Second 'Battle of the Golden Lions' on 22 and 23:

Rahula-Dharmapla battle at Moratuwa

PRIYAN DE SILVA - Matara Sports Correspondent

The first big match this year will be the second Battle of the Golden Lions encounter between Rahula College, Matara and Dharmapala College, Pannipitiya which

will be played at the De Soyza stadium, Moratuwa on February 22 and 23. Dharmapala College host this year's encounter which is the the second game in the series. Rahula hosted the first encounter at the Uyanwatta stadium Matara last April which ended in a draw.

Although Dharmapala play in division one and Rahula in division two of the all island schools cricket tournament it would be difficult to predict a result as both teams are almost equally balanced with Rahula having a wafer thin edge and much will depend on how the players react to the pressure of the big game.

The inaugural 50 over game will be played on the 9th of March at the Uyanwatta stadium and will be hosted by Rahula College. As at date Dharmapala have had eleven outings and registered first innings wins against Mahanama, Sri Sumangala, Panadura and Isipathana while loosing the first innings to Maliyadewa, St Thomas' Mt Lavinia,

Nalanda, Gurukula , Isipathana and Zahira. The match against Ananda was a draw. Dharmapala lost to Prince of Wales and Mahinda.

The Dharmapala college team is led by Sahan Chamikara a left hand batsman and left arm fast bowler. He was a member of the Western Province under 15 team.

Right hand batsman Ashan Jayasanka is his deputy. Ashan scored 950 runs last season but has scored only 350 runs this season inclusive of a century against Sri Sumangala College.

Vimukthi Raddalla is a right hand batsman and bowls right arm leg spin. He has 225 runs and 15 wickets to his credit. Right arm off spinner Kushan Jayalath has 35 scalps to his credit. He is a right hand batsman. Prashan Rathnayake is a right hand batsman who was unlucky to miss a double century when he was dismissed for 198 runs in the match against Mahanama College. He has scored more than 600 runs this season. Right arm off spinner Himasha Liyanage is a left hand batsman. He has scored more than 400 runs inclusive of a century against Maristella College and 40 wickets to his credit.

Asanka Sameera is a right hand batsman and right arm fast bowler. Tharaka Hondamunige is a left hand batsman. Supun Chathura is right hand batsman and the wicket keeper of the side. He has figured in 10 dismissals this season.

M. Pasindu Keshan bowls left arm leg spin and is a right hand batsman. Harsha Gallage is an all rounder who has scored more than 400 runs and captured 40 wickets. He is a left hand batsman. G. Tharindu Danushka is a left hand batsman and a right arm off spinner. Chameen Himalka is a right hand batsman and bowls right arm fast.

Tharindu Maduwantha is a fresher who is a right hand batsman and bowls right arm off spin.

Susila Gunawardane is the senior cricket coach at Dharmapala College while Sujith Liyanage is the master in charge of cricket and has the fullest corporation from Principal of Dharmapala College Colonel K G Wimalasena.

Rahula playing in division two of the school tournament has registered convincing wins against St Xaviers Marawila, Devapathiraja, St Thomas' Kotte and St Mary's Mathugama. They won the first innings against Karandeniya Central, Weluwana, St Annes Wattala, Asoka Vidyalaya and Dharmaloka College Kelaniya. They lost the first innings to Dharmasoka and Maliyadewa.

Y V Nadun Tharanga will lead Rahula College for the big match against Dharmapala Vidyalaya. A right hand batsman of repute Nadun opens the bowling for Rahula. Nadun has been a member of the first XI since 2008. He has been a member of the Matara district under 15, 17 and 19 teams. Shehan Kahandugoda is thee vice captain for this game. He led the team for the SLSCA tournament matches. Shehan is a right hand batsman and bowls right arm fast. Shehan has captained the under 13, 15 and 17 teams and been a member of the Matara district under 15 and under 17 teams.

Harsha Rajapaksha is an all rounder who is a left hand batsman and bowls Left arm fast. He is the most valuable player in the Rahula contingent. He has represented the Matara district team, Provincial team and the Sri Lanka Schools team in the under 15 and under 17 age groups. He is a member of the Southern province under19 team this year.

Harsha achieved the unique feats of capturing all ten wickets for eight runs in the first innings of the game against Devapathiraja College Rathgama and taking two hat tricks in an innings in the match against St Thomas' College Kotte this season.

Piushan Kulathunga is another all rounder of repute. He has led the Rahula College under 13, 15 and 17 teams, represented the district, provincial and Sri Lanka Schools under 15 team, and been a member of the under 17 and under 19 southern province team. Piushan is a right hand batsman and a bowls right arm fast.

Lasindu Nimsara is an all rounder who is a strength to the Rahula team. He has been a member of the Matara district and the Southern Province under 15 and under 17 teams. Lasindu was adjudged the best bowler at the inaugural Ruhunu Maya encounter. He has a century and a season best of 6/56 against Veluwana College.

Tharindu Narasinghe keeps wickets for the team again this season. He is an explosive left hand batsman who was a member of the first XI for the past four seasons. Tharindu has represented the Matara district under 15 and under 17teams and was a member of the under 17 southern province team.

Kalana Hasanga is yet another all rounder who has represented the Matara District under 15 and under 17 teams. Kalana is a left hand batsman and bowls Right Arm Off spin.

Mayura Galappaththi is a member of the team for the third year. He is a left hand batsman and is called upon to break up partnerships with his right arm off spinners. Harindu Jayasingha is a right hand batsman and bowls left arm leg spin. Sahan Hendawitharana is a Right hand batsman and bowls right arm fast.

Nimesh Hettiarachchi is a left hand batsman and keeps wickets. Hashan de Silva is a fresher who bowls right arm fast. Thilina Manage is an all rounder who represented the under 15 provincial team. Chamika Nuwan is a fresher. He bowls right arm fast and is a good fielder. Thamindu Palliyaguru is a fresher. He bowls right arm fast .