Tame draw at Panadura

Dilwin Mendis, Moratuwa Sports Corr.

The 56th annual encounter between Moratu Vidyalaya and Sri Sumangala College, Panadura ended in a tame draw at Panadura Esplanade.

Resuming at 130 for 6 on day two Vidyalians were all out for 164 runs with overnight batsmen Danidu Devinda 24 and Sujeewa Liyanage unbeaten on 22 runs.Buddhika Perera was the most successful bowler for homesters with 6 for 51 while Chatura Silva bagged 3/53.

In their second essay Sumangalians declared at 199 for 8 leaving an uphill task to score 237 runs for the victory in 19 overs and at the close Vidyalians were 116 for 3 with Malinga Bandara 43 and Aloka Priyadarshana 35 associating a first wicket partnership of 84 runs. Chatura Hemakumara was unbeaten on 20.

Sumangalian Buddhika Perera who ripped through the strong batting line up of Vidyalians in the first essay stroked a fluent 60 runs in their second innings.

Vidyalians who came to this game with 13 outright victories under their belt were overconfident and struggle to gain the mean advantage over the opponents when they allowed Sumangalians to pile up 200 runs and lost the grip and they were all out for 160 runs thus giving them a valuable 36 run lead.

Sri Sumangala: 200 and 199 for 8 dec - Buddhika Perera 60, Chatura Silva 39, Aruna Dharmasena 21, Sujeewa Liyanage 2/14, Asanka Silva 2/30.

Moratu Vidyalaya: 131/6 overnight 164 all out, Sujeewea Liyanage 22 n.o., Danidu Devinda 24, Buddhika Perera 6/51, Chatura Silva 3/53 and 116/3, Malinga Bandara 43, Aloka Priyadarshana 35, Chatura Hemakumara 20 n.o.