Great all-round performance from St. Peter’s College as they cruised their way to an eight-wicket victory over Royal College in their under 19 school cricket encounter at Bambalapitiya on Saturday.
As we approach the big match season, Schools U19 Cricket tournament is getting intense day by day. Royal College skipper Harith Samarasinghe won the toss and asked the home side to bat first. The Peterite middle order finally found form to make a good first innings score. Continuing his good run with the bat wicket-keeper batsman Lakshina Rodrigo scored his third consecutive half century, scoring 61 runs together with Captain Chandula Jayamanna also scoring his third consecutive half century helped St. Peter’s get to 284 all out in 68.5 overs. Opening batsman Didulana Mendis chipped in with a valuable 57 runs. With the ball seamer Chamika Karunaratna bagged 3 wickets for 26.
Royalists came on to bat in the third session on day one having a mammoth task ahead of them. St. Peter’s spin bowling attack was yet again lethal on their opponents. At the end of day one Royal College was crumbling at 19 for the loss of 3 wickets. Peterites carried on from where they stopped on the first day. The only batsman who could survive in the crease to score some runs was left-hander Naveen Vidanapathirana. He scored a vital knock of 43 runs which ultimately was not enough for the visitors to survive defeat as they were bundled out for 138 in 53.4 overs. Left arm off spinner Ashanth Malka bagged 4 wickets for 47 runs while Captain Chandula Jayamanna took 3 wickets for 21 runs with his gentle right arm seam.
Having bowled out cheaply in first innings Royal College was asked to follow on with 146 runs behind. Their spin bowling attack led by off-spinner Vinu Mohotti went hard on the batters. Yet again the Royalists were crumbling down and it was Naveen Vidanapathirana who came to the rescue again. This time he almost saved the game for Royal College. But he was losing partners at the other end. Credit should be given to Naveen for his character which was shown stunningly in the middle during his knock of 85. Royal College was bowled out in the second innings for just 193 runs in 64 overs. Vinu Mohotti bagged 6 wickets for 85 runs. Right arm off spinner Taneesha Weerakoon bagged 3 wickets for 35 runs. With just 48 runs for victory St. Peter’s College reached the target in just 4.5 overs since the time was running out on them.
Chief Scores:
St. Peter’s College – 284 all out 68.5 overs Chandula Jayamanna 66, Lakshina Rodrigo 61, Didulana Mendis 57, Chamika Karunaratna 3/26, Himesh Ramanayka 2/37.
Royal College – 138 all out 53.4 overs: Naveen Vidanapathirana 43, Chandula Jayamanna 3/21, Ashanth Malka 4/47.
Royal College (2nd innings) – 193 all out 64 overs: Naveen Vidanapathirana 85, Vinu Mohotti 6/85, Taneesha Weerakoon 3/35.
St. Peter’s College (2nd innings) – 48/2 in 4.5 overs
