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Morawaka reigns supreme
Right royal win by Royal - crush STC by 126 runs
By Bernie Wijesekera
Royal showing all round superiority, outplayed and outclassed S. Thomas' by 126 runs to retain the 50-over Mustang Trophy at the 29th contest played under lights at the Khettarama International Stadium, yesterday.Royal skipper Taraka Kottehewa, who led from the front, won the toss and elected to bat first.

Helped by an entertaining and aggressive second wicket stand between Heshan Morawaka 106 (with 8 fours) and Dimitri Siriwardena, an elegant 44 (with five fours) helped Royal to a tall 252 for six wickets in their allotted overs. Incidentally, Morawaka, who was adjudged the Man of the Match for his career best 106 and the highest individual score - the only 'ton' made by a batsman in either-side surpassing the 97 made by Yasas Dharmaratne in 1996 also from Royal.

The little all rounder who bats left hand and bowls left arm spinners after the initial breakthrough made by Naveen Dias 2 for 0 in his fourth over had the Thomian top order in total disarray. At the half way mark the Thomians were struggling at 83 for 6. Left arm spinners Nadun Punchihewa bowling to an immaculate line joined by Morawake bamboozled the Thomian middle order Punchihewa 10-1-18-0 and Morawaka who reigned supreme 10-3-21-3 wrecked the batting.

The Royal bowlers were backed by excellent fielding with 'keeper' Janith Jayawardena holding on to three good catches. The only Thomian batsman to show any resistance was Sanjeev Mendis who made 46 with 4 fours, made in 80 balls in 97 minutes,was ninth man out. This is the worst defeat by the Thomians in the overs game. Last year they lost by 80 runs. The team was led by Rochana Wijeratne. Royal leads 16-12 in this contest.

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