Ananda retains P. W. Perera Trophy

By S. M. Jiffry ABDEEN - Kandy sports corr.

Ananda College, Colombo retained the P. W. Perera trophy when they scored a seven wicket win over Dharmaraja College at Lake view grounds, Kandy yesterday with 1.3 overs to spare.

The Anandians were set a victory target of 53 in 10 overs and they made a bash of it to make 55 for 3 in 8.3 overs.

At the end of yesterday's play, the Rajans appeared to have a slight as they had their opponents struggling at 63 for 3 in reply to their total of 142. But yesterday morning the Anandian made a magnificent recovery to total 217. Minura Janadhi made 34 with 10 fours while Thushara Samarakoon further consolidated the Ananda innings with a five knock of 77 which had 11 fours. They were all out for 217 which gave them a very valuable lead of 75 runs.

Rajans in their second innings folded up for 128 with many of their front liners failing to made useful contributions only Sadun Weerakoddy batted with confidence to make 50 with 8 fours.

Leg spinner Sachithra Perera took 4 for 65 to return a match bag of 10 for 112. Spinner Matheesha Perera took 5 for 36 to end up with match figures of 8 for 76.

Dharmaraja 142 all out and 128 (Sadun Weerakoddy 50, Rahula Ekanayake 20, Tharaka Silva 17, S. Gunasekera 19 Sachithra Perera 4 for 65, Mathesha Perera 5 for 36).

Ananda 217 (Thushara Samarakoon 77 Minura Janadhi 74, Tharaka Silva 2 for 77, Hemal Munaweera 4 for 35, A. Withanarachchi 3 for 59, Tharaka Silva 2 for 37) and 55 for 3 in 8.3 overs (J. Wimaladharma 19, S. Divage 14).