Royal
outclass Dharmapala while Nalanda crush Thurstan
Schools Cricket Review by M. Shamil AMIIT
Four outright wins were recorded in the Elephant Lemonade Cup inter-schools
cricket matches for the week ending (Friday-January). Two wins were
in the top division where the Royalists completely outclassed Dharmapala
by innings while Nalanda crushed Thurstan by nine wickets. The other
two wins was in the lower division where Ananda Sastralaya Kotte
coming out for the first time began the season in style when they
defeated Moratu MV by 137 runs while the other win was recorded
by President's College Maharagama who beat Alethea College Dehiwala
by 121 runs which was their second successive win. The rest of the
games ended in first innings wins.
Royal vs Dharmapala at Reid Avenue
Royal were successful this time when they crushed the
hapless Dharmapalians by an innings and ten runs, as last week they
were denied victory by St Anthony's Katugastota. The Royalists playing
in their home ground raking first lease of the wicket helped by
three half centuries from skipper Tharaka Kottehewa (64), D. Edasuriya
(83) and Naveen Dias (54) made an imposing 295 for 8 declared. Dharmapalians
in their turn ended the first days play on 60 for 3.
Nalanda vs Thurstan at Campbell Place
At last Nalanda found the winning post when they crushed
Thurstan by nine wickets to record their first outright win for
the season. The Thurstanites who took first lease of the wicket
were given a rude shock when they were bundled out for just 52 with
Prasad Kariyawasam (5 for 21 and skipper Madura Warnapura being
the wreckers. The Nalandians in reply went for quick runs and declared
their innings on 210 for 8 with two sons of prominent cricketers
Bandula Warnapura and the late Anura Ranasinghe, Madura (36), Tharun
Ranasinghe (40) and Yasas Hewavitharana (40) being the chief scorers.
Ananda Sastralaya vs Moratu MV at Kotte
Ananda Sastralaya Kotte began the season's campaign in
style when they defeated Moratu MV by 137 runs. A result was on
the cards at the end of the first days play with the Sastralians
batting first and helped by a fine knock of 105 from Supun Perera
making 231 and then they bowled out the Moratu boys for 168. The
Sastralians batting again ended the day on 35 for 2.
The
second day produced some fireworks with the Sastralians resuming
making a formidable 269 for 8 before declaring, thanks to two half
centuries by Sagara Wijemanne (61) and Roshan Laksiri (56). Moratu
MV chasing a massive victory target of 333 were bundled out for
196.
President's Maharagama vs Alethea Dehiwala at Athurugiriya
President's College Maharagama recorded their second outright
for the season when beat Alethea College Dehiwala by 121 runs. The
architech of the win was the century scored by Madushan Costa (102).
While a fine effort put in by Alethean bowler Manoj Nilanka who
took 7 for 49 was in vain. President's Maharagama taking first lease
made 188 with Dilanka Vikum and Udara Alugolla being the main contributors
and the Aletheans were able to muster only 133. Batting the second
time President's made 228 for 5 declared which left the Aletheans
a target of 278 but were bowled out for 157.
Isipathana vs DSS at BRC grounds
This game went to the wire and ended in a thriller with
both sides in a chance of pulling off the game. At the end of the
first days it was poised for an interesting finish, as both sides
ending their innings in low scores. The Isipathanians batting first
made 112 but came back with vengeance to bundled out their opponents
for 91 with Nilanchan Sankalpa the wrecker taking 5 for 36. Batting
the second time the home team were sitting pretty on 65 for 2.
Lumbini MV vs Revatha MMV at Colts grounds
Lumbini MV were unfortunate in not being able to gain
an outright win. They were unable to dislodge the last pair which
stood like a rock. Lumbini taking first lease of the wicket scored199
and Revatha MMV in reply made 157. Batting the second time Lumbini
spearheaded by skipper Maduranga Soysa's unbeaten 54 made 174 for
5 declared which left Revatha MVV 226 for a win. Spinner Malinda
Pushpakumara with figures of 6 for 33 had them struggling on 108
for 9. |
