SLC Under-15 Cricket Tournament:

Western Province South clinch Prima Cup

by Sajeewa Jayakody

Lakshina Rodrigo scored a sparkling half century to help Western Province South to clinch the Prima Cup Under-15 title by beating Western Province North by three wickets at the R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo yesterday.

The St. Peter's College batsman hammered 69 runs in just 44 deliveries including five sixes and seven fours in his match winning innings.

The elegant right hander hit three sixes in a row in the 42nd over to change the complexion of the game in favour of Western Province South as Western Province North was in command after 41 overs. Rodrigo showed that he was a classy player as he earned the Player of the Match for his match winning half century.

Chasing the target of 266, Western Province South opener Avishka Fernando put up a good opening stand before he was out for 89 runs, which was studded with 11 fours and a six. The St Sebastian's College stylish right hander was adjudged the Best Batsman in the final match for his fine knock in the top of the order.

Dileepa Jayalath of the Western Province North picked up three wickets for 43 runs and bagged the Best Bowler of the Match award. All-rounder Rahal Avishka captured two wickets for Western Province North.

Western Province North batting first, compiled a fighting score of 266 for the loss of nine wickets in their 50 overs.

Southern Province's Vanidu Hasaranga was given the Best Batsman Award as he scored 265 runs in five matches during the tournament. Thilina Nimesh of the Western Province North grabbed the Award for the Best Bowler of the Tournament as he picked up 10 wickets in his four matches in the tournament.

The victorious Western Province South team was coached by Ruwin Peiris.

Sri Lanka Cricket conduced the tournament for the sixth time with Sri Lanka Schools' Cricket Association with the help of Prima Company as the main sponsor.

Bries scores:

Western Province North: 266/9 (Malinga Amarasinghe 74, Navod Kalansuriya 34, Poorna Charaka 33, Nisal Fernando 31, Rahal Avishka 21, Thulina Dilshan 20).

Western Province South: 269/7 in 46 overs (Avishka Fernando 89, Lakshan Rodrigo 69, Mohamed Akram 28, Ravindu Sanjeewa 26, Dileepa Jayalath 3/43, Rahal Avishka 2/64).

Best Batsman of the Match: Avishka Fernando (Western Province South).

Best Bowler of the Match: Dileepa Jayalath (Western Province North).

Best Player of the Match: Lakshina Rodrigo (Western Province South).

Best Player of the Tournament: Ashen Dimuth (Southern Province).

Best Batsman of the Tournament: Vanidu Hasaranga (Southern Province).

Best Bowler of the Tournament: Thilina Nimesh (Western Province North)