Trinity in gallant fight back

By Bernie Wijesekera

In a game of fluctuating fortunes on day one at Reid Avenue yesterday Trinity made to bat first by Royal were all at sea against some hostile bowling from Charith Fernando (4 for 14). Lakshitha de Silva (4 for 19) and were skittled out for 61.

Royal in reply, after losing an early wicket at two, made an awe inspiring second wicket stand between opener Dhiran Warnakulasuriya (26 with 3 fours and a six in 37 balls) and number 3 bat, left hander Bhanuka Rajapakse (47 in 37 balls with 5 fours and 2 sixes) added 72 runs for the second wicket.

Royal flattered and fell and were 112 for 7 at tea with left arm spinner Sri Lanka Under 19 allrounder Sachith Pathirana (4 for 46), ably supported by off-spinner Roshan Perera (3 for34) and were all out for 165.

Trinity had to make 104 runs to avert an innings defeat. Openers Wasika Munasinghe (36 n.o with 4 fours and a six) and Derryck Joachim (13 n.o) batted stout heartedly to put 50 runs between them before bad light called off play at 4.48 p.m. The game will be continued at 9.30 a.m. today.

Trinity 61 in 31.5 overs (Arinda Bulanewa 14 n.o, Sachith Pathirana 21, Romesh Fernando 17, Charith Fernando 4 for 14, Lakshitha de Silva 4 for 19, H. Mowjood 6 for 2) and 50 for no loss in 13 overs (Wasika Munasinghe 36 n.o, Derryck Joachim 13 n.o)

Royal 165 in 41.5 overs (Dhiran Warnakulasuriya 26, Bhanuka Rajapakse 47, Charith Fernando 16, Haroon Mowjood 37, Kanishka Boteju 12; Sachith Pathirana 4 for 64, Romesh Perera 3 for 34, Roshan Jaleel 2 for 25)