Kegalle Marians fail by nine runs in victory bid

by S.M. Jiffrey Abdeen - Kandy Sports Corr.

St. Mary's College, Kegalle just failed by nine runs to post a win in their 34th "Battle of the Golds" against Kegalu Vidyalaya which ended in a draw at the public grounds, Kegalle yesterday.

St. Mary's College were set a victory target of 86 in 16 overs and they were up against some tight bowling backed up by good fielding and they could only go up to 76 for 6 when play ended. This was followed by a clash between the spectators in the grounds which delayed the awards ceremony.

St. Mary's College continuing from their overnight score of 173 for 7 did not make much progress yesterday morning and were all out for 202. Mahesh Mumara made 28.

Off-spinner Tharaka Somatilleke took 4 for 51 while Medium pacer Chinthana Bandara picked all three wickets which fill yesterday to end up with figure of 4 for 32.

Facing a deficit of 104 Kegalu Vidyalaya put up a brave fight and batted much better than on first innings to total 187 all out in 65.2 overs. Shan Chathuranga who has scored over 1,000 runs this season batted with caution and the Marians tried their best to dislodge him but be stood there like a rock. He top scored with a patient 73 with 10 fours and faced 100 balls to thwart the Marians.

Left-arm spinner Dhanushka Sandaruwan took 7 for 62 to end up with excellent match figure of 13 for 86 which is one of the best in the series.

This left the Marians the task of scoring 85 in 16 overs. They made a gallant bid under severe pressure but could score only 76 for 6 - 9 runs away from victory and were also in danger of losing the match as Kegalu Vidyalaya though taking time did not allow the Marians to walk away with a victory. When stumps were drawn it was anybody's game.

Marians left-arm spinner Chamika Karunaratne captured only two wickets in the match and had to finish the season with 98 wickets.

Kegalu Vidyalaya: 98 all out and 187 all out in 65.2 overs (Bimshandra Ranaweera 19, Viksantha Ranaweera 19, Shan Chathuranga 73, Krishan Narammala 29, Dhanushka Sandaruwan 7 for 62, Eraj Jayamanne 2 for 42, Chamika Karunaratne 1 for 36).

St. Mary's College: 173 for 7 overnight 202 all out in 60.5 overs (Mahesh Kumara 28, Tharaka Somatilleke 4 for 51, Chinthana Bandara 4 for 32) and 76 for 6 in 16 overs (Eraj Jayamanne 25, Chamika Karunaratne 17, Chinthana Bandara 2 for 28, Samadhi Dassanayake 2 for 40).