Joseph Vaz hold Rajans

S.M. Jiffrey ABDEEN- Kandy Sports Corr

Joseph Vaz College Wennappuwa recovered in the second innings to hold Dharmaraja, Kandy to a draw in their schools under 19 cricket tournament match concluded at the Sir Albert Peiris Stadium in Nattandiya.

Rajans continuing from their overnight score of 211 for 8 declared at 236 for 9. Skipper Hemal Munaweera scored his highest score in school cricket making 126 not out which included 12 fours and 2 sixers off 145 deliveries. His ninth wicket stand with tail-ender Dineth Lanka realized 118 runs. Medium pacer Chamara Fernando took 5 for 71. Joseph Vaz College in their turn at the wickets fared disastrously and were dismissed for a paltry 66 though they batted for 41.3 overs.

Off spinner Arvinda Withanarachchi turning the ball viciously took 5 for 9 and the other spinner Dineth Lanka took 2 for 26 supported by S.A. Nakkawita 3 for 15.

Trailing by 170 runs the Joseph Vaz put up an improved performance in the second innings to score 156 for 4 at stumps. Wiswajith Deemantha 72 not out (10 fours) and Kasun Vidura 73 (12 fours) put 110 for the fourth wicket to rescue the side.

Dharmaraja 211 for 8 overnight 236 for 9 declared off 80 overs (Hemal Munaweera 126 not out, Deneth Lanka 20, Chanura Fernando 5 for 72).

Joseph Vaz College 66 all out in 41.2 overs (Kasun Vidula 13 Arvinda Withanarachchi 5 for 9, S.A. Nakkawita 3 for 15, Dineth Lanka 2 for 26) and 156 for 4 off 64 overs (Kasun Vidura 73, Wiswajith Deemantha 72, Deneth Lanka 2 for 42, Arvinda Withanarachchi 2 for 53)