Major honours for Dharmapala

Dilwin Mendis, Moratuwa Sports Corr.

The Battle of the Golden Lions, the second annual Big Match for the series between Dharmapala Vidyalaya, Pannipitiya and Rahula College, Moratuwa ended in a tame draw for the second successive year at Tyronne Fernando Stadium, De. Soysa Park, Moratuwa.

Resuming at 56 for 5 in reply to Palians total of 233, Rahula were all out for 140 runs with the overnight unbeaten batsman Shehan Kahandugoda scored a patient knock of 80 runs facing 168 balls and occupying the crease for 216 minutes which consisted thirteen hits to the ropes. Eventually this is the highest score for the series in this second match. Kushan Jayalath bowled best for Palians with 4 for 47 while Tharindu Maduwantha and Sahan Chamikara claimed 3 for 2 and 2 for 16 respectively.

In their second innings Palians did not come up to expectations and declared at 109 for 8 only. Harsha Gallage 23 with three fours and Tharindu Maduwantha unbeaten on 20 with two fours gave some resistance.

Mayura Gallappaththi who took 8 for 93 in the first innings claimed 2 for 43 to bring a match bag of 10 for 136 being the first player from either side to take a ten wicket haul and became the highest wicket taker in the series for an innings with 8 for 93.

Eventually he completed 50 wickets for the season too. Harinda Pramuditha claimed 4 for 16 runs.

Rahula College were 56 for 5 at the close with Shehan Kahandugoda was unbeaten on 14 and Piyashan Kulatunga 25 with two fours and two sixes.

Dharmapala: 233 and 109/8 (Harsha Gallage 23, Tarindu Maduwantha 20 n./o., Mayura Gallapaththi 2/43, Harindu Pramuditha 4/16, Harsha Rajapakse 1/14).

Rahula: (56/5 overnight) all out 140 (Shehan Kahandugoda 80 n./o., Sahan Chamikara 2/16, Kushan Jayalath 4/47, Tarindu Maduwantha 3/2, Himasha Liyanage 1/28) and 56/5 (Shehan Kahandugoda 14 n./o., Piyashan Kulatunga 25, Kushan Jayalath 3/13, Himasha Liyanage 2/30).