An uncharacteristic rain defied St. Joseph’s College from registering an outright win and had to be satisfied with a first-innings win over Mahinda College in their under 19 division 1 cricket encounter at Darley Road.
Chasing 23 runs to win, St. Joseph’s College were 18 for 1 wicket in two overs when rain poured down and forced an early end to the match. Earlier in the match, the hosts made 222 all out in 76.2 overs with 15-year old left-hander Nipun Sumanasinghe scoring an elegant knock of 76. Opening batsman Sandaruwan Rodrigo scored 34 runs while one drop batsman, Kevin Corteling contributed with 25 runs. Pasindu Dilshan and Sachika Udara captured 2 wickets apiece for the visitors.
Mahinda College resuming on their overnight score of 44 for 5 did not last long as they were bundled out for 84 in their 1st innings. Right arm leg-spinner Aravinda Akurugoda bowled a superb spell of 13 overs to take 4 wickets for 19 runs. Opening batsman, Ishara Akalanka top-scored with 27 runs for the team from Galle.
The blue and white College enforced the follow-on and they were ripping apart the Mahinda 2nd innings until Sachika Udara and Pasindu Dilshan put on 72 runs for the 8th wicket which literally saved them the game. Right-handed Sachika Udara batted superbly as he scored an unbeaten 81 runs in 108 balls with 7 fours and 4 sixes. Pasindu Dilshan made 20 runs. Mahinda batted for 63 overs to post 160 runs in the second innings. Left-arm spinner Harin Cooray and leg-spinner Aravinda Akurugoda captured 3 wickets apiece.
Chief Scores:
St. Joseph’s (1st inn) – 222 all out in 66.3 overs: Nipun Sumanasinghe 76, Sandaruwan Rodrigo 34, Kevin Corteling 25, Suren De Silva 22*, Hashindra Perera 20, Sachika Udara 2/48, Pasindu Dilshan 2/30.
Mahinda (1st inn) – 84 all out in 50 overs: Ishara Akalanka 27, Aravinda Akurugoda 4/19.
Mahinda (2nd inn) – 160 all out in 63 overs: Sachika Udara 81*, Pasindu Dilshan 20, Harin Cooray 3/25, Aravinda Akurugoda 3/76, Hashindra Perera 2/32.
St. Joseph’s (2nd inn) – 18/1 in 2 overs.
