Heshan (58) helps Royal force a draw

by S. M. Jiffrey ABDEEN- Kandy Sports Correspondent

Strong rear guard action helped Royal College, Colombo to force a draw in their inter-school cricket match against Trinity College concluded at the Asgiriya Stadium, Kandy yesterday.

Trailing behind by 40 runs in the first innings Royal College had defeat staring before them before tea time when they were tottering at 69 for 6, with a lead of 39 runs and only four wickets in hand with over a session of play remaining.But a stubborn knock of 58 with 10 fours off 128 balls by Heshan Kumarasiri stopped the Lions from going on the rampage.

First Heshan Kumarasiri put on 43 for the seventh wicket with Poorna Aluthge who made 32. But time was an important factor for their survival. Next he put on 37 for the 8th wicket with Devind Pathmanathan who made 9 with these two partnerships stealing the time away. Trinity's chances of forcing a win frittered away.

Spinner Janishka Premasinghe took 6 for 66 to bring his season' tally to 92 wickets.Earlier Trinity College continuing their overnight score of 121 for 3 declared their innings closed at 277 for 9 after batting for 52 overs. Lakshitha Dassanayake did well to score 44 not out with 7 fours off 41 balls. Akila Jayasundera made a quick 36 with 3 fours off 31 balls.

With only one over left Trinity's skipper Niroshan Dickwella scored the two runs he needed to read the 1000 runs for the season. Royal College: 237 all out and 175 all out in 72.2 overs. (Ronaka Ahangama 18, Isuru Gunatileke 31, Poorna Aluthge 32, Heshan Kumarasiri 58, Janishka Premasinghe 6 for 66, Lakshan Jayasinghe 3 for 30)

Trinity College: (121 for 3 contd.) 277 for 9 decl. in 52 overs, (Ron Chandragupta 37, Lakshan Jayasinghe 10, Dinik Wickremanayake 28, Akika Jayasundera 36, Lakshitha Dasanayake 44 not out, Gaurav Deva 2 for 65, Poorna Aluthge 3 for 65, Devin Pathmanathan 2 for 55) and 5 for no loss in one over.