Sports
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Nadun
has Nalanda in a spin
Fresher Nadun Punchihewa, who had a match-winning, match bag of 10 for 41 against Dharmapala to help Royal win by an innings and 10 runs with his wily left -arm spin bowling, again spun a web around Nalanda and had their middle; order in a spin as they crashed to 108 for 8 at lunch. But a gritty ninth wicket stand between Buddhika Hettiarachi and Tarun Ranasinghe helped them take the total to 150 for 8 at lunch ,Hettiarachchi batting aggressively was 34 n.o. with 5 fours, while Ranasinghe playing a subdued knock held on grimly with 16 n.o. After the luncheon break, Hettiarachchi fell to Punchihewa for 41 runs with 8 fours made in 57 balls. The stubborn ninth wkt stand realised 61 in valuable runs bringing some respectability to the Nalanda total. Ranasinghe was the last man out for 36 runs with a 6 made in 114 balls. Punchihewa was among the wickets again with fine figures of 21-4-46-5. Royal in reply had opener Nanayakkara and Premaratne run out cheaply through two sharp throws to the stumps and had them stranded. The Royal running between the wickets was poor in general. Fresher Ajit Bandara batting confidently made a praiseworthy 31 with 3 fours. The batsman in form Naveen Dias who made 162 not out against St. Anthony's and followed up with a perky 57 against Dharmapala continued his good touch. Timing the ball beautifully, Dias joined by Janith Jayawardena put Royal in control. The pair showed scant respect to the Nalanda attack on a scorching outfield to post a 52-run unbeaten stand giving Royal the advantage at end of day one. Dias was on 42 made in 62 balls with four fours. Janith made 20 with 2 fours, Royal sitting pretty at 142 for 3, should go on the run-chase for an early declaration when play begins today at 9.30 a.m. Nalanda 1st innings - 184 (Y. de Silva 11, S. Wijetunga 19, M. Warnapura 26 (with 5 fours) B. Hettiarachchi 41, Tarun Ranasinghe 36; C. Somapala 2 for 33, T. Kottehewa 2 for 31, Nadun Punchihewa 5 for 46) Royal - 142 for 3 in 46 overs at close. (D. Nanayakkara 13, Ajith Banadara 31, N. Dias 42 n.o. J. Jayewardena 20 n.o). Wesley
fightback The Wesleyites put up a gallant fight back to stave off the challenge of the Josephians who made an imposing 351 for 6 and with defeat staring at them having ended the first days play on 40 for 4. When play resumed yesterday morning the Wesleyites wickets fell like nine pins with none of the batsmen being able to come to terms with the Josephian bowling and were bundled out for 117 in no quick time. Rajeeve Vedachalam and Rajeeve Weerasinghe with three wickets each and Christopher Fleming and Ranesh Perera with two wickets each put the Josephians on top. With more than two sessions of play remaining the Weseleyites were invited to bat again and had a daunting task of erasing off the 234 runs deficit. Going into bat for the second time before lunch the Wesleyites made a disastrous start losing their first wicket without a run on the board. With this setback they found things not to their liking and were 63 for 4 with over three hours of play remaining and keeping the wickets intact. Skipper Nuwan who was losing his partners found a reliable in Ryan Kern and these began a recovery which frustrated the Josephians. The duo playing with utmost determination and leaving no room for any mistakes. They held the port for nearly three hours before the dismissal of Ryan. With Ryan back in the pavilion the Wesleyites lost wickets at regular interval and slumped to 140 for 8 losing their last three wickets off the bowling of Ranesh Perera within the space of 19 runs. One run later they lost their ninth wicket. But the last pair played out the last three overs to end the gallant fight back of the Wesleyites. Ranesh Perera was the pick of the Josephians taking 5 for 24. St
Joseph's - 351 for 6 declared First
innings win for Cambrians Prince
of Wales - 388 Late
rally by Rajans Dharmaraja - 224 (R. Suriyarachchi 29, M. Weerasuriya 24, G. Wijetilleke 18, C. Monarawila 35, A. Ekanayake 30, G. Nalunge 47, J. Jamion 3/22, P. Fernando 4/55, C. Perera 2/48. - AK |
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