Trinity on top

S M Jiffrey ABDEEN, Kandy Sports Correspondent

A chanceless knock of 156 not out by skipper Niroshan Dickwella put Trinity College on top at the end of the first day's play in their schools under 19 cricket tournament match against Mahinda College, Galle which began at the Asgiriya Stadium, Kandy yesterday.

Having dismissed the Mahindians for a modest 130, the lions have run up 234 for 2 in just 39 overs scoring at the rate of 6 runs per over.

The Mahindians batting first were dismissed for 130 after batting for 53 overs. Indika Gallege top scored with 31. But the rest of the batsmen found it difficult to cope with the off spin of Janishka Premasinghe who had the impressive figures of 5 for 25 which brought his season's haul to 60 wickets.

Trinity College replied on a very brisk note with skipper Niroshan Dickwella leading the way. He put on 63 for the first wicket with Janishka Premasinghe who made 15.

Joined by last week's century-maker Dinuk Wickramanayaka (43), he put on 131 for the second wicket.

At close, Niroshan Dickwella is unbeaten on 156 which included 21 fours and 1 six off 116 balls. He reached his hundred in 80 balls. He could well go for the ground record at this venue which is 200.

Mahinda College: 130 all out in 53.3 overs (Indika Gallage 33, Ashan Kumuditha 21, Nivantha Theekshana 13, S Kumara 18, Janishka Premasinghe 5 for 25, Amrith Sri Mohan 2 for 30, Lakshan Jayasinghe 2 for 3).

Trinity College: 234 for 2 in 39 overs (Niroshan Dickwella 156 n.o, Janishka Premasinghe 15, Dinuk Wickramanayaka 17 n.o, Chalana de Silva 2 for 60).