By S. M. Jiffrey Abdeen, Kandy South group correspondent
An unblemished knock of 100 (12 fours, 1 six, 160 balls) by vice captain and consistent bat Rodney de Raffayal helped Trinity to score 301 for 9 declared in their inter-school cricket match against St. Joseph's College, Maradana which began at the Asgiriya Stadium yesterday. The match will be continued today at 9.30 a.m.
Raffayal's grand knock boosted the Lions morale for next week's big match against St. Anthony's College.
Trinity College 301 for 9 decl in 87.3 overs 345 mts (C. Molligoda 16, Rodney de Raffayal 100, S. Moratota 36, S. Gamage 30, K. Weeraratne 31, A. N. Jayasena 35 not out, C. Aluthge 33, R. de Silva 2 for 44, G. Van Sanden 2 for 21, D. Fernando 2 for 51, M. Perera 2 for 87).
St. Joseph's College 12 for 2 in 4.2 overs (I. Daniel 11, S. Moratota 1 for 5, S. Gamage 1 for 4).
Tame draw at Peradeniya
by our Kandy south group corr.
A massive second wicket stand of 204 between Sri Lanka youth player Chamara Silva 201 (27 fours, 1 six) and T. Anjula 112 (16 fours, 1 six) was for Royal College, Panadura, was the highlight of their inter-school cricket match against Sri Rahula College, Katugastota, which ended in a tame draw at Peradeniya yesterday.
Sri Rahula College 271 for 7 decl and 21 for 2 in 8 overs.
Royal College, Panadura 433 all out in 96 overs (Chamara Silva 201, T. Anjula 112, S. Deshabandu 38, D. Mahesh 17, D. Gayanga 24, N. Ratnayake 3 for 83, S. Bandara 2 for 45, C. Telwadana 2 for 51). Damith - 8/100 By our Kandy South group correspondent
Good bowling by medium pacer Damith Balasuriya who captured 8 for 100 for Sri Sumangala Maha Vidyalaya, Kandy was the highlight of their inter-school cricket match against St. Anthony's College 'A' Kandy which began at Police grounds, Kandy yesterday. The match will be continued today at 9.30 a.m.
St. Anthony's College 'A' 240 all out in 55 overs (S. Mulhakuda 15, C. Liyanage 21, S. Nandasiri 30, M. Pawas 49, K. Jayasinghe 38, M. Pullikuttiarachchi 21 n.o., P. Kurukulasuriya 10, Damith Balasuriya 8 for 100).
Sri Sumangala MV 144 for 3 in 40 overs (C. Fernando 31, D. Tennakoon 64 not out, K. Fernando 19 not out, M. Sulfan 2 for 25). Bloomfield go on a scoring spree
Bloomfield powered by a century from Tharaka Gunaratne (108 off 165 balls, 14 fours) and a swashbuckling knock of 50 off 30 balls (3 sixes, 7 fours) from Ruchira Palliyaguru hit up a first day total of 462 for 6 wickets against Panadura SC in their Sara trophy division I Segment 'A' match at Reid Avenue yesterday.
There were half-century contributions from S.K. Perera (62 with 10 fours), Sampath Perera (73 with 10 fours) and Ruwan Kalpage (73 not out with one six, 6 fours). The match continues today at 9.45 a.m.
Bloomfield 462 for 6 at close in 95 overs (S.K. Perera 62, T. Gunaratne 108, S. Perera 73, R.S. Kalpage 73 n.o., R. Palliyaguru 50 n.o., P. Dasanayake 27, P. Wickremasinghe 22, N. Jayalath 2 for 56, K. Silva 2 for 105) v Panadura SC - [S.T.]
SEBS 246; NCC 79/3
(Dilwin Mendis, Moratuwa Sports Correspondent)
Sanjeeva Silva and Nimesh Perera hit half-centuries to enable Sebastianites total 246 in their Sara trophy Segment 'A' match against NCC at Moratuwa Stadium yesterday. NCC replied with 79 for 3 by the close. The match continues today at 9.45 a.m.
