Old Peterites too hot for Old Josephians

The Peterites who won the toss and elected to bat first in the final played at the St. Anthony’s College grounds in Katugastota, ran into early trouble with the Old Joes skipper Ian Daniel striking twice in as many deliveries before Chathuranga Kumara got rid of the centurion from the opening day, Shehan Fernando.

Janith Liyanage was involved in two useful partnerships with Akshu Fernando and skipper Chathura Pieris as he resurrected the Peterite innings with a classy knock of 88. Roshene Silva bowled brilliantly at the death for the Josephians picking up 3/25 but the Peterites managed to post a competitive 252 all out before they were bowled out with two balls to spare in their innings.

The Peterite entered the finals thrashing the Old Benedictines by 8 wickets on the back of an explosive Shehan Fernando century while the Josephians put up a brilliant all round display to overcome the Old Anthonians by 5 wickets at the Welegedara Stadium in Kurunegala.

The Josephian run chase got off to the worst possible start as their top four batsmen were back in the pavilion at the end of the 10th over. Vinod Perera was the chief destroyer as he bowled a fiery spell with the new ball before Sri Lanka A representatives Roshene Silva and Priyamal Perera got things back on track with a brilliant century stand for the 5th wicket before Perera was unfortunately run out for 59. Silva batted deep into the innings while others fell around him before he found a partner to stick around in Supeshala Jayathileke who made 46 with three towering sixes to keep hopes alive for the Josephians. A mix up between the duo ended the Silva’s(62) valiant effort and when Jayathileke was caught behind off Janith Liyanage, the Josephians were bowled out for 221 handing a brilliant 31 run victory for the Peterites.