St John’s clinched a 103 run victory over Jaffna Central College in the Limited Overs encounter player today between the two Northern rivals.
Last weekend, the most awaited Battle of North ended as a draw as both teams played well. The 14th 50 over match between the two schools was played in the St John’s College ground today.
St John’s won the toss and elected to bat first at their home ground. The Johnians started well, but when they reached 38 they lost their first wicket as Kishanthujan, who looked dangerous at crease, was dismissed for 29 . They lost 2 quick wickets in the next overs , but a 96 run partnership between Jathushan and Jeni Flemin took them to a good position. When Flemin reached 52 runs he got bowled by Kirubaharan. At the other end Jathushan batted well and marched towards a century while the others failed to stay at the crease. As the warrior Jathushan got out for an excellent 82, the St John’s innings came to end at 249/10 in 50 overs.
Kirubhakaran picked up 5 wickets for the Centralites. (10 overs 41 runs 5 wickets)
With a 250 run chase on the cards, Kowthaman and Priyaluxan opened the batting for Jaffna Central College. Unfortunately Kowthaman got out for 0 in the very first over while the score too stood at 0. The Centralites lost the key wickets of Kometharan and Alanraj soon after. For the 5th wicket Kirubaharan and Priyaluxan put on a 70 run partnership and lifted the Centralites to a good position but with the fall of Priyaluxan’s wicket, the Centralites started to lose their wickets at regular intervals and were all out for 146 in 44 overs, giving St. John’s a 103 run win. For the Centralites Kirubaharan scored 52 runs and Jeroshan scored an unbeaten 20.
For St Johns V.Jathushan picked up 4 wickets for 26 runs while Nilojan and Ghanamirithan picked up 2 wickets each.
The Man of the Match award went to V.Jathushan for his all rounding performance of scoring 82 runs and picking up 4 wickets.
