Unbeaten Joes confront Royal today

Chris Dhambarage

The unbeaten St. Joseph's College team will take on Royal College in their 111th annual inter-school cricket tournament match today and tomorrow at Darley Road.

The match was earlier scheduled to be worked off at Reid Avenue but the venue was shifted at the last moment due to poor ground conditions.

The Josephians led by fourth year coloursman Ruwantha Fernandopulle have two victories to their credit this season against Susamyawardena MMV and St. Benedict's College.

In contrast Royal College captained by D. Nanayakkara have experienced mixed fortunes with a shock defeat at the hands of St. Sebastian's College Moratuwa but enjoyed success against Richmond College Galle and Ananda Sastralaya, Kotte respectively.

St. Joseph's College of course will start as the favourites with a better all round combination although they will be minus two of their top players Thisara Perera and Roshane Silva who have been selected to represent the country at the ICC Youth World Cup in Malaysia.

Royal College too will feel the absence of their wicket keeper batsman and key player Kusal Janitha Perera who will be on national duty. The Josephians also have a strong batting line up spearheaded by dashing left hander Dimuth Karunaratne who has collected over 500 runs in the current season.

Royal College have not beaten St. Joseph's College for more than a decade and their last win was recorded way back in 1993. In contrast St. Joseph's College tasted success in 2005 and they also lead the series with a total of 28 victories against their opponents 20 with 62 matches drawn.