Sebastianites 246 in 69.5 overs (S. Silva 60, N. Perera 53, C. Liyanage 32, A. Weerappulli 4 for 75, L. Hannibal 3 for 45, C. Fernando 2 for 31)
NCC 79 for 3 at close (S. Weerasinghe 25, S. Warusamana 22 n.o.)
ANTONIANS 118; MOORS 181/7
Chandika Hathurusingha came up with a fine all-round performance (83 off 89 balls, 14 fours) and 3 for 22) to enable Moors take first innings points off Antonians on the first day of their Sara trophy Segment 'A' match played at Braybrooke Place yesterday.
Antonians 118 (P. Perera 23, Y. Tillekeratne 18, R. Priyadarshana 3 for 18, A. Jayasinghe 2 for 21, C. Hathurusingha 3 for 22)
Moors SC 181 for 7 at close (C. Hathurusingha 83, R. Priyadarshana 37 n.o., S. Wijesiri 15, P. Wanasinghe 2 for 47, T. Dhammika 3 for 51) - [C.D.]
CCC 168/6 v COLTS
CCC made 168 for six wickets on the first day of their Sara trophy Segment 'A' match against Colts at Havelock Park yesterday. BRC shot out for 219
BRC were bowled out for 219 off 93.5 overs on the opening day of their Sara Trophy Division one tournament match against Kurunegala YCC begun at the Welagedara Stadium, Kurunegala yesterday.
Suvanji Madanayake (40) and S. Tennakoon (47) made main contributions towards BRC's modest first innings total. R. Herath had 4 for 41. The home team made nine for no loss at close.
BRC 219 all out (Suvanji Madanayake 40, S. Tennekoon 47, C. Perera 32, Shane Mackey 29, A. Ranaweera 20, R. Herath 4 for 41, W. Kumara 2 for 45).
Kurunegala YCC 9 for no loss at close. - (D.W.)
Dharmapala amass 402/4
Sanjaya Devapura (145 with 2 sixes, 19 fours) and Hiran Gunawardena (108 with 2 sixes, 12 fours) hit centuries apiece to help Dharmapala rattle up an impressive 402 for 4 declared on the first day of their school's cricket match against Sri Sumangala at Pannipitiya yesterday.
The match continues today with Sri Sumangala on 40 for one.
Dharmapala 402 for 4 decl (S. Devapura 145, H. Gunawardena 108, T. Seneviratne 51 n.o., C. Jayasinghe 48, S. Dinesh 34, Amila Perera 4 for 105).
Sri Sumangala 40 for one at close (M. Liyanage 17 n.o.).
RADDOLUWA MMV 281/9; KALUTARA 11/3
Raddoluwa MMV were in control of their cricket match against Kalutara Vidyalaya played at Kalutara yesterday. Raddoluwa hit up 281 for 9 declared and reduced Kalutara Vidyalaya to 11 for 3 by the close. The match continues today at 9.15 a.m.
Raddoluwa MMV 281 for 9 decl. (C. Delpechitra 72, S. Arangalla 60, D. Ranatunga 26, R. Tennakoon 70, W. Rajapakse 25, M. Bandara 5 for 81, T. Abeyratne 2 for 70).
Kalutara Vidyalaya 11 for 3 at close (S. Paris 2 for 3).
PRESIDENT'S COLLEGE 237; MALIYADEVA 76/5
(Herbert Perera, Kotte Sports Correspondent)
President's College held the upperhand on the first day of their schools cricket match against Maliyadeva, Kurunegala at Health Department grounds yesterday. They scored 237 and captured five Maliyadeva wickets for 76 runs. The match continues today at 9.30 a.m.
