Shock! Leaders drop to third place

The keen tussle for the Most Popular ‘crowns’ of the Observer-Mobitel Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year contest continued as two different leaders emerged in the All-Island and Outstation segments after the latest count of voting.

Royalist Shavenda (89,704 votes) who regained the lead in the All-Island contest last week, dropped to third place as Chathura Peiris of St.Peter’s College took a thrilling lead after the latest counting with 89,901 votes.

In second place is Edirisuriya’s team mate from Reid Avenue, Kithruwan Vithanage who polled 89,827 votes. A mere 203 votes separate the three and it could be one of the three who will be crowned the Observer-Mobitel Most Popular Schoolboy Cricketer (All-Island) next month. As in the All-Island competition, last week’s leader of the Outstation contest, Malinda Samarasekera of Maris Stella College too has slumped to third place with 72,852 votes. K. Wickremarachchi (73,001 votes) of Gamini MV, Bentota has taken on another thrilling lead - 97 votes more than the second-placed N. Rajaguru of Nugawela Central who polled 72,904 votes.