Royal College were in a strong position ending the first days play at 232 for 2 in reply to St.Peters low total of 155.

Maneesha Tantirigoda the stand in skipper of the Royal College ran through the Peterites today with his left arm orthodox spinners. He ended the day with a staggering 8 wicket haul continuing his brilliant run in the current season. This was a repeat performance by  Maneesha’s  taking his second 8 wicket haul for the season after taking eight wickets against Dharmaraja College last week.

The Peterites taking first lease of the wicket were bowled out for a disappointing 155 runs with Maneesha running through the Pete’s batting line up. The Pete’s who were sitting pretty at 120 for 2 were subject to a major collapse due to some superb bowling performance by the skipper. He was well supported by the right arm slow spin of Ramith Rambukwella. Ramith captured two important wickets to the end of the innings. The Royal College fast bowlers were taken to the cleaners by the Peterite top order. For the Peterites opener Shehan Fernando scored a fighting 70 runs. He kept the Royal pace-men at bay with a well paced innings. Denham Perera scored 23 runs for the Petes but went to some good bowling by the spin twin of Royal.

The Royal College Batsmen in return stunned the Peterite bowling line up. The home team were fired up by a brilliant century by one of their leading run scorers and coloursman Ramith Rambukwella. He has been rock solid for the lads from  Reid Avenuescoring at will during the current season. He was supported well by fresher Imal Liyanage who notched up a brilliant 88. Imal walked in with Chalaka Bogoda back in the hut for just two runs. The young lad paced his innings and gave the perfect foil for Ramith to counter the Peterite bowling attack. Three down batsman Madusha Rajaratne was undefeated on 33 runs at the end of day one.

The St.Peters College team looks to be staring down at the barrel at the end of the first days play. The visitors will have to come out with a much improved performance on day two. Royal College have plenty of batting to come with the likes of Charutha Rajaratne, Madusha Guneratne, Chanaka Rodrigo and skipper Maneesha Tantrigoda waiting on the ranks.

Scores in brief

St.Peters College 1^st innings 155 All out- (Shehan Fernando 70, Denham Perera 23, Maneesha Tantirigoda 8-30, Ramith Ramukwella 2-32)

Royal College 1^st innings 232 for 2- ( Ramith Rambukwella 100, Imal Liyanage 88, Madusha Rajaratne 33*