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Thomians dilute Royal glory
By Harry Jayachandra
Royal were pros last week. Unfortunately they were cons yesterday at the SSC Grounds. S. Thomas’ easily retained the Mustangs trophy by 37 runs in their 31st limited overs encounter. Thus levelling the series with one game tied.

Royal skipper Nadun Punchihewa won the toss and inexplicably inserted the opposition in on a perfect batting track. Thomian skipper Navin Perera who top scored with 66 and Sashreeka Pussegolla got their team off to a rollicking start. They put on 60 runs in less than 10 overs before Pussegolla was dismissed for 32. The famous cliché that any one day victory is based on partnerships was emphasized yesterday by the Thomians. Perera added 46 with Ashan Peiris (22) and 42 for the third wicket with Nizam Mazahir (27)
Looking to post a score in excess of 250, the Thomians lost their way in the last 20 overs. Royal three pronged spin attack of Punchihewa, Dilan Nanayakkara and Dulanjaya Wijeratne, did an admirable job of containing the Thomians to just 217.

Nanayakkara was the best of the lot with figures of 4 for 42 off his allocated ten overs. Royal were dealt an early blow when they came into bat. Opener Sukitha Senaratne was sent back to the pavilion for just three runs and Dilan Nanayakkara who promoted up the order soon followed for a duck. Malinga Maligaspe and 15 year old Kushal Perera did a good job of consolidating the innings. But with the dismissal of Maligaspe at 42 and more crucially Perera at 96, the Royal innings fell apart. Perera top scored for Royal with a fine 42. The Thomians looked a different side from last week. Their bowling was accurate and their ground fielding was superb. As such the better side definitely won yesterday.

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