wickets in just 27 overs. Skipper Avishka Fernando top scored for the Sebs with an exploring knock of 70, which earned him the Best Batsman award of the encounter. Supporting him was the Best Allrounder of the game, Mishen Silva who hammered 63. Dilesh Nanayakkara picked three wickets while Dilanka Maduranga claimed two in the background where the Cambrians were left to chase a moderate target with almost two sessions left.
Despite attempting to reach the winning post, losing wickets at regular intervals slowed down their intentions, as they ended the game at 149-4, 80 runs behind the target. Vishwa Chathuranga top scored with 55 while Vihanga Weerakkody remained unbeaten on 42.
Resuming from their overnight score of 89-8, a stubborn knock of 33 not out from Savindu Peiris helped Prince of Wales end their first innings’ reply in a respectable position at 141 runs. But they still fell 49 runs short of St. Sebastian’s first innings total of 188. Cambrian skipper Thilan Nimesh, who claimed three top Sebastians wickets in the first innings was named the Best Bowler. St. Sebastian’s Sandaruwan Fernando was adjudged the Best Fielder. The Limited Overs encounter between the two schools, which was scheduled to be played today, which was declared a national mourning day, will now be played on March 27.
St. Sebastian’s 188 all out in 46.5 overs (Praveen Perera 29, Sandaruwan Fernando 17, Tharusha Fernando 27, Nimesh Bandara 44n.o, Praveen Jayawickrama 23, Dilanga Maduranga 3 for 33, Savindu Peiris 2 for 42) and 182 for 6 wickets in 27 overs declared (Avishka Fernando 70, Mishen Silva 63, Dilesh Nanayakkara 3 for 42, Dilanka Maduranga 2 for 55)
Prince of Wales (89-8 overnight) 141 all out in 76.3 overs (Savinda Fernando 33n.o, Praveen Jayawickrama 3 for 33, Nimesh Bandara 2 for 33) and 149 for 4 wickets in 41 overs at close (Vishwa Chathuranga 65, Vihanga Weerakkody 42n.o, Praveen Jayawickrama 2 for 60)