President's College 237 (D. Sooriyarachchi 44, S. Withana 26, P. Chamara 46, C. de Silva 41, P. Caldera 26, M. Faris 15, T. Wijesinghe 4 for 45, C. Rajasinghe 2 for 55, D. Kulatillake 2 for 77).
Maliyadeva 76 for 5 at close (I. Dharmawardena 20, T. Basnayake 19, A. Bandula 19 n.o., P, Chamara 2 for 15).
MAHINDA 218/9; ST. ALOYSIUS 11/1
(Mahinda Liyanage, Galle Central Special Correspondent)
Hirantha Wijesinghe scored his seventh half century for Mahinda and completed 1,000 runs for the season in their match against St. Aloysius played at Galle esplanade yesterday.
Mahinda 218 for 9 decl. (H. Dharmasena 41, D. Mallawarachchi 26, H. Wijesinghe 53, R.P. Kumara 23, T. Rupasinghe 16, E. Ratnayake 3 for 44, U. Erandika 2 for 61, V. Perera 3 for 48).
St. Aloysius 11 for one at close. Innings win for Ibbagamuwa by our Kandy south group corr
Good knocks by P. Herath 98 (4 sixes, 12 fours) and P. Gunasinghe 96 (6 sixes, 11 fours) helped Ibbagamuwa Central College to score an innings and 86 runs win over St. Mary's College, Kegalle in their inter-school cricket match played at Ibbagamuwa.
St. Mary's College 118 all out in 38 overs (T. Paranavitharne 22, N. G. Samaratunga 27 not out, P. D. L. Gunawardena 28, C. Gunawardena 3 for 36, J. Livera 4 for 6) AND 162 all out in 66 overs (A. P. Ariyadasa 26, P. D. L. Gunawardena 16, M. Arachchi 27 not out, P. Gunasinghe 6 for 34, A. Wekadapola 3 for 22).
Ibbagmuwa Central 366 for 9 decl. in 75 overs (P. Herath 98, W. Abeysinghe 27, P. Gunasinghe 96, S. Ratnapala 37, S. Samaraweera 18, S. Ekanayake 4 for 29, K. K. Saminda 2 for 23, N. G. Samaraweera 2 for 43). Antonians amass 257/5 By our Kandy south group correspondent
St. Anthony's College, Kandy scored 257 for 5 declared in their inter school cricket match against St. Peter's College, Bambalapitiya which began at Katugastota yesterday. The match will be continued today at 9.30 a.m.
At close Peterites had replied strongly with 58 for no loss.
Thurstan have the edge
By Chris Dhambarage
Thurstan College with a penetrative bowling attack will have the edge when they take on the traditional rivals Isipatana College in their 35th annual cricket encounter which begins at the P.Saravanamuttu Stadium today.
The Thurstanites have a better track record having notched up three good victories during the season. They have also dominated a couple of other matches but unfortunately have failed to add the finishing touches.
In contrast Isipatana have recorded only a solitary win during the season but they have remained unbeaten which is the most important fact for the side. This should increase their confidence and they will be determined to put up an improved performance in this crucial encounter.
Thurstan's strong point is their bowling attack and they will go all out to exploit the conditions. Skipper Tharindu Wickremasinghe and Indunil Wickremasinghe have been successful in providing the early breakthrough and should turn out to a major threat to the opposition.
They have plenty of variety with the off spinner Suresh Perera in good form. He is capable of running through the opposing batting line up and will have the support of left arm spinner Gihan de Silva and Shimal Aponso. Thurstan's batting depends mainly on the two openers Arjuna Dayananda and Srikantha Wedage who have been quite consistent throughout the season.
Isipatana have a well balanced side on paper but have failed to deliver the goods in the current season. As a result the pressure will be more on them and will need a fine team effort to beat their opponents.
Thurstan are currently leading the series 3-2 having recorded their previous win in 1992 under the captaincy of Mackenzie Perera. Isipatana registered their last win in 1986 under the leadership of Chetaka Perera.
