Left-arm spinner Hashan Sandeepa bagged 7 for 50 as he single-handedly bowled Mahanama College to victory over DS Senanayake in the 11th battle of the Golds played under lights last evening.
Mahanama College captain Malindu Maduranga won the toss and elected to bat first on a hot and humid afternoon at R. Premadasa grounds.
Mahanama openers began tentatively with the bat as the big occasion seemed to get the better out of the opening pair of Pathum Botheju and Kavindu Munasinghe.
DS opening bowlers, captain Torin Pitigala along with Pasindu Adithya gave the team celebrating 50 years of their college an exceptional start.
The first three Mahanama batsman folded under pressure. First Kavindu Munasinghe was sent back packing by captain Pitigala for a solitary run. A tad later Pathum Boteju (4) and Bishan Mendis (1) followed suit Mahanama was reeling at 19 for 3.
Niduka Welikala came and went for 7 as Mahanama slumped further into trouble at 47 for the loss of 4.
Malindu Maduranga joined Pawantha Weerasinghe at the crease as the duo began the rebuilding phase.
Captain and inform right hander Maduranga notched up some quick runs but was run out for 25 in unfortunate fashion as the Mahanama score was on ‘nelson’.
Weerasinghe moved past fifty and carried on scoring quick runs even though wicket continued to fall. DS captain Torin added to his single wicket with two strikes in the latter part of the innings.
Heshan Nileeka came in late and made a better than a run-a-ball 63 off 53 balls as he managed to take Mahanama to a respectable 244 following Weerasinghe’s dismissal for a sublime knock of 84.
Right arm pacer Pitigala was the pick of the bowlers with 3 for 48 in 10 overs. Vihan Gunasekara joined the party with 2 for 41 while Pasindu Adithya (1/28) and Muditha Lakshan (1/43) chipped in with a wicket-a-piece.
Shezard Ameen and Pasindu Adithya walked out for the Dons with intent and but managed just 26 runs for the first wicket stand. Adithya was the first to be dismissed for 16, falling to Pathum Botheju.
Vihan Gunasekara joined Ameen at the crease as the duo put on 94 for the second wicket, steadying the Dons innings.
Ameen was one of seven wickets to fall for Hashan Sandeepa as a promising innings of 62 ended in disappointing fashion.
The second wicket triggered a mini collapse as four DS wickets fell for just 45 runs, leaving them at 165 for the loss of 6 wickets.
Captain Pitigala along with Shashika Gamage put on a resistant 43 run stand for the seventh wicket.
Shashika Gamage fell for a quick fire 22 off 18 balls as Mahanama once again found an opening to seal the all-important win.
Pitigala took matters into his own hands, but when he fell for 27, Mahanama realized the game was put to bed.
Sandeepa wrapped things up, ending with seven wickets to his name, dismissing the Dons for 220 in 48.4 overs handing Mahanama College a fighting 24 run nail biting win in the 11th balls of the Golds limited over encounter.
Mahanama College 244/8 (50) Pawantha Weerasinghe 84, Heshan Hettiarachchi 63*, Malindu Maduranga 25, Torin Pitigala 3/48, Vihan Gunasekara 2/41
D.S. Senanayake College 220 (48.4) Shezaad Ameen 62, Vihan Gunasekara 30, Torin Pitigala 27, Shashika Gamage 22, Hashan Sandeepa 7/50
MAHANAMA WON BY 24 RUNS
