A narrow shave for the Rajans
Kingswood skipper Ganindu Kaushalya makes it to the crease - Pic by Amila Gamage
For Kingswood it was a case of so near and yet so far, as they strove hard to break a barren run of sixty years at the Pallekelle Stadium.
Their batting prospered in the second innings, with skipper Gananidu Kaushalya (57) and deputy Saumya Piyasena (60) adding 109 for the fourth wicket. This enabled a declaration in which the Rajans had to make 240 in 39 overs.
By the close, they were wobbling at 122 for 8 on the fall of some tight spin bowling by Kaushalya Piyasena and Lakmal de Silva.
Skipper Kaushalya made runs in both innings and also came up with the wickets. Piyasena, left armer Lakmal de Silva and hard hitting opener Dananjaya Maduranga figured prominently in this near match winning performance by Kingswood.
Skipper Bharatha Udangamuwe, Sachintha Senanayake and Isuru Dayananda did best for Dharmaraja.
This performance is a personal triumph for unsung coach, Indika Fernando who has worked hard to turn things round for Kingswood.
Scores
- Kingswood 166 for 3 in 53 overs (Dananjaya Maduranga 33, Duleen Wijenarayana 40, Dumindu Dhamishka 20, Hasika Gamage 12, Yasitha Samararatne 3 for 49, Upendra Warnakulasuriya 2 for 35, Virajith Ehelepola 2 for 47) and 184 for 5 in 40.4 overs (Ganindu Kaushalya 57, Saumya Piyasena 60 n.o, Hasika Gamage 38, Virajith Ehelepola 2 for 53)
- Dharmaraja 111 in 61 overs (Isuru Dayananda 24, Bavantha Udangamuwe 30, Sachchinta Senanayake 19, Lakmal de Silva 2 for 31) and 122 for 8 in 45 overs (Isuru Dyananda 31 n.o, Chethiya Ekanayake 21, Sachchinta Senanayake 52, Saumya Piyasena 2 for 10, Gnanidu Kaushalya 3 for 21, Lakmal de Silva 3 for 48).