The grand finale of the Singer Schools under 17 division 2 was worked off at the Thurstan Grounds between title heavy weights St. Peter’s College and St. Sebastians College, Moratuwa. St. Peter’s College won the match by 4 wickets and was crowned the division 2 champions.
Earlier today, St. Sebastians College won the toss and in a surprise move elected to bat in what seemed like bowler friendly conditions. Opening the batting for the Moratuwa lads was Didula Peiris and Dominic Perera, who looked shaken up in the middle. In the 2nd ball of the 4th over the Peterites got their first break through when they got the wicket of Dominic Perera who was out for 4 runs. The Peterites kept getting wickets consistently as Didula Peiris fell after facing 92 balls with only scoring 18 runs. However the middle order regrouped and constructed much valuable partnerships between Dishen de Mel (28), Shane Fernando (68) and Dimithra Perera (28). Shane Fernando ran himself out with the score at 180 runs which did not help the Sebastian’s cause. Eventually the Moratuwa side submitted at 196/8 with credit going to the Peterites for exploiting the bowling conditions.
As the Peterite openers Rishika Santhush and Dinuka Rodrigo walked out there was a buzz as to whether the Moratuwa lads can take advantage of the favourable bowling conditions to defend their score. The 3rd ball of the second over answered that buzz as Rishika was caught in the slips by Banula off the bowling of Didula Peiris. Didula trying to make amends for his dismal batting display struck again in the 4th over as he got Dinuka Rodrigo caught behind for a duck. The captain of the Peterite side Himsara Ranadeni and Sandaru Gamage came and steadied the boat as they formed a crucial and match winning partnership. However the captain sent the ball right back to Supun Fernando for a match winning 80 runs. Nirosh Perera and Yohan Aruna made sure they stuck till the end to make sure they reached the target in the 48th over and walk away with the Championship.
Match Summary
Toss: St. Sebastians elected to bat
St. Sebastian’s College – 196/8 (50 overs) Shane Fernando 68, Dishen De Mel 28, Dimithra Perera 28, Dinuka Rodrigo 3/38, Nirosh Perera 2/29
St. Peter’s College – 200/6 (47.3 overs) Himsara Ranadeni 80, Mayura Samarawickrama 39, Nirosh Perera 25, Supun Fernando 3/19, Didula Peiris 2/14
St. Peter’s win by 4 wickets and the Division 2 Championship
