Richmond College cruised to a resounding nine wicket outright victory over Dharmasoka College Ambalangoda in their inter school under 19 cricket tournament match which concluded at the Galle International Stadium today.
After building up a formidable first innings lead of 127 runs Richmond College once again produced a splendid performance on the field to bundle out their opponents for a modest 162 runs in the second innings.
The Sokians simply did not have the batting strength to play against some quality spin bowling as they succumbed under pressure with Charith Asalanka, Waruna Deshappriya and Wanidu Hasaranga causing the damage.
The only batting resistance for Dharmasoka College came from their opening batsman Isuru Chaturanga who really made amends for his first innings failure while compiling a fighting half century.
Together with Hasindu Vidarshana (36) the pair made a desperate attempt to pull the team out of danger but once they were separated the innings folded up quickly leaving their opponents an easy victory target of 35 runs.
Earlier Richmond College went on to pile up a formidable first innings total of 285 for 7 wickets before declaring at lunch following some superb batting from Charith Asalanka and Kamindu Mendis.
The pair continued from where they left on the previous day and further frustrated the Dharmasoka College bowlers while extending their fourth wicket partnership to over one hundred and fifty runs.
In fact Charith Asalanka had the satisfaction of completing a magnificent century as he struck 135 runs from 180 deliveries inclusive of two sixes and twenty boundaries.
His partner Kamindu Mendis also had the opportunity of reaching the three figure mark but Richmond College decided to close their first innings at lunch as they were keen to make an early declaration and to get rid of the opposition as soon as possible.
As a result Mendis was stranded on a well compiled 83 not out from a total of 170 deliveries and which was studded with nine boundaries.
Dharmasoka College: 158 (Sachin Diwangana 50, Pasan Piyaranga 23, Waruna Deshappriya 4 for 51, Saveen Nanayakkara 2 for 32) and 162 (Isuru Chaturanga 55, Hasindu Vidarshana 36, Charith Asalanka 2 for 40, Waruna Deshappriya 3 for 26, Wanidu Hasaranga 2 for 44)
Richmond College: 285 for 7 declared (Charith Asalanka 135, Kamindu Mendis 83 n. o, Saveen Nanyakkaea 21, Thilan Maduranga 3 for 96, Sudara Deshantha 2 for 64, Ushan Imantha 2 for 64) and 37 for 1
