Cricket: Trinity record historic victory at Royal vs Royal after 130-years

A hundred from opening batter Kusal Wijetunge and a match-bag of 12 for 52 from Dinuka Tennekoon set up a historic innings-and-62-runs win over Royal College at Royal on Thursday, their first outright victory at the venue in the 130-year history.

Trinity coach, Naveen Ekanayake, confirmed this to Timesonline en route to Kandy after the match.

“Yes – after 130-years we registered an outright win vs them in their own backyard,” he said.

Wijetunge's match-winning 103 comprised, two valuable partnerships of 78 for the fourth wicket with Rahal Amarasinghe and the other for 72 with Lakwin Abeysinghe for the fifth wicket.   

Trinity posted a commanding 300 on Wednesday, before skittling out Royal for 108 in their first innings and then 130 in the second innings on Thursday. 

Tennekoon took 7 for 15 in the first innings before returning figures of 5 for 37 in the second innings. 

Trinity’s last win against Royal in Royal came back in 1926, based on a Trinity college souvenir.

Chief scores:

Trinity 300 (Kusal Wijetunge 103, Jayavi Liyanagama 61, Rahal Amarasinghe 48, Lakvin Abeysinghe 21, Tharana Wimaladharma 18: Ovina Ambanpola 3 for 24, Anush Polonowita 2/26, Dan Poddawela 2/32, Nethwin Dharmaratne 2/78) beat

Royal (50/0 overnight) 108 (Savindu Seneratharachchi 30, Rehan Perera 17, Geeshan Perera 15: Dinuka Tennekooon 7 for 15, Tharana Wimaladharma 2 for 49) and 130 (Dasis Manchanayake 36, Bulan Weeratunge 15, Ovina Ambanpola 15, Nethwin Dharmaratne 28 n.o.: Dinuka Tennekoon 5/37, Jayavi Liyanagama 2/24, Tharana Wimaladharma 2/49) 

*Updated on Friday (17) at 08.35 a.m. adding the first occassion Trinity recorded their away win