The teams.
Thurstan (from): Tharindu Wickremasinghe (captain), Srikantha Wedage, Gihan Sendanayake, Shimal Aponso, Gihan Silva, Suresh Perera, Arjuna Dayananda, Indunil Wickremasinghe, Dinusha Karannagoda, Udayanga Chamara, Malaka Paranavithana, Sidath Soysa, Priyanga Mallikarachchi, Damith Wickremaratne, Mohamed Nishafdeen, Nisal Randhika, Shanaka Silva.
Young blood in Thurstan side
By Chris Dhambarage
Thurstan College with a young outfit are hoping that their newcomers will click when they take on traditional rivals Isipatana in their 35th annual cricket encounter on March 7 and 8 at the P. Saravanamuttu Stadium.
They have a fine track record during the season despite having the services of several newcomers in the team. They have three victories to their credit against Zahira, Mahanama MV and St. Anthony's College Wattala. However they have lost to Nalanda and D. S. Senanayake.
Thurstan have always played the game in a positive manner and are determined to put up an even better performance in this vital encounter. They have always rallied around through team work and have been quite successful in dominating a number of inter school matches. They have failed to add the finishing touches on a couple of occasions and this has been mainly due to the lack of experience.
But they have made steady progress during the last few outings and are quite anxious to conclude the season on a impressive note. They have a fairly good batting line up spearheaded by Arjuna Dayananda who is the only centurian in the side. The opener hit a chanceless century against St.Sylvester's College, Kandy, and altogether he has a tally of over 750 runs for the season.
The other opening batsman Srikantha Wedage too has been quite consistent throughout the season and has compiled over 500 runs. The team is also studded with a couple of good all rounders who have made some valuable contributions towards the side.
Skipper Tharindu Wickremasinghe has lived upto expectations as a fine all rounder having pulled his side out of danger on a number of occasions. The medium paceman has captured over 25 wickets and has a tally of over 500 runs during the season. His deputy Indunil Wickremasinghe too has been among the wickets and has a tally of 30 during the season.
However the off spinner Suresh Perera has turned out to be their leading wicket taker with a tally of 55 wickets. He is well supported by the left arm spinner Gihan de Silva who has picked up 40 wickets during the season.
Isipatana - unbeaten and confident
By Chris Dhambarage
Isipatana College with an unbeaten record in the current season are confident of putting up a good performance when they meet the traditional rivals Thurstan College in their 35th annual cricket encounter on March 7 and 8 at the P. Saravanamuttu Stadium.
The team has not performed anything extraordinary and has recorded only a solitary win over President's College from their fourteen outings. However all their senior players are in good form and capable of rising to the occasion.
The team is studded with three Sri Lanka coloursmen namely skipper Muditha Fernando, vice captain Gayan Mendis and wicket keeper Wasana Patabedige. The former was one of the stand byes for the under-15 tour of England last year and was also a member of the Sri Lanka under-19 pool for the tour of South Africa. Gayan Mendis too was a member of the Sri Lanka under-19 pool for the under-17 tour of India.
Wasana Patabedige who was in the Sri Lanka under-19 pool for the tour of South Africa is their third coloursman in the side. Isipatana also do have the backing up of several other senior players who are determined to put up a good performance in this important fixture.
Skipper Muditha Fernando is one of their leading run getters having collected over 500 runs during the season inclusive of five half centuries. Left hander Gayan Randiligama too have piled up over 500 runs along with Kanchcana Rodrigo.
Their bowling attack is spearheaded by the left arm spinner Gayan Mendis who has captured over 40 wickets during the season. He is one of their key players in the side and is expected to play a dominant role in this important encounter. He will be supported by the leg spinner Krishantha Jayawardena and Nilantha Atapattu who have been among the wickets throughout the season.
Their pace attack will be handled by Manoj Fernando and Niluka Peiris with both capable of exploiting the conditions to a great extent.