Maneesha takes 8 for 48

S.M. Jiffrey Abdeen, Kandy Sports Correspondent

A tantalising spell of left arm spin bowling by Royal College's Acting skipper Maneesha Thanthrigoda who took 8 for 48 was the highlight of the first day's play of their inter-school cricket match against Dharmaraja College which began at Lake View grounds, Kandy yesterday.

But the initiative gained by Royal College through this fine bowling effort was lost late in the afternoon when the Rajans hit back through some good bowling backed up by good close in fielding to have the Royalists from a healthy 101 for 1 struggling at 137 for 6 at close.

The Rajans electing to bat first were off to a good start with the openers putting on 45. Skipper Ramesh Yapa Bandara hit an aggressive 45 with 8 fours off 75 balls. But the top and middle order batting flopped and Rajans were all out for 147.

Royal College in their turn after losing an early wicket were cruising on well with that consistent batsmen Ramith Rambukwella and Shavendra Edirisuriya putting on 92 for the second wicket. But with their dismissal, wickets started falling at regular intervals.

Ramith Rambukwella batted brilliantly for his 65 which had 2 well hit sixes and 7 fours off only 92 deliveries.

Dharmaraja College: 147 all out in 43.3 overs (Ramesh Yapa Bandara 45, Sandun Weerakkody 24, S.K. Nakkavita 12, Lahiru Herath 19, Maneesha Thanthrigoda 8 for 48).

Royal College: 137 for 6 off 40 overs at close (Chalaka Bogoda 10, Ramith Rambukwella 65, Shavendra Edirisuriya 19, Madushan Rajaratne 19, Rahula Ekanayake 4 for 57).