Ananda in strong position

Dilwin Mendis Moratuwa Sports Corr.

Ananda College, Colombo are in a commanding position at the end of day one in their inter-school under 19 cricket tournament match against St. Sebastian’s College played at Moratuwa.

Ananda College who equalled the record of 11 outright victories for a season held by Moratu Vidyalaya in 1994/95 season under Suranga Fernando are determine to go for the record but they will have a tough task as Sebs are also having a formidable side.

Sebs were 117 for 4 in reply to visitors total of 270 runs. Skipper Prageeth Dilshan 45 and Deshan Dias 44 were the chief run-getters for the homesters.

For Ananda Dinesh Chandimal 85 and Udesh Nadiranga 62 put on 134 runs for the second wicket and Anuk de Alwis bowled best for Sebs with 5 for 108.

Ananda: 276 (Dinesh Chandimal 85, Udesh Nadiranga 62, Madumal Jayaratne 38, Ruvinda Sherman 25, Anuk de Alwis 5/108, Sanitha de Mel 2/59, Anoj Gayashan 2/51).

St. Sebastian’s: 117/4 (Prageeth Dilshan 45, Deshan Dias 44, Sachira Perera 3/32).

Charutha (5/31) wrecks Cambrians

Royal College took the honours on the first day of their inter-school cricket match against Prince of Wales College which began at Reid Avenue yesterday.

Royal batting first scored a maiden 218 helped by three fine knocks by acting skipper Kusal Perera (51), Charutha Rajaratna (45) and Lakshitha de Silva (41). Malshan Mendis was the pick of the Cambrian bowlers with three wickets for 75.

The Cambrians in turn were well placed at one stage at 90 for 3 but collapsed to 135 for 9 wickets with spinner Charulha Rajaratna (5 for 31) ripping through their balling line up. He was well supported by paceman Lakshan Landewola (2 for 9). Dilan Chandima (39) and Thisara de Mel (30) balled well for Prince of Wales.

Royal 218 (Kusal Perera 51, Charulha Rajaratna 45, Lakshitha de Silva 41, Malshan Mendis 3 for 73, Tharindu Dilshan 2 for 31, Buddhika Alwis 2 for 28).

Prince of Wales 135 for 9 (Dilan Chandima 39, Thisara de Mel 30, Charutha Rajaratna 5 for 31, Lakshan Lendewala 2 for 9.

Antonians hit back

S. M. JIFFREY ABDEEN Kandy sports correspondent

St. Anthony’s College, Katugastota fought back gallantly to even the scales in their Murali-Vaas Challenge Trophy cricket clash against St. Joseph’s College, Colombo which began at Katugastota yesterday.

Fortunes fluctuated in this as both teams collapsed from a position of strength to the extent of conceding first inning lead.

First the Antonians taking first strike were off to a reasonably good start with openers Hiran Wickremasekera 60 (7 fours, 127 balls) and Dulash Kumarasinghe putting on 63 in 68 minutes. The score progressed to 152 for 4 but they collapsed dramatically for 166. They lost their last six wickets for 14 runs. In fact the last five wickets realised only 6 runs.

Leg spinner Shameera Weerasinghe in a deadly spell captured 7 for 51. He has now captured 77 wickets and scored 775 runs.

The Josephians in their turn at the wickets were sitting pretty with the scoreboard reading 51 for 1 at one stage but they lost their next five wickets for 55 to struggle at 107 for 6 at stumps. Sahan Pallihakkara took 2 for 24 and Kasun Ekanayake 3 for 35.

St. Anthony’s College 166 all out in 50.2 overs (Hiran Wickremesekera 60, Dulesh Kumarasinghe 18, Yohan Woods 12, Kasun Ekanayake 16, Shameera Weerasinghe 7 for 51).

St. Joseph’s College 107 for 6 in 42 overs (V. Jayasinghe 12, R. Withanachchi 28, H. Silva 17, S. Weerasinghe 22 n.o., Sahan Pallihakkara 2 for 24, Kasun Ekanayake 3 for 35).