Big Match: Joes hold on to force a draw against Petes in 84th encounter

The Battle of the Saints turned out into another stalemate as in spite St. Peter’s dominating the proceedings their traditional rivals St. Joseph’s holding on to force a draw ending day two on 237 for 8 in the 84th encounter concluded at the P. Sara Stadium in Colombo. 

The Peterites who came into the game as the underdogs had their rivals struggling for survival in both the innings on day one. 

The Petes had the Joe batting in tatters on 68 for 4 before the Josephian captain Jehan Daniel came to their rescue with a quick fire knock of 93 in only 115 balls that included three boundaries and half a dozen sixes. 

The right and left arm spin combination of Sachin Silva and Mohamed Ameen who made the early breakthrough did the damage. 

The Peterites in their turn helped by half tons by Shalith Fernando and Ranmith Jayasena ended the day in a strong position of 190 for 6. 

Resuming on day two and with 11 overs of batting left saw the overnight pair Pabasara Herath and Kanishka Maduwantha adding a further 28 runs before being separated with the dismissal of Pabasara who made a valuable 38 runs which had three boundaries and a six. 

The Josephians batting the second time with a deficit of 49 runs saw the openers Johanne de Silva and Revan Kelly giving them a sedate of 43 runs before being separated and they lost another quick wicket for the addition of four runs. 

Nipun Sumanasinghe and Jehan Fernandopulle added 34 runs for the third wicket and form there on they lost wickets at regular and the dismissal of skipper Jehan Daniel cheaply saw them falling back and slid to 146 for 7. 

Dineth Jayakody who remained unbeaten on 55 with four boundaries and a six and Dunith Wellalage who made a 44 took them to safety with the duo denying further success for the Peterite bowlers. 

The pair put on a valuable match saving partnership of 80 runs for the eighth wicket which sealed the game for a draw as the Josephians ended the day on 237 for 8 facing 81 overs. 

St. Joseph’s 
1st innings 195 all out (53.2) (Revan Kelly 19, Jehan Fernandopulle 15, Jehan Daniel 93, Sachintha Ravindu 10, Dineth Jayakody 13, Dunith Wellalage 13, Sachin Silva 3/24, Mohamed Ameen 2/71)

2nd innings 237 for 8 wickets (81) at close (Johanne de Silva 33, Nipun Sumanasinghe 35, Jehan Fernandopulle 15, Jehan Daniel 24, Dineth Jayakody 55n.o, Dunith Wellalage 44, Ruwin Seneviratne 4/50, Mohamed Ameen 2/84)

St. Peter’s 
1st innings 244 all out (60) (Sulakshana Fernando 16, Shalith Fernando 58, Ranmith Jayasena  55, Pabasara Herath 38, Kanishka Maduwantha 14, Lakshan Gamage 4/62, Ashian Daniel 2/40, Dunith Wellalage 2/49)

2nd innings DNB