Thomians win Mustangs Trophy again

by Ranjan Anandappa

S.Thomas’ College took the MustangsTrophy for the second year in succession when they beat traditionalrivals Royal College by 16 runs in their annual limited overscrticket encounter played at the SSC grounds yesterday.

The Thomians who were put into bat were aided by two good partnerships when Nipuna Gamage (55) and Chenuka Wickremasinghe (60) added precisely 100 runs for the thirdwicket , followed by another 53 runs off 68 deliveries for thefourth wicket between Wickremasinghe and Danush Pieiris who was thetop scorer with 64 n.o. Sachita Jayatileka struck a rapid 51 facing twenty three deliveries as the Thomians ended their innings at 277for 6 in their 50 overs.

Royal in their turn were also helped bytwo useful stands first by Randev Pathirana ( 49) and ThiranDhanapala ( 64) who added 70 runs off 75 deliveries for the sixthwicket. Dhanapala hit four boundaries and two over it facing 61deliveries while Pathirana’s 49 contained three fours and twosixes after facing 59 deliveries. Dhanapala was also involved inanother 73 runs stand for the seventh with skipper HarithSamarasinghe (42) in a 49 ball stay at the wicket.

The Royal sixth and seventh wicketpairs made a desperate attempt to guide them towards victory butfell short bym 16 runs at the end. Tharindu Ratnayake ( 3 for 46) wasthe pick of the bowlers for the Mount lavinia school.

Brief scores.

S.Thomas’ College 277 for 6 in 50overs ( Yohan Mendis 14, Nipuna Gamage 55, Chenutha Wickremasinghe 60, Danush Pieris 64 n.o, Sachitha Jayatileka 51, HarithSamarasinghe 2 for 59)

Royal College 261 for 8 in 50 overs( Ronuka Jayawardene 27, Naveen Vidanapathirana 25, Randev Pathirana 49, Chamika Karunaratne 17, Thiran Dhanapala 64, HarithSamarasinghe 42, Himesh Ramanayake 15 n.o, Helakamal Nanayakkara 2for 51, Nimesh Fernando 2 for 26, Tharindu Ratnayake 3 for 46)