This encounter should be a close tussle
Dharmapala College led by Prashan Rathnayaka registered a nine-wicket win to take a 1-0 lead at the 4th encounter in 2015. The limited over encounter, the second in the series, will be played at the same venue on April 2.
Dharmapala College First XI 2017 Seated from left: Varuna Withanakanda (POG), Sarath Weerasinghe (Assistant MIC), Kanishka Jayasundara (Captain), Oshara Panditharathne (Principal), Mahima Weerakoon (Vice Captain), Sujith Liyanage (MIC), Sanjaya Devapura (Coach) Standing from left: Amila Dayanaka, Vihan Hansaja, Chaminda Samarasinghe, Kisal Devmina, Eranga Sandeepa, Tharindu Sadaruwan, Hashantha Vishwajith, Avishka Hasavinda, Chethiya Shanuka, Dulaj Ashen, Sasika Dilshan, Malith Sadakelum, Gimhan Munasinghe, Thisara Sisara
The big match between Rahula Matara and Dharmapala Pannipitiya was first played in 2012, is also known as the Battle of the Golden Lions. The inaugural encounter was hosted by Rahula at Uyanwatta Stadium while Dharmapala have hosted the big match at the Tyronne Fernando Stadium in Moratuwa.
Rahula play in Division II of the schools cricket tournament and have fared creditably well by topping their group and securing a semi-final berth in the two-day Knockout Tournament. Dharmapala, who play in Division I of the schools tournament have not been able to get their act together and narrowly missed being demoted to the lower division. Having being privileged to watch both teams play this season and on taking their overall performance into consideration they seem to be evenly matched with Rahula having a slight edge over their hosts.
Rahula College led by Pasan Samarathunga will be selected from Piruna Hewamadduma (vice captain), Sasith Manuranga, Hasindu Chanaka, Nuwan Madhusanka, Chamuditha Dilshan, Uditha Induwara, Sajitha Rajapaksha, Heshan Dilhara, Bhagya Himath, Binara Sanketh, Pasindu Sasanka, Yuraj Chalaka, Janidu Mihiran, Ovin Nuhansith and Lankindu Chamodya.
The boys from down south are coached by Indika Jayasekera who has Ranil Rasanga as his assistant while Viraj Hettiarachchi is the master-in-charge of the team.
Rahula College First XI 2017 Seated from left: Sasith Manuranga, Piruna Hewamadduma (Vice Captain), Ranil Rasanga (Assistant Coach), Viraj Hettiarachchi (MIC), Nihal Abeywickrema (Deputy Principal - Sports), Francis Welage (Principal), S.H. Percy Ranaraja (POG), Indika Jayasekera (Coach), Pasan Samarathunga (Captain), Hasindu Chanaka, Nuwan Madhusanka Standing from left: Chamuditha Dilshan, Uditha Induwara, Sajitha Rajapaksha, Heshan Dilhara, Bhagya Himath, Binara Sanketh, Pasindu Sasanka, Yuraj Chalaka, Janidu Mihiran, Ovin Nuhansith, Lankindu Chamodya
Khanishka Jayasundera leads the Dharmapala XI to the sixth encounter and has Mahima Weerakoon as his deputy. The playing XI will be selected from Amila Dayanaka, Vihan Hansaja, Chaminda Samarasinghe, Kisal Devmina, Eranga Sandeepa, Tharindu Sadaruwan, Hashantha Vishwajith, Avishka Hasavinda, Chethiya Shanuka, Dulaj Ashen, Sasika Dilshan, Malith Sadakelum, Gimhan Munasinghe and Thisara Sisara.
The team from western region is coached by Sanjaya Devapura with Sujith Liyanage as assistant coach and Sarath Liyanage as master-in-charge.