ROYAL BEAT THOMIANS BY SEVEN WICKETS [March 09 2013]

Even the weather gods could not save S. Thomas’ from a crushing defeat by ribbing almost two sessions of play due to rain as Royal won the 134th Battle of the Blues by seven wickets on day three at SSC grounds, Colombo today.

Royal declared at their overnight total of 260 for 5, made in reply to S. Thomas’ first innings total of 192 all out. Trailing by 68 runs on the first innings, the Thomian batsmen were all at sea and were bowled out for 132 runs in the second essay off 58.5 overs. Only Sanesh de Mel (49 n.o) showed some resistance to Royal bowling. Once again, it was paceman Chamika Karunaratne, youngest brother of Sri Lanka Olympic shuttler Niluka Karunaratne, who did most of the damage. He followed his Thomian first innings haul of 5 for 55 with another penetrative 4 for 32 off 17 overs to complete a match-winning analysis of 9 for 87.

Chief scores: S.Thomas’ First innings 192 all out (Devin Jayasinghe 74, Chamika Kurunaratne 5 for 55). Royal – First innings 260 for 5 decl.  (Sampath de Silva 61, Milan Abeysekera 50 n.o, Ishan Kularatne 2 for 44).

S.Thomas’ – Second innings 132 all  out  (Sanesh de Mel 49 n.o, Deelaka Herath 25, Chamika Karunaratne 4 for 32, Hashen Ramanayake 2 for 36) Royal - Second innings 67 for 3 (Milan Abeysekera 22 n.o, Helakamal Nanayakkara 3 for 30).