by SM Jiffrey Abdeen
Maliyadeva College, Kurunegala, entered the semi-finals of the schools under-15 Division I cricket tournament for the Horlicks Trophy when they beat St. Anthony's College on bonus points in a match which was affected by rain at Kurunegala, during the week.
Maliyadeva batting first totalled 168 in 49.2 overs. When the Anthonians went into bat, the sky was overcast and there was a thin drizzle but they threw caution to the winds and went upto 80 for 2 in only 18 overs. But the rains came down at 3.45 p.m. and the match had to be called off with the Devans edging out the Antonians by a fraction of a point.
Scores:
Maliyadeva College 168 all out in 49.2 overs (M. Gunaratne 48, C. Gunapala 31, T. Konara 26, D. Gunatillake 13, C. Jayasundera 17, D. Malmeewala 10, T. de Silva 2 for 32, P. D. Ranawaka 2 for 17).
St. Antony's College 80 for 2 in 18 overs (N. Ratnayake 23, M. Ruzly 21 not out, A. B. Amunugama 15).
Ganga Palatha MV win annual limited-over clash
by SM Jiffrey Abdeen
Ganga Palatha Maha Vidyalaya, Hanguranketha beat Diyatillake Central College, Hanguranketha by 19 runs to annex the S. B. Dissanayake Challenge Trophy in their inaugural limited over clash in the 'Battle of Dabran' played on the Reservoir grounds, Hanguranketha.
This was sweet revenge for Ganga Palatha MV who lost the Big match by nine wickets the previous day. With this win Ganga Palatha MV go one up in the series. Both schools who were playing only softball cricket earlier have now graduated to leather ball cricket at the behest of Minister of Sports S. B. Dissanayake, who hails from the Hanguranketha electorate and donated the trophies for the limited over clash.
Minister S. B. Dissanayake who was the chief guest at the limited over clash spent a good apart of the afternoon watching the fledglings at cricket and distributed the awards at the conclusion of the match.
Batting first Ganga Palatha MV ran up a modest 129, with the last five wickets falling for 8 runs. Medium pacer Senarath Bandara bowled well to captured 5 for 35.
In reply Diyatillake Central after a good start collapsed for 110 with Priyantha Bandara 5 for 16 doing the damage.
Saman Gunawardena who scored 35 and took 2 for 20 was adjudged the man of the match with Gunasinghe Subowickrema as the best batsman. The best bowlers' award went to Priyantha Bandara.
Messrs H. B. Uduwerella and Chandrasiri Bandara of the Central Province Umpires Association officiated.
Scores:
Ganga Palatha MV 129 all out in 28.5 overs (Sisira Dissanayake 12, Saman Gunawardena 35, Gunasinghe Subowickrema 32, Ananda jayasekera 2 for 17, Senerath Bandara 5 for 35).
Diyatillake Central 110 all out in 34.4 overs (Sanath Jayawardena 14, R. G. Ratnaweera 16, Priyantha Bandara 5 for 16, Saman Gunawardena 2 for 20).