St. Peter’s College grabbing first innings points as St Benedict’s survive yet another defeat
After two massive wins during the last couple of weeks St. Peter’s College went head to head against St Benedict’s College at St Benedict’s. College Grounds. Toss was won by the home side and they were not hesitant in putting the visitors to bat given that fact that it’s been overcast all morning. With their batters finding good form during the last matches the boys from Bambalapitiya was confident in making a good first innings score. Despite the overcast conditions and the wet outfield St. Peter’s batters went hard on the home side bowlers. They were scoring at will and was cruising their way to big score. With four consecutive half centuries under his belt, wicket keeper batsman Lakshina Rodrigo slammed a wonderful century his first for the season, only the second centurion for his side this season. His unbeaten knock of 132 was scored in brisk space helping St. Peter’s to get onto a formidable total in few overs. Opening batsman Dineth Thimodya Scored a valuable 51 runs after missing out in the last few matches. A lot is expected from him as they proceed in the tournament. After a fine knock in the last match Sachin Dalpadathu continued to contribute well to his team. He and Centurion Lakshina Rodrigo made an unbeaten stand of 150 runs. Sachin Dalpadathu was unbeaten at 87 when St Peter’s captain Chandula Jayamanna decided to declare their innings. St. Peter’s College scored 306 runs for the loss of 7 wickets in just 61 overs. With ball for St Benedict’s Deepika Jayathilaka bagged 3 wickets 56 runs.
The home side came on to bat in the third session of day one with a mountain to climb ahead of them. Their intentions were clear from the beginning as they were blocking out almost every delivery bowled at them. At the end of day one they were 74 for the loss of four wickets in 34 barely surviving the lethal bowling attack of St Peter’s. St Benedict’s were in back foot from the beginning which helped Peterites to attack the batters at will. Credit should be given to The batters for standing up and resisting this strong bowling attack. Their resistance came to an end after 71.3 overs when the visitors finally managed to bowl them out for a mere 148 runs. Sithum Wijesinghe top scoring with a patient knock of 37 runs. Right arm off spinner Thaneesha Weerakoon took 3 wickets for 31 runs while their highest wicket taker And the spearhead of their bowling attack Vinu Mohotti took 3 wickets for 45 runs.
St Benedict’s College was asked to follow on, trailing by 138 runs. For them it was all about batting the overs out. Close to 50 overs to play it was St. Peter’s game to win but the home side had other ideas. Their resistance was yet again strong against the strong spin bowling attack of St Peter’s. At stumps they were 85 for the loss of 3 wickets, managing to save the match. St Peter’s bagging first innings points and increasing their points tally as they move on to final stages of this years tournament.
St Peter’s College
1st innings 306/7d 61 overs
(Lakshina Rodrigo 133*, Sachin Dalpadathu 87*, Dineth Thimodya 51, Deepika Jayathilaka 3/56)
St Benedict’s College
1st innings 148 all out 71.3 overs
(Sithum Wijesinghe 37, Thaneesha Weerakoon 3/31, Vinu Mohotti 3/45
2nd innings F/O 85/3 45 overs
