A gripping performance with both bat and ball helped Royal College to claim their 4th victory of the season with a 9 wicket outright win over De Mazenod College, Kandana during their U 19 encounter at Reid Avenue.
Influenced by Pasindu Sooriyabandara’s maiden ton for Royal, the hosts continued their aggressive batting approach from the previous games. As they piled up 300 runs at declaration in 65 overs, it was evident that the boys from Reid Avenue were eyeing a rout.
The reply by the visitors, this time was rattled by paceman Himesh Ramanayake as he broke through the De Mazenod top order leaving them tottering at 105/6 at stumps. Deshan Fernando grappled with an unbeaten 84 bracing the De Mazenod innings, which later crumbled for 164. Ramanayake was supported by Royal skipper Geeshath Panditharathna, whose nifty leg breaks claimed 3 scalps.
Forced to follow on, the Mazenodians were reeling at 58/4 as Duvindu Hettiarachchi did the early damage with his pace. However, turning the tables, Krishan Sanjula and Saliya Jude build a solid 119 run partnership, which for a moment dented the hopes of the home team. Krishan Sanjula continued on his way to a valiant century, providing zest to a dejected outfit. The game seemed drifting away from the Royalists as the visitors took the lead, making their way to 177/4 but in a crucial over before tea, Charuka Hatharasinghe dismissed Krishan Sanjula for 110 succoured by Thiran Dhanapala’s nippy glovemanship.
A few sloppy fielding efforts favoured De Mazenod but Royal continued to apply pressure despite Saliya Jude shielding one end. An early strike after tea saw Ganith Sandeepa rattling Mithila Geeth for 4 before trapping Nadun Dilshan for 1. Leading spinner Lasith Embuldeniya joined the party gaining his first wicket of the innings, removing Jude for 28 and later sending Avishka Indrajith back for 4, as the last 6 Mazedonian wickets fell for a mere 25 runs.
Chasing a target of 67 runs, Royal reached home comfortably, losing just one wicket. Pasindu charmed again with an unbeaten 34 while Ronuka Jayawardena contributed with 21.
Chief Scores –
Royal College 1st innings – 300/9 dec (64.2 overs) (Pasindu Sooriyabandara 107, Ronuka Jayawardena 43, Ganith Sandeepa 39; Rukshan Fernando 5 for 80)
De Mazenod 1st innings – 164 all out (45 overs) (Deshan Fernando 84*, Krishan Sanjula 34; Himesh Ramanayake 4 for 49, Geeshath Panditharathna 3 for 19)
De Mazenod 2nd innings (F/O) – 202 all out (48.5 overs) (Krishan Sanjula 110, Saliya Jude 28; Duvindu Hettiarachchi 3 for 47, Ganith Sandeepa 3 for 37, Lasith Embuldeniya 2 for 32)
Royal College 2nd innings (Target 67) – 68/1 (17.4 overs) (Pasindu Sooriyabandara 34*, Ronuka Jayawadena 21*; Akash Senarathne 1 for 28)
Result – Royal won by 9 wickets
