Under 19 schools two day tournament division 1 champions Richmond College secured their place in the top 4 for the limited overs tournament when they defeated the most dangerous upcoming team Gurukula College, Kelaniya by 3 wickets in their quarter final encounter played at Moors grounds on April fool’s day.
Gurukula College batting first was made to toil hard for runs as they were bowled out for 164 runs in 48.3 overs. Sri Lanka U19 youth player Roshan Anuruddha was the best batsman scoring 41 runs in 64 balls with 3 fours. K Madusanka and S Dilranga chipped in with 20 and 24 respectively in the early stage of the innings. Richmond skipper AK Tyron bowled an economical spell of 28 runs in his 10 overs and captured 3 wickets. Medium pacer Wanindu Hasaranga was accounted for three wickets.
Chasing a tricky target of 165, Richmond College got off to a poor start as Roshan Anuruddha removed three wickets at the top of the innings but a patient 48 from Hasitha Madushan ensured Richmond would get over the line with help from his middle order. Wanindu Hasaranga scored a brisk 22 runs while Pasindu Bimsara and Saveen Nanayakkara was involved in a match winning 32 runs unbroken partnership for the 8th wicket to achieve the target in the 37th over. Pasindu made 25 runs while Saveen scored 16 valuable runs. Apart of Roshan’s 3 wicket haul, Namal Pathum and Hashan Dumindu took 2 wickets apiece.
Richmond College will take on St. Thomas College in the 2nd semi-final on 5th of April at Bloomfield grounds while St. Joseph’s College will go head to head against Thurstan College on 2nd of April at the same venue.
Chief Scores:
Gurukula – 164 all out in 48.3 overs : Roshan Anuruddha 41, K Madusanka 20, Sashin Dilranga 24, AK Tyron 3/28, Wanindu Hasaranga 3/18.
Richmond – 165/7 in 36.5 overs : Hasitha Madushan 48, Wanindu Hasaranga 22, Pasindu Bimsara 25*, Saveen Nanayakkara 16*, Roshan Anuruddha 3/22, Namal Pathum 2/46, Hashan Dumindu 2/29.
