An aggressive knock of 95 with 14 fours by skipper Subhashitha Ekanayake helped underdogs St. Mary's College to share the honours in their 21st 'Battle of the Golds' against Kegalu Maha Vidyalaya which ended in a tame draw at the Kegalle Public grounds.
Ekanayake who tamed the opponents attack with some delightful stroke play faced 135 deliveries before giving an easy return catch to off-spinner Ranasinghe. In the second innings too he slammed a quick 54 with 8 fours and also captured 4 for 70 with his off cutters which won him the 'Man of the Match' award. He put on 134 for the second wicket with Tharanga Paranavitharne who scored 83 with 8 fours and faced 125 balls.
Having hit up 246 for 7 in 58.5 overs, the Marians put the pressure on their much fancied opponents who were compelled to overtake the score and declare at 279 for 7 in 81 overs by which time the match was safe for both teams. For Kegalu Vidyalaya Anuradha Ranaweera hit a sedate 86 with 15 fours off 179 deliveries. The fireworks were provided by skipper Priyadharshana Pathmaperuma who made an explosive knock of 66 with 10 fours and two sixes off 107 deliveries.
Kegalle District MP and Chairman Kegalle District Sports Foundation Mahipala Herath was the chief guest. ASP Kegalle Lionel Jayasekera was the chief guest at the opening ceremony. The other awards were won by Best Bowler - D. Ranasinghe (Kegalu MV), Best Batsman - Anuradha Ranaweera (Kegalu MV).
St. Mary's College 246 for 7 decl in 58.5 overs, 225 mts (S. Ekanayake 95, T. Paranavitharne 83, A. P. Ariyadasa 37, D. Ranasinghe 4 for 56) and 111 for 4 wkts at stumps in 33 overs, 120 mts (S. Ekanayake 54, A. R. Jinadasa 21 not out, P. D. L. Gunawardena 20, T. Indika 2 for 38).
Kegalu Maha Vidyalaya279 for 7 decl in 81 overs 375 mts (N. Senaratne 27, Anuradha Ranaweera 86, G. Perera 20, Priyadharshana Pathmaperuma 66, T. Indika 34, S. Ekanayake 4 for 70).