Anushka Samaratunga of Isipathana in action against Royal at the Colts Grounds - Pic by Ranjit Perera

Gritty forties by Sasanka Nilusha (45) and Vidharshana Shenuka (44) helped Isipathana to record a well deserved first inning win over Royal in their Under 19 inter-school cricket encounter concluded at the Colts ground yesterday.

The opening day’s play saw Royal, who took first lease of the wicket, make 203 with Charuka Rajaratne top scoring with an unbeaten 85 which proved to be in vain as Isipathana after making a bold reply of 150 for 5, resumed their innings and went on to make 243 which gave them a 40 runs lead. Royal batting the second ended on 121 for 7 before bad light stopped play.

Royal 203 in 54.2 overs (Ramitha Rambukwella 48, Bhanuka Rajapakse 20, Charuka Rajaratne 85 n.o.: Anushka Samaratunga 4 for 60, Samitha Sulochana 2 for 16, Dimuth Warapitiya 2 for 33) and 121 for 7 in 39 overs (Kithruwan Withanage 50, Bhanuka Rajapakse 21: Samitha Sulochana 3 for 47, Dimuth Warapitiya 2 for 45)

Isipathana (150/5 o’night) 243 in 60 overs (Sasanka Nilusha 45, Vidarshana Shenuka 44, Thivanka Ranasinghe 31, Samitha Sulochana 30, Dimithri Perera 26, Harsha Cooray 20: Bhanuka Rajapakse 3 for 58, Ramith Rambukwela 2 for 41)

Maris Stella’s fight back in vain
After being shot out for 160 runs in their first innings the lads from Negombo fought back bitterly to tame the mighty Josephian batting line up and restrict them to a manageable 168 all out in their first innings at Darley Road yesterday.

St. Joseph’s who ended the first day on a strong 53 for no loss could not capitalize on their fortunes, as they lost all ten wickets for the addition of only 115 runs just before lunch. But managed to record a close first inning win.

Maris Stella 160 in 61.3 overs (Wishwa Kanushika 64, Lakshan Angelo 40, Ishara Fernando 40 n.o.: Chathuranga Kumara 6 for 77, Rosco Thatil 2 for 42) and 93 for 5 in 23 overs (Kasun Chanuka 29, Wishwa Kanushika 25 n.o.: Dinal Dambarage 2 for 16)

St. Joseph’s (53/0 o’night) 168 in 55.2 overs (Sachin Hewawasam 45, Enrico Silva 36, Heshan Perera 32, Ramesh Vidanarachchi 31; Dushmantha Chameera 3 for 37, Sadeera Fernando 2 for 18, Dhanushka Chanaka 2 for 46)

Waruna guides Bens

Waruna Fernando guided St. Benedict’s to a comfortable first inning win over Kalutara at Kalutara yesterday. The Bens after bowling the home team out for 122 had already obtained a first inning lead.
Waruna who was unbeaten on 63 on day one carried his bat to remain unbeaten on 106 enabling the Bens to declare their innings on 193 for 7. Waruna’s knock included ten boundaries and two sixes.
Kalutara Vidyalaya 122 in 45.1 overs (Sandun Chamara 55, Sapumal Pathirana 21, Charith Priyan 20; Dilshan Perera 3 for 42, Shannon Patterson 2 for 19, Dinushan Wanigasuriya 2 for 21) and 54 for 4 in 14 overs (Sandun Chamara 28 n.o; Waruna Fernando 2 for 11)

St. Benedict’s (128/5 o’night) 193 for 7 declared in 46.5 overs (Eranga Ratnayake 21, Rukshan Weerasinghe 19, Nisal Fonseka 15, Sandun Sampath 15, Waruna Fernando 106 n.o; Chathura Wannipura 2 for 22)

Tame draw at Reid Avenue

The Under 19 inter-school encounter between Nalanda and St. Peter’s ended in a tame draw at Reid Avenue yesterday. The irony of the pre-lunch session was that Peterite skipper Chathura Peiris who was batting with great authority on the first day was unfortunate to miss out on a ton.

Continuing from his overnight score of 85 he was able to add a further seven runs as the Peterites resuming from their overnight score of 320 for 5, declared their innings at 341 for 6. Nalanda in their turn were 184 for 8 when the match was called off.

St. Peter’s (320/5 o’night) 341 for 6 wickets declared in 89.3 overs (Chathura Peiris 92, Andri Berenger 80, Lahiru Milantha 40, Hasitha Perera 20, Nilochana Perera 52 n.o.: Sineth Gunawardena 2 for 53, Adeesha Nanayakkara 2 for 55)

Nalanda 184 for 8 (Prashan Wickramasinghe 62, Dinuk Jayasinghe 30, Tharindu Vidanapathirana 29; Akshu Fernando 3 for 38, Chamila Godellawatte 3 for 54. Janika Kannangara 2 for 45)