Sylvestrians take Nillegoda Trophy

S. M. Jiffrey ABDEEN - Kandy Sports Correspondent

St. Sylvester's College won the "Battle of the Babes" inaugural Twenty20 match for the Nillegoda Memorial Trophy when they beat Vidyartha College by three wickets at the Pallekelle International Cricket Stadium yesterday.

Vidyartha College taking first strike were off to a good start though losing their first wicket at 6. A good stand of 49 for the second wicket between Ruwan Bandara (41) and Skipper Niluksha Galapitage (15) saw them comfortably placed at 55 for one at one stage.

Ruwan Bandara was particularly harsh on off spinner Faiz Ahamed by hoisting him for four sixes in his 25 ball knock which had four sixes and 2 fours.

When this pair departed Vidyartha's batting collapsed and the scoreboard stumped from 77 for 3 at one stage to 88 for 9. Losing 6 wickets for 11 runs and this signalled the end and they were all out for 96 in 15.5 overs.

Ruwantha Ekanayake who triggered off the attack took 3 for 13 while Indunil Samarananda took 3 for 9.

When the Sylvestrians batted are expected them to reach their target early but midway they showed down a little when wickets started falling before Ruwantha Ekanayake saw them post a win with a fine knock of 23 not out.

Vidyartha College: 95 all out in 15.5 overs

Niluksha Galapitage 15, Ruwan Bandara 41, Tilina Rupasena 10, Indunil Samarananda 3 for 9, Faiz Ahamed 2 for 44, Ruwantha Ekanayake 3 for 13).

St. Sylvester's College: 96 for 7 in 17.3 overs (Dhanuja Hettiarachchi 12, Waruna Wijesinghe 21, Ruwantha Ekanayake 23 not out, Tilina Rupasena 2 for 29, Keshan Gamage 1 for 12, Tharindu Ranaweera 1 for 16).