It was a case of so near and yet so far over the last two years. But this time, Niroshan Dikwella’s Trinitians ended a 26 year wait by thrashing the Katugastota Anthonians by an innings and one run at the Asgiriya Stadium yesterday.
Trinity has been carrying all before them over the past two seasons, scoring twenty wins. This Big Match triumph puts the seal on their supremacy.
Their last win was in 1986 when an overly generous declaration by Rienzie Perera saw Thushara Weerasuriya’s team romp home. This time round Trinity needed no declarations.
Their batsmen ran up a formidable 302 for 8 one day one, with Akila Jayasundera and Janishka Premasinghe making 41 apiece. Alwyn Fernando and Rajitha Jayatunga twisted the knife further in the wound with forties.
Not too happily placed overnight at 77 for 4, the Anthonians were bowled out for 192 by lunch – Woods, skipper Ranaraja and Rajaguru contributed but not handsomely. Alwyn Fernando the left armer took the bowling honours with a four wicket haul.
Following on, the Anthonians fared worse, being bowled out for 109. Three batsmen entered the twenties but off spinner and man of the match Janishka Premasinghe wrapped up the proceedings with four overs to spare. He was assisted by Amrit Srimahan in this rout.
Trinity 302 for 8 in 63 overs (J. Premasinghe 61, H. Wanniarachchi 15, A. Fernando 47, J. Jayatunga 41, D. Wickremanayake 16, A. Jayasundera 61, L. Dissanaike 22 n.o; S. Bulathsingala 2/69, S. Rajaguru 3/89)
St. Anthony’s 192 in 71.4 overs (Y. Woods 39, S. Bulathsingala 16, M. Saratchchandra 12, K.B. Ranaraja 42, S. Rajaguru 39; A. Fernando 4/41, J. Premasinghe 2/40, L. Jayasinghe 2/21) and 109 in 65.5 overs (N. Pulikuttiarachchi 23, K.B. Ranaraja 21, S. Rajaguru 25, A. Srimahan 5/39, J. Premasinghe 4/45) |
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