Gutsy Josephian batting helped them chase down a massive Royal score and win the game on first innings in their 118th traditional annual cricket fixture at Darley Road on Monday.
One drop batsman Sandaruwan Rodrigo played one of his most matured knocks but failed to score his maiden 1st XI ton when he fell just 3 runs behind. St. Joseph’s College resuming from their overnight score of 46/2 lost Manik Goonawardene early on. Vice-captain Hashindra Perera and right-hander Rodrigo resurrected the Joes innings with a superb partnership for the 4th wicket. Left-hander Perera scored a patient 73.
After the dismissal of Sandaruwan, 15-year old Jehan Daniel was entrusted with the responsibility of steering his College over the winning line and the right-hander played another swashbuckling innings of 91 to help the hosts win the first-innings points. Leg-spinning all-rounder Aravinda Akurugoda chipped in with valuable 44 runs. Left-arm spin twins, Lasith Embuldeniya and skipper Harith Samarasinghe shared 8 wickets while the former bagged a five-wicket haul.
On day 1, Royal blasted a mammoth 341 for 3 wickets declared in 75 overs. Left-handed middle order batsman Randev Pathirana smashed a classic 103* in 117 inclusive of 6 fours and 4 sixes. Opening pair of Naveen Vidanapathirana and Hasitha Samarasinghe made quick-fire half-centuries.
Royal College in their 2nd innings was 36 for 3 at close of play.
Chief Scores:
Royal College – 341/3 declared in 75 overs: Naveen Vidanapathirana 71, Hasitha Samarasinghe 66, Geeshanth Panditharathna 45, Randev Pathirana 103*, Chamika Karunarathne 37*.
St. Joseph’s College – 371 all out in 108.1 overs: Sandaruwan Rodrigo 97, Jehan Daniel 91, Hashindra Perera 71, Aravinda Akurugoda 44, Lasith Embuldeniya 5/111, Harith Samarasinghe 3/89.
Royal College (2nd inn) – 36/3 in 10.2 overs.
Ananda College vs S. Thomas’ College
Nisal Fransisco smashed a superlative century as Ananda College took major honours on day 1 against S. Thomas’ College in their under 19 division 1 encounter at Ananda Mawatha.
After selecting to bat first, Ananda innings was controlled by right-hander Nisal Fransisco’s brilliant ton. Seamer and tailender Kavishka Anjula chipped in with 44 while Nipun Haggala made 33 as Ananda made a hefty first innings score of 303 all out. Thomians were in dire straits nearing the stumps as they lost three early wickets for only 31 runs on the board.
Match will be continued tomorrow.
Chief Scores:
Ananda College – 303 all out in 85.3 overs: Nisal Fransico 108, Kavishka Anjula 44, Nipun Haggala 38, Tharindu Rathnayake 4/99.
S. Thomas’ College – 31/3 in 13 overs.
