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Sports

President's Rajagiriya favoured to topple Mahanama
President's College Rajagiriya and Mahanama College Colombo meet each other in their annual encounter to be played at the R.Premadasa Stadium today. This is the 13th in the series with President's leading the tally with ten wins to Mahanama's three.

The encounter that began in 1989 was not played for the last three years and it has been revived due to the efforts of the two principals and the old boys of the respective schools.

According to the statistics of the two teams President's Rajagiriya has the edge over their traditional rivals. This season led by fifth year coloursman Nuwan Indika they have recorded five outright wins over Joseph Vaz, Royal Panadura, Lumbini MV, Siri Piyaratne MMV and De Mazenod.

They possess a well-balanced side spearheaded by skipper Nuwan Indika who is a fine all rounder. Then they have fourth year players Sandun Perera who is the deputy skipper, Rajitha Dissanayake, Sriyan Perera, V.R. Sheron and Mahesh Peiris along with third year players Suresh Niroshan and Charith Mampitiya to steer the batting.

The bowling will be in the hands of skipper Indika and V.R. Sheron who will open the attack and will strive to give the Mahanama side a torrid time. On the other hand Mahanama led by third year player Milinda Perera have not been able to notch any wins this season and will be hard pressed to curtail the Rajagiriya boys from making a big score.

Deputy skipper and second year players Hasitha de Silva and fresher Malith Fernando are the opening batsmen and bowlers of the side and a big responsibility are in their hands, as a lot will depend on the duo who have the daunting task of giving them a good start and prevent their opponents from going on a rampage.

Much will be expected from skipper Perera, Ishan Gunasekera, Shehan Duminda and Madushan Balasooriya if Mahanama are to make a score, while in the bowling department Sanjeewa Perera the third pacie and spinner Balasooriya will have to give the backing to the opening bowlers if they are to give a fight to their opponents.

The teams:
President's - Nuwan Indika (Capt), Sandun Perera, Rajitha Dissanayake, Sriyan Perera, V.R. Sheron, Mahesh Peiris, Suresh Niroshan, Charith Mampitiya, Pradeep Kumara, Shashimal Edirisinghe, Anura Kariyawasam, Ruwn Perera, Nipuna Geethanga, Gayan Nalaka, Wenura Sanjaya, Isuru Somatileke, Dinuka Jayasinghe, Neomal Deheragoda, Rajitha Chaturanga, Mevan Rumesh. Coach - Mahesh Weerasinghe.

Mahanama - Milinda Perera (Capt), Hasitha de Silva, Buddhi Sarinda, Shehan Duminda, Sanjewa Perera, Nipuna Nelumjith, Pamunage Inushka, Madushan Balasooriya, Malith Fernando, Ashen Jayasinghe, Ranidu Jayatissa, Asanka Ranaweera, Anura Prasad, Ishan Gunasekera. Coach - Jayalath Aponso.

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