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Royal Huff Puff and falter
By Harry Jayachandra
Dour batting aided by some poor fielding enabled Prince of Wales Moratuwa to force a draw in their inter school match against Royal at Reid Avenue yesterday. Prince of Wales continuing from their overnight score of 73 for five were bowled for 110 in their first innings in reply to Royal’s score of 256 for 3 declared. Young leg spinner Haroon Mowjood did the damage with six for 32 off 16 overs.

Batting a second time, the Moratuwa lads lost their first wicket at 46, before a 95 run stand for the second guided them to safety. The turning point in the game came 15 minutes before tea. Wicket keeper batsman Malinga Maligaspe grassed two clear chances given by POW opener Marlon Fernando who was on 54 at the time. The unfortunate bowler was acting captain Dulanjaya Wijeratne who was deputizing for regular skipper Nadun Puchihewa who was rested. Fernando went onto to make 72 off 190 balls. Following the tea break, Maligaspe was replaced by Royal’s first innings centurion and Sri Lanka’s under 15 wicket keeper Kushal Perera. Unfortunately to use a hackneyed cliché it was “closing the stable door after the horse had bolted”.

One drop Rumesh Thirimane added more salt into Royal’s wounds by remaining unbeaten on 106 inclusive of 11 fours and 1 six. In the process Thirimane made up for his disappointing dismissal when on 99 in the corresponding fixture last season. Thirimane was also involved in an 87 run stand for the fourth wicket with Krishan Hewage who made an aggressive 45 off just 35 balls with 7 fours and 1 six. This enabled Prince of Wales to finish at 247 for 4. A significant feature was that 201 overs bowled during the two days.

Scores; Royal - 256 for 3 declared
Prince Of Wales - 73 for 5 overnight continued 110 all out. (Sanka peiris 30, Shasan Silva 30, Gayath Mendis 19. Charitha Fernando 3 for 27, Haroon Mowjood 6 for 32)

Following on 247 for 4 (Marlon Fernando 72, Krishan Hewage 45, Rumesh Thirimane 106 not out. D. Wijeratne 2 for 72.)

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