Gonagala knock saps the soldiers
View(s):A solid 85 runs in 126 balls, inclusive of 10 hits to the ropes by one-drop batsman, Pasidu Gonagala and an inspiring spell of fast medium pace bowling by Adil Hafiz (10-01-24-5) spearheaded Rukmalgama CC to their first win, beating Army Sapper CC by 20 runs, in the Colombo District Cricket Association (CDCA) Division III 50-Over League Tournament 2015, at the new Mattegoda Army grounds recently.
Rukmalgama, who won the toss and chose to bat, put up a respectable 223 in 49.1 overs, thanks to the 3rd wicket stand of 85 runs between Gonagala and Skipper Shyamal Perera (49 in 65 balls with 06 fours) . Middle order batsman Migara Vijesiri chipped in with a useful 37 runs in 32 balls, hitting two sixes and three fours. Suranga Marlon (10-42-3) and Mangala Mayadunne (5.1 -27-3) were the pick of the bowlers for the soldiers.
Sapper’s in reply were badly placed at 5 for 55, as Adil Hafiz made early in roads to the batting, bagging the first three wickets to fall. The soldiers fought back tooth and nail to get back on track via two productive stands – 77 runs for the sixth wicket between Suranga Marlon (76 in 72 balls with four sixes and six fours) and Manoj Madurapperuma (20) along with a 56 run stand for the 7th wicket between Suranga Marlon and Kasun Jayatillake (27), thus taking the score to 187 for 7 in the 40th Over.
Spinner, Janitha Rupasena got the prize wicket of Suranga Marlon, as he clean bowled him, raising the hopes of Rukmalgama once again. Paceman, Heshan Wijesinghe (7.2-1-43 -3) came back for his 2nd spell to polish off the tail, as the soldiers surrendered – 203 in 45.2 overs.
Rukmalgama will play their third Match vs Old Wesleyites at Campbell Park.
Chief Scores
Rukmalgama CC 223 all out (49.1) (Dinesh Vindyaka 15, Pasidu Gonagala 85, Shyamal Perera 49, Migara Vijesiri 37, S. Marlon 3/42, M. Mayadunna 3/27)
Sapper CC 203 all out (45.2) (S. Marlon 76, M. Madurapperuma 20, K. Jayatillake 27, Heshan Wijesinghe 3/43, Adil Hafiz 5/24)
– LR