The completion of Under 19 inter-school cricket encounters over the weekend saw two outright victories being recorded with Prince of Wales starting off the 2011/12 season on winning note and Zahira recording their third outright victory.
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| Ramidu Lakshan of Thurstan in action |
The outright win recorded by Prince of Wales against Dharmasoka Ambalangoda was a great achievement which they gained whilst chasing a target of 142 runs in 16 overs and made it in just 13.4 overs.
Nevertheless hats off to Dharmasoka who though being on the losing side made a sporty declaration instead of batting the whole part in the final session which could have saved them from defeat.
It was good match for Ashen Mendis who made twin half tons making 78 in the first inning and then following it up with an unbeaten 69 which incidentally laid the foundation for the Cambrians victory.
An outright victory was not in sight when play stopped for lunch on the second day with Dharmasoka taking first lease on day one making 228 and then Prince of Wales declaring their innings on 231 for 8 at lunch on day two.
Dharmasoka going in for quick runs made 144 for 8 declared giving a challenging target for the Cambrians. Prince of Wales after losing their first wicket on 25 went on the rampage with Ashen and Kushal Mendis having things their own way.
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| Dulan Charuka is out |
The pair put on a valuable 92 runs for the second wicket before they were separated with the dismissal of Kushal who made an 18 ball knock of 38. Ashen found another reliable partner in Shanuka Dulaj with whom he guided his side to victory. Ashen slammed an unbeaten 69 in just 43 balls which comprised six boundaries and four sixes.
Zahira in the meantime recorded two outright wins within a space of three days. They did so again and this week and coasted to their third successive outright win. The first win was against Dharmapala whom they outclassed by an innings and 55 runs and then followed it up with a massive 165 runs win over Revatha MMV Balapitiya.
Dharmapala crashed to their third outright defeat and their batting has been of much concern as apart from Ashan Jayasanka the others have failed to make any impression. They succumbed to a score of 101 and 104 in reply to the formidable score of 260 for 6 declared made by the Zahirians which came on the back of half tons from Imras Rafi and Mohamed Basith.
Zahira in their match against Revatha MMV was guided by left arm spinner Pradeep Ananda who ended up with a match bag of 11 for 86. Pradeep had figures of 6 for 43 in the first inning to bowl out Revatha MMV for a score of 104 and 5 for 43 in the second innings as Revatha MMV folded up for 93.
The other matches played during the week ending ended in draws which was between Maris Stella and S. Thomas’, Wesley vs St Anthony’s Katugastota, Holy Cross vs St Joseph’s, Thurstan vs Wesley, Lumbini MV vs Maris Stella Negombo and S. Thomas’ vs De Mazenod Kandana.
Maris Stella dominated their match against the strong S. Thomas’ with Prasansana Jayamanne and Angelo Jayasinghe cracking tons enabling them to make a formidable score of 387 for 8 declared in reply to the Thomians score of 280 for 9 declared.Prasansan and Angelo were associated in a massive 222 runs stand for the sixth wicket. The Thomians in their next match against De Mazenod put in a better performance as they succeeded to restrict the Mazenodians who were in a strong position. Holy Cross Kalutara had a narrow escape in their match against St Josephs. The Josephians after a making a formidable score of 301 for 9 declared thanks to a fine knock of 137 coming from Sachin Hewawasam bowled out the home team for 179. Holy Cross made to follow on with a deficit of 188 runs fared no better as the Josephians bowlers made them struggle for their runs but they managed to hold on and deny the visitors an outright win.
Wesley will have to loosen their belts and be positive their approach as they cannot be satisfied with their performances in the two matches that they played against St Anthony’s and Thurstan.
In both the matches they were unable to make a score of over 100. They were bowled out for 99 by the Antonians and against Thurstan they were bundled out for just 66 runs. Late start in both the matches saved them from an imminent outright defeat. The first days play in both the matches was delayed. Thurstan after their defeat to S. Thomas’ are making steady progress, it was a wake up call for the Thurstanites. |
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