Mahanama College Colombo and former runners-up St. Sebastian’s College Moratuwa won their respective Semifinal matches today to reach the finals of the Singer U17 Division I tournament.
After postponing the penultimate stage of the tournament several times due to unfavorable weather conditions the two semifinals eventually concluded today.
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Despite interruptions in Mattegoda, the shortened mini Battle of the Golds between arch-rivals Mahanama College and D.S. Senanayake College was completed successfully. The other game between S. Thomas’ College and St. Sebastian’s College at BRC grounds was played as a usual 50-over game.
With the game forced to be played as a 21-over encounter the Mahanama skipper Pavan Rathnayake opted to chase in the Mattegoda Army Grounds.
DS however were able to put on a competitive score with the help of half-centuries by hard-hitting Amitha Dabare and Vice-captain Pumuditha Perera.
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Justifying his decision at the toss, Rathnayake lead the chase for his team scoring a match-winning half-century to guide his team to the final.
D.S. Senanayake College – 141/5 (21) Amitha Dabare 72, Pumuditha Perera 58, Sithum Kenula 2/14
Mahanama College, Colombo – 142/5 (18.4) Pavan Rathnayake 52, Sachira Weliwatta 24, Sadishan Chamodya 23, Maneendra Jayathilake 2/23, Saniru Dissanayake 2/30
MAHANAMA COLLEGE WON BY 5 WICKETS & QUALIFIED TO FINALS
2.Thomas’ College vs St. Sebastian’s College
Runners-up of the 2018 edition, St. Sebastian’s College were inspired by the match-winning bowling efforts of orthodox spinners Sandun Fernando and Vice-Captain Kalana Sandeepa to defend the 119 they made after winning the toss.
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Thomian off-spinner Anuk Palihawadana, who has been in good form throughout this tournament with both bat and ball once again impressed, first by helping to restrict the Sebastianites for a mere 119.
In the run-chase, he finished as the top-scorer in a poor batting effort by his team. Undone by the Moratuwa spinners, S. Thomas’ were bundled out for just 88 runs handing a 31-run win for St. Sebastian’s College.
St. Sebastian’s College – 119 (47.5) Sandun Fernando 32, Anuk Palihawadana 3/14, Adnaan Janees 2/18
Thomas’ College – 88 (40) Anuk Palihawadana 21, Sandun Fernando 3/10, Kalana Sandeepa 2/14
SEBASTIAN’S WON BY 31 RUNS & QUALIFIED TO FINALS
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