Royal's Harith and Randev steal the limelight

By Ranjan Anandappa

Royal College stand in captain Harith Samarasinghe led his side admirably with ten freshers to bring his side to the brink of victory when they were set a victory target of 108 runs in 13 overs in their drawn cricket encounter against St. Joseph's at Reid Avenue yesterday The homesters fell short by 17 runs in their run chase.

Harith Samarasinghe who took 6 for 57 combined with Randive Pathiran who had a fascinating all-round effort struck two fine innings of 81 in the first innings and an unbeaten 42 in the second innings and a match bag of 8 for 67 was the main feature in the drawn 117th school cricket encounter between the two schools.

In reply to Royal's first innings total of 225 the Joes were 44 for 4 were bundled out for 118 and were made to follow on with a deficit of 108 runs.

K.Ravihara top scored with 28 with Randev Pathirana and Akshan Gajaba doing most of the damage sharing 9 wickets among them.

Joes fared better in their secondinnings while following on with Dylan Fernandopulle (48), Pathum Madusanka (40) Yashan Samarasinghe (47) doing the bulk of the scoring.

Brief scores.

Royal 225 (Randev Pathirana 81, Naveen Vidanapathirana 40, Thiran Danapala 29, Akshan Gajaba 25, Fabian Fernando 4 for 62, Ashendra Perera 2 for 56, Aravinda Akurugoda 3 for 34) and 91 for 3 at close in 13 overs (Randev Pathirana 42 n.o, Hasitha Samarasinghe 22, Yashan Samarasinghe 2 for 36)

St.Joseph's (44 for 4 overnight) 118 (K.Ravihara 28, Akshan Gajaba 3 for 28, Randev Pathirana 6 for 11) and 214 ( Dilan Fernandopulle 48, Pathum Madusanka 40, Yashan Samarasinghe 47, Aravinda Akurugoda 24 n.o, Harith Samarasinghe 6 for 57, Randev Pathirana 2 for 56)

Bowlers revel at Mount Lavinia

In a school cricket match dominated by the bowlers of either side the S.Thomas' versus Ananda match ended in a draw at Mount Lavinia yesterday.

The Thomians who were shot out for 204 on the first day did well to restrict Ananda for 206 in their first innings. Tharindu Ratnayake ( 6 for 61) and Aftab Cader (2 for 27) shared eight wickets as Ananda conceded a first innings lead of 2 runs. Pasindu Isara top scored for the Anandians with 55 while Thamalka Athulathmudali was the second best with 25 runs.

Brief scores

S.Thomas' 204 (Tharindu Rartnayake 37, M. Ravichandrakumar 22, Helakamal Nanayakkara 35, Isuru Gunasekera 5 for 60) and 70 for 5 in 25 0vers at close ( Helakamal Nanayakkara 19 n.o, Sanesh DE mel 11 n.o, T.Ravindu 3 for 18, Nipuna DE Costa 2 for 20) Ananda 206 ( Pasindu Isira 55, Thamalka Athulathmudali 25, nipuna DE Costa 23, Tharana Ravindu 30 n..o,

Tharindu Ratnayake 6 for 61, Aftab Cader 2 for 21)

Nalanda take major honours

Nalanda took major honours in their drawn school cricket encounter against D.S.Senanayake College at Campbell Place yesterday.

D.S.Senayake were shot out for a paltry 93 in the first innings and were 55 for 2 while chasing a difficult victory target of 186 runs in 11 overs.

Brief scores

Nalanda 162 ( Madusanka Gunadasa 30, Nimnaka ratnayake 22, Thenura Perera 33, Yamal Randika 31 n.o, D.Geethanjana 4 for 35, Sathsara Bandara 2 for 30, Isuru Kasthuriarachchi 2 for 25, ) and 117 for 9 declared ( Senura Perera 31, Ravin Dassanayake 23, Sathsara Bandara 6 for 46) D.S.Senanayake 93 ( Shehard Ameen 22, Dilan Sueaweera 3 for 19, Venura Samaraweera 2 for 25, ) and 55 for 2 at close ( Neshal Jayamanne 22)