More than two hours of play were denied by bad light and constant drizzle on Saturday evening as S. Thomas’ College took major honours in the 138th Battle of the Blues which ended in a draw against Royal College at SSC.
S. Thomas’ come up level on shortened day two
Vice-Captain Ravindu Kodituwakku missed out on a well-deserved century in the 138th Battle of the Blues as…
A total of 93 overs were lost throughout the course of the match as Royal College were 154 for 8 in their second innings after the Thomians declared their first innings on 357 for 9 with a lead of 102 runs.
Resuming the third and final day on 255 for 4, S. Thomas’ College accelerated from the word go but lost their overnight half-centurion, Sithara Hapuhinna when he top-edged to third-man off Royal skipper Helitha Vithanage in the second over.
Thomas’ skipper Romesh Nallapperuma combined with the lower middle order to score a selfless 92 off 130 balls with 11 fours. Nallapperuma lost both his partners Ishen Perera and Manthila Wijerathne LBW to seamer Himesh Ramanayake who ended up with 4 for 103. Nallapperuma was given LBW off his counterpart Vithanage as the Thomians declared their innings prior to the lunch break.
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Royal was given a major scare prior to lunch when opening batsman Ronuka Jayawardena was clean bowled by Thevin Eriyagama and last years’ hero Pasindu Sooriyabandara was caught behind off Kalana Perera as the Royalists were 2 down for 23.
After lunch, S. Thomas’ College chipped in at regular intervals as fresher Eriyagama sent back Yuvin Herath and Helitha Vithanage in consecutive overs. Left-arm spinner Pavith Rathnayake joined the party to get the outside edge of Kavindu Madarasinghe as Royal College was in big trouble at 61 for 5.
Two 15-year olds, Thevindu Senarathne and Ahan Wickramasinghe showed great temperament adding a fighting 68 runs for the 6th wicket to keep S. Thomas’ at bay. Wickramasinghe was clean bowled by Ravindu Kodituwakku after a well-compiled 31 as the promising stand came to an end.
Senarathne counterattacked smashing 2 sixes and 6 fours to reach 50 but fell in the very next ball as Kalana Perera’s ‘bodyline theory’ worked well for the school by the sea. Nallapperuma dived fully stretched to the left and hung onto a blinder at leg-slip.
Ganith Sandeepa was undone by a beautiful Rathnayake delivery and then to the devastation of the Thomian supporters, the umpires suspended the day’s play at 3.35pm. The match was officially called off at 4.50pm handing the D.S Senanayake Shield back to the Reid Avenue boys.
Brief Scores
Royal – 255 all out in 71.3 overs: Ronuka Jayawardene 32, Pasindu Sooriyabandara 35, Kavindu Madarasinghe 38, Himesh Ramanayake 41, Ganith Sandeepa 42, Kalana Perera 5/47, Pavith Rathnayake 2/69.
S Thomas’ – 357/9 dec in 93.1 overs: Ravindu Kodituwakku 98, Dulith Gunarathne 35, Sithara Hapuhinna 59, Romesh Nallapperuma 90*, Himesh Ramanayake 4/103, Manula Perera 2/56, Helitha Vithanage 2/81.
Royal (2nd Inn) – 154/8 in 41.2 overs: Kavindu Madarasinghe 25, Ahan Wickramasinghe 31, Thevindu Senarathne 50, Kalana Perera 2/60, Thevin Eriyagama 3/46, Pavith Rathnayake 2/11.
Individual Awards
Man of the Match – Romesh Nallapperuma (STC)
Best Bowler – Kalana Perera (STC)
Best Batsman – Ravindu Kodituwakku (STC)
Best Fielder – Manthila Wijerathne (STC)
