Kingswood salvage a draw against Dharmaraja in 116th big match
Kingswood College had a narrow shave in their 116th Battle of Maroons of the Hills encounter against Dharmaraja College which concluded in a thrilling draw at the Pallekelle International Cricket Stadium yesterday. Set to chase a target of 195 runs to win 45 overs, the Randles Hills school ended on 163 for 9 to salvage a draw.
Dharamaraja lost regular wickets in their first innings before being shot out for 114 runs, and in their second innings they made an early declaration at 213 for 7, leaving Kingswood to score 195 for a win off 45 overs.
Kingswood, in their first innings, got into deep trouble losing half of the side for only 26 runs. But they recovered not only to score 132 but also to take a first innings lead in the process. Kingswood skipper, Amesh Rupasinghe stroked a brilliant unbeaten 66 inclusive of six boundaries and a huge six. He also ended with a match bag of seven wickets, claiming three in the Dharmaraja first innings and following it up with another four in the second essay.
The Rajans are leading in the tally with 33 wins while Kingswood have won on 19 occasions while the remaining 64 encounters ended in draws, including yesterday’s. Dharmaraja last won the big match in 2015 under Tharusha Weragoda while Kingswood’s wait has been too long since 1958 under Maurice Fernando.
| Chief scores | |
| Dharmaraja 114 all out (39) (Isuru Pannala 25, Kenula Pihillianga 3/19, Amesh Rupasinghe 3/30, Abdul Hakam 3/31) and 213 for 7 (55.4) decl (Nisala Abeyrathne 72, Thisaru Wanninanayke 31, Pulindu Perera 32, Oranjith de Silva 28, Amesh Rupasinghe 4/69) Kingswood 132 all out (51) (Amesh Rupasinghe 66n.o., Abdul Hakam 28, Pulindu Perera 4/43) and 163 for 9 (45) at close (Kavija Gamage 66, Adel Sheriff 36, Pulindu Perera 5/56, Nisala Abeyratne 3/27) |