Banuka's ton fails to save Royal

By S. M. Jiffrey Abdeen, Kandy Sports Corr

Despite a courageous knock of 103 by Banuka Rajapakse, Royal could not stop Trinity College from registering a fairly comfortable six wicket win over Royal College, Colombo in their inter school cricket match concluded at the Asgiriya Stadium, Kandy yesterday.

Royal College who were trailing by 107 rund at the end of the first day with 7 wickets in hand fought back yesterday morning.

But with the dismissal of Banuka the innings crumbled and they were shot out for 227 - losing their last five wickets for 23 runs.

Banuka hit 17 fours and faced 143 deliveries in a classic knock. He was associated in a sixth wicket stand of 84 with Madusha Rajaratne 43. Earlier in the morning Banuka was associated in a fourth wicket stand of 58 with Devin Padmanathan who made 24 with 3 fours to spearheaded the recovery.

Trinity were set a victory target of 94 and they appeared to be in a hurry and lost 4 wickets for 51 before Kheliya Atugoda 41 not out and Rushan Jaleel 16 not out steered them to the winning post without any further loss.

Trinity: 245 and 95 for 4 (Kheliya Atugoda 41 not out, Heshan Wanniaarachchi 13, Rushan Jaleel 16 not out, Devin Padmanathan 3 for 46).

Royal: 112 and 227 in 74.2 overs (Chaluka Bogoda 16, Devin Padmanathan 24, Banuka Rajapakse 103, Madusha Rajaratne 43, Kavinda Jayasuriya 4 for 47, Heshan Wanniaarachchi 2 for 27, Suresh Wickrema 2 for 87).