A 31 year hoodoo for the boys from Reid Avenue might continue to narrate its tale while they gained first innings honours against rivals St. Peter’s College at Bambalapitiya.
It was Roshan Jurangpathy’s team in 1986, the was last outfit to beat St. Peter’s in a 1xi fixture. Royal’s last win against the Peterites at Bambalapitiya dates back to 1977 and since their victory in 1986, St. Peter’s have outplayed Royalists 4 times including the win in 2015, which was also Royal’s first 1xi defeat in 4 seasons. The traditional fixture has been always a close call, especially the last year’s stirring finale at Reid Avenue.
Winning the toss, Peterite skipper Lakshina Rodrigo decided to take the first lease of the wicket. The home team’s endeavour was fortified through a solid 127 run stand for the 4th wicket between the skipper himself and Vinul Gunawardene. The visitors managed to subdue the hosts at 235/9 before responding with 72/1 at stumps. For Royal, Ronuka Jayawardene and Pasindu Sooriyabandara were unbeaten on 44 and 27 respectively.
On day 2, Ronuka continued his venture, bracing the innings with 55 after Pasindu’s departure for 31. Himesh Ramanayake’s robust batting display launched its ballistics amidst the hapless bowlers. At a point, Royal were struggling on 185/7 but Ramanayake’s defiance shielded the tail-enders as he continued the carnage. His 117 runs saw Royal ending up with 247.
With a 12 run deficit, the hosts commenced their second essay as Santhush Gunathilake, who claimed three victims in the first innings, quashed the visitors at his presence. His rapid ton, alongside Lakshina’s 55 saw home team reaching 203/3 at declaration, setting a target of 192 for the Royalists.
At close, the visitors remained on 94/3 in 13 overs led by Pasindu’s quick fire 52.
Chief Scores –
St. Peters College 1st innings – 235/9 dec (65 overs) (Lakshina Rodrigo 73, Vinul Gunawardane 81; Abhishek Perera 3 for 38, Manula Perera 3 for 68)
Royal College, 1st innings – 247 all out (65.2 overs) (Himesh Ramanayke 117, Ronuka Jayawardana 55, Pasindu Sooriyabandara 31, Heltha Vithanage 30; Chathura Obeysekara 3 for 31, Santhush Gunathilake 3 for 49, Mohomad Ameeen 3 for 102)St Peter’s College 2nd innings – 203/3 dec (38 overs) (Santhush Gunathilake 103*, Lakshina Rodrigo 55*, Vinul Gunawardana 30, Manula Perera 2 for 75)
Royal College 2nd innings – 94/3 (13 overs) (Pasindu Sooriyabandara 52*, Ronuka Jayawardana 23)
Trinity College vs St. Sebastian’s College at Kandy (Day 1)
At Asgiriya, Trinity hosted St. Sebastian’s in their Group A game. Batting first, the home team was curbed for 189 by the visitors.
Captain Nimesh Bandara’s 5 for 62 was supported by Asher Warnakulasuriya who took 3 scalps. Trevon Percivel grappled with 37 for the hosts. At stumps, St. Sebastian’s were on 60/1.
Chief Scores –
Trinity College 1st innings – 189 all out (73.1 overs) (Trevon Percivel 37, Ruvin Pieris 30, Poorna Wanasekara 27; Nimesh Bandara 5 for 62, Asher Warnakulasuriya 3 for 27)
St. Sebastian’s College 1st innings – 60/1 (20 overs) (Dulaj Silva 24*)
Mahinda College vs Isipathana College at Galle (Day 1)
Spearheaded by skipper Sanjula Abeywickrama’s sublime 115, Isipathana College piled up at stumps 313/7 against hosts Mahinda College in their Group B fixture in Galle.
For the visitors, Sanjula Bandara played second fiddle with 61.
Chief Scores –
Isipathana College, 1st innings – 306/7 (93 overs) (Sanjula Abeywickrama 115, Sanjula Bandra 61, Leshan Amarasinghe 51*, Harsha Rathnayake 31)
