Peterites out to retain under 17 Div. one title

Take on Mahinda in the final today and tomorrow:

Chris Dhambarage

The formidable St. Peter's College team will be hoping to retain the SLSCA under 17 division one title for the second successive year when they take on Mahinda College team in the final encounter today and tomorrow at the Moors SC grounds in Braybrooke Place.

The Peterites who defeated St. Anthony's College Kandy in last years tournament final are determined to produce a repeat performance under the captaincy of Sri Lanka youth cap Angelo Perera.

Even then Mahinda College have maintained an unbeaten record throughout the tournament and have made it to the under 17 division one final after a lapse of 34 years. They are fresh after a morale boosting victory over St. Joseph's College in the semifinals having earlier defeated D. S. Senanayake College in the quarterfinals.

The Peterites of course suffered a shock first innings defeat at the hands of Sri Sumangala MV Panadura in a first round match but have bounced back magnificently to enter the final once again. They defeated St. Sebastian's College Moratuwa in the quarterfinals and overcame St. Aloysius College Galle in the semifinal fixture.

St. Peter's College will have the services of five players who have represented the first eleven team and their experience will certainly be an added advantage for them. Skipper Angelo Perera of course missed out four games as he was on national duty with the Sri Lanka under 19 side.

The elegant right hander has compiled a total of nearly 400 runs from six outings including four half centuries. Wicket keeper batsman Andrea Berenger has also been in tremendous form this season and has a century and two fifties to his credit.

The return of dynamic all rounder Shiwanga Ranasuriya after an injury should further boost the Peterite chances of winning the title. Their main strike bowler has been the left arm seamer Chatura Peiris who has captured a total of 26 wickets.

In addition Akshu Fernando has also lived upto expectations as a good all rounder where he has scored over 300 runs including three half centuries and has picked up 18 wickets with his off spinners. Mahinda College too boast of five players who have represented their first eleven team with captain Romesh Buddhika as the most experienced player in the line up.

The teams:

St. Peter's College (from): Angelo Perera (captain), Chatura Peiris (vice captain), Shiwanga Ranasuriya, Akshu Fernando, Andrea Berenger, Gazzali Ifthikar, Shashmika Fernando, Hashan Wickremasuriya, Jaan Fernando, Angelo Emmanuel, Lahiru Dias, Andrew Paulesz, Viran Perera and Reshan Panditharatne.

Mahinda College (from): Romesh Buddhika (captain), Denuwan Rajakaruna, Nisala Dulwin, Nisala Gamage, Sajith Silva, Kaushalya Gajasinghe, Geeth Nanayakkara, Tharaka Rikawela, P. Chamara, Mayura Dihan, Ruchira Malalasekera, Isuru Dilhan, Sasika Jinaratne