Royal ‘B’ emerge U-13 Div. II cricket champs
View(s):Royal College ‘B’ were crowned the champions of the Inter-School Under-13 Division II Cricket Tournament after gaining first innings points against St. Thomas’ College, Matale in the final played at Wijerama Mawatha earlier this week, in a game dominated by the eventual winners.
Royal ‘B’ became the top side out of 85 school teams that participated in the tournament conducted by Sri Lanka Schools Cricket Association and sponsored by Sri Lanka Cricket.
After winning the toss and electing to bowl, Royal ‘B’ skittled out St. Thomas’ Matale for 69 runs in 43.1 overs, where Nehan Ekanayake emerged the top scorer with 27 runs. Kenuka Sanyuth was the top wrecker claiming four wickets, conceding just 15 runs, while Udarsha Perera and Samith Dinushan picked a couple of wickets each.
Royal College 'B' cricket team with the coaching staff
In reply, Royal ‘B’ posted 151 runs for the loss of four wickets in 42 overs, with Dewmith Hansana becoming the star with an unbeaten knock of 52 runs. Supporting him well was Udarsha Perera, who returned to stroke an unbeaten knock of 50 runs after picking two scalps, while Tenuka Silva chipped in with 29 runs.
Earlier in the semi-finals, Royal ‘B’ defeated B’ beat St. Joseph’s College ‘B’ while St. Thomas’ Matale beat Mahinda Rajapaksa College, Homagama to reach the final. This was after Royal ‘B’ overcame Bandaranaike Central College, Veyangoda and St. Thomas’ Matale defeated Sri Dharmaloka College, Kelaniya in the quarter-finals.
Royal ‘B’, led by Devija Ranasinghe, included Senuja Dissanayake, Tenuka Silva, Ruwanindu Ratnayake, Isaja Gunasena, Samith Dorakumbura, Dewmith Gunawardana, Udarsha Perera, Senuth Kahadawa, Sanyuth Gunawardena Hiruth Karunanayake, Shenan Yehosh, Dechen Jayasinghe, Imanka Wijerathne, Pahan Dodangoda, Niweth Mintharu and Mohamed Usman. Sandaruwan Fernando guided the side as Head Coach, with the able support of Mrs. R.A.S. Erandi, the Teacher in-charge.
St. Thomas’ Matale was led by Nehan Ekanayake, and included Chenuka Rehan, Dulen Godaliyadda, Deneth Induwara, Vimukthi Seneviratne, Randesh Thilakarathna, Mihidum Yehansa, Thenuka Nimsara, Thusiru de Silva, Sriyantha Dimbikotuwa, Dinsara Bandara, Shanidu Ashen, Nethum Weerasinghe, Javidu Fonseka and Mohamad Hamdi. The side was coached by Matheesha Rashmika.