A vital half ton by deputy Thiran Dhanapala succoured Royal to recover from a grueling situation to force a draw against a dominant Isipathana side at Colts Cricket Ground.
Winning the toss, Isipathana captain Salinda Ushan invited Royal to take the first lease of the wicket. The hosts attacked from the beginning and some terrific bowling carved early inroads as the Royalists were subdued for 72. For Isipathana, Pramod Maduwantha, Neeranjan Wanniarachchi and Iwanka Sanjula did the magic, sharing 8 wickets between them.
Isipathana’s first innings remained 46/2 at stumps and the visitors deprived them of causing further damage on the following day as they were bowled out for 139. Vishad Randika scored 38 while Lasith Embuldeniya cropped 5 wickets.
A 67-run deficit, did not curb the Royalists as they took an aggressive approach to counter the formidable bowling attack. Opener Naveen Vithanapathirana led from the front scoring a 46 run cameo but after being at 47/1, wickets in quick succession saw a sudden collapse and the Royalists struggling at 84/6. The shift of momentum and a mere 17 run lead did not hinder the new pair Thiran Dhanapala and Lasith Embuldeinya as they continued to accelerate despite the taxing threat by the Isipathanians. The crucial 66-run partnership was finally broken by Iwanka Sanjula’s leg spin as he dismissed Embuldeniya but Thiran Dhanapala reached a splendid, quick-fire half ton. Later he was rattled by Iwanka Sanjula for 54 before the Royalists declared at 184/8.
Chasing a target of 117, Isipathana were on 26/2 at close. Lasith Embuldeniya captured 2 wickets, taking up his tally to a staggering 51 scalps in 6 games.
Chief Scores –
1st innings –
Royal College – 72 all out (31 overs) (Malith Kariyawasam 14; Pramod Maduwantha 3 for 20, Neeranjan Wanniarachchi 3 for 24, Iwanka Sanjula 2 for 7)
Isipathana College – 139 all out (49.3 overs) (Vishad Randika 38, Heshan Fernando 31, Sanjula Abeywickrama 28; Lasith Embuldeniya 5 for 29, Ganith Sandeepa 2 for 20)
2nd innings –
Royal College – 184/8 dec (56 overs) (Thiran Dhanapala 54, Naveen Vithanapathirana 46; Ayana Siriwardena 3 for 27, Iwanka Sanjula 2 for 49)
Isipathana College – 26/2 (10 overs) (Sanjula Abeywickrama 14; Lasith Embuldeniya 2 for 10)
Result – Match drawn
