121st Lovers’ Quarrel ends in high-scoring draw
The 121st Lovers’ Quarrel between traditional rivals Richmond College, Galle and Mahinda College, Galle, played at the Galle International Stadium, ended in a high-scoring draw. Both sides produced commendable batting performances over the three days, ensuring that bowlers had little margin for dominance on a placid surface.
On the final day, Mahinda, in reply to Richmond’s first innings total of 315, resumed from their overnight score of 90 for 2 and went on to post an imposing 332 for 9 declared. The innings was anchored by an outstanding knock of 124 from Dineth Pahasara. He found solid support from Randula Mabarana and Manitha Rajapakse, who contributed with well-compiled half-centuries.
Mabarana’s 50 and Rajapakse’s fluent 58 ensured Mahinda edged ahead, while useful contributions from the middle order helped stretch the total beyond Richmond’s first innings score. Richmond’s bowling effort was led by Mihanga Ariyadasa, who claimed four wickets, while Nethuja Basitha chipped in with three scalps.
In their second innings, Richmond were content to bat out time. They reached 83 for 1 in 22 overs by stumps, with Risinu Rupasinghe remaining unbeaten on 37. Ravindu Randinu also finished not out on 37, as the pair ensured there were no late setbacks. Senuk Dukneth was the only wicket to fall, run out for 8.
| Scoreboard | |
| Richmond 1st innings 315 (131.2 overs) (Ravindu Randinu 85, Ameesha Rasanjana 81, Nethuja Basitha 34, Thenusha Nimsara 26, Punal Hansajith 21, Mihanga Ariyadasa 16; Manitha Rajapakse 5/96, Sadew Nethmina 2/45, Kavindu Nimsara 2/47) Mahinda 1st innings (90/2 overnight) Thevindu Rashmika c Randinu b Dias 12 Dulsith Dharshana c Hansajith b Ariyadasa 22 Randula Mabarana c Hansajith b Ariyadasa 50 Dineth Pahasara st Jayawardena b Basitha 124 Gesandu Bisas c Dias b Nimsara 26 Manitha Rajapakse c Randinu b Basitha 58 Sehas Ashinsa c Dulneth b Ariyadasa 5 Arosha Udayanga not out 4 Kaveesha Githmal c and b Ariyadasa 5 Kavindi Nimsara c Ameesha b Basitha 13 Sadew Nethmina not out 0 Extras (b 3, lb 2, nb 2, w 6) 13 Total (9 wickets declared, 104.2 overs) 332 Fall of wickets: 1-21, 2-55, 3-129, 4-211, 5-297, 6-305, 7-312, 8-317, 9-332 Bowling: Ravindu de Silva 7-2-29-0, Tenura Dias 9-0-47-1, Ravindu Randinu 6-2-19-0, Thenusha Nimsara 23-9-39-1, Mihanga Ariyadasa 36-6-104-4, Punal Hansajith 3-0-5-0, Nethuja Basitha 17.2-3-65-3, Ameesha Rasanjana 3-0-10-0 Richmond 2nd innings Risinu Rupasinghe not out 37 Senuk Dukneth run out 8 Ravindu Randinu not out 37 Extras (b 1) 1 Total (1 wicket, 22 overs) 83 Fall of wickets: 1-28 Bowling: Arosha Udayanga 11-0-41-0, Manitha Rajapakse 6-0-27-0, Kaveesha Githmal 2-0-12-0, Gesandu Bisas 3-2-2-0 |