Saturday 10th March, 2012 Trinity 302, 133rd ‘Battle of the Blues’ SCOREBOARD S. Thomas’ 1st Innings (325 for 9 decl: A. Wickramanayake 85, Javed Bongso 97; Chamika Karunaratne 3/59, Poorna St. Anthony’s Royal put on 413 for nine Aluthge 3/90) Royal 1st Innings R Ahangamage ct. U. Fernando b. D. Fernando 20 Isuru Gunathilake lbw Pathirana 67 77 for 4 Poorna Aluthge ct. Bongso b. Pathirana 12 Sampath de Silva run out D. Peiris/S. Peiris 19 Imal Liyanage st. S. Peiris b. Ravichandrakumar 80 BY RUKSHAN RAZAK as Kumarasiri shines H Kumarasiri ct. Mathangaweera b. Pathirana 127 St. Anthony’s College were strug- Milan Abeysekara bowled Sumanasiri 58 gling at 77 for 4 at stumps in reply to BY REEMUS FERNANDO Chamika Karunaratne lbw Pathirana 05 Trinity College’s first innings score of Devind Pathmanathan run out Devin/Sachin 00 302 for 8 on the first day of the 96th Second year coloursman Heshan Gaurav Deva not out 10 Battle of the Blues cricket encounter Kumarasiri hogged the limelight with a Anupa Tillakaratne not out 03 at Asgiriya International Stadium yes- chanceless century as the middle order Extras: (6b, 4lb, 2n) 12 terday. clicked for Royal to post a bold 413 for nine Total (for nine wickets decl.) 413 Trinity’s healthy first innings score wickets declared in reply to Thomians’ 325 Overs: 106 in 437 minutes. was possible largely due to a 68-run for nine declared as records continued to Fall of wickets:1-53, 2-77, 3-116, 4-151, 5-223, 6- stand for the fourth wicket between tumble on day two of the 133rd Battle of the 364, 7-384, 8-389, 9-407. Janishka Premasinghe and Alwin Blues encounter at SSC Ground yesterday. Bowling: Chamodh Pathirana 26-2-92-4, Danush Fernando. Middle order batsmen rallied around Peiris 7-0-22-0, Rishen Mathangaweera 17-2-62- The ‘lions’ lived up to expectations skipper Imal Liyanage and Kumarasiri to 0(1n), Madushan Ravichandrakumar 22-1-79-1, on the first day as deputy skipper compile the second highest Royal score in Dilum Fernando 12-2-46-1(1n), Thilaksha Premasinghe and Akila Jayasundara history,after two early dismissals placed Sumanasiri 19-2-81-1, Umesh Fernando 3-0-21-0. made identical scores of 61 each. This them at 116 for three wickets after 22 overs S. Thomas’ 2nd Innings was after a disappointing start for into the day’s play.Royal commenced from Devin Jayasinghe not out 13 Trinity as their skipper and opening their overnight score of 53 for one wicket. Asiri Wickramanayake not out 09 batsman Niroshan Dikwella was out The highest Royal score in the series is 432 Extras: (5b) 05 for seven wickets established in the year for just one run. Later in the innings Total: (for no loss) 27 2006. Alwin Fernando partnered opener Overs: 8 Premasinghe to increase the score In their second essay the Thomians were Bowling: Gaurav Deva 2-1-7-0, Anupa Tillakaratne before Rajitha Jaythunga added a 27 for no wicket at 2-0-7-0, Chamika Karunaratne 2-0-4-0, Poorna valuable 41 runs. It was off-spinner close. Saranga Rajaguru who made the early Kumarasiri’s Aluthge 2-1-4-0. breakthroughs for the Antonians. He patience and the appli- Toss: Royal was the most impressive among the cation made him the Umpires: Asoka de Silva, Raveendra Wimalasiri bowlers capturing 3 for 89, while hero of the day after Sachin Bulathsinghala took 2 wickets three other candidates four wickets at lunch, adding 50 runs in 10 conceding 69 runs, with his off spins. for the title, Isuru overs. Liyanage cracked 12 fours and one six Meanwhile part-time spinners, Gunathilaka, and was out when he was caught behind by Saranga Rajaguru and Buwaneka Liyanage and Milan Sachin Peiris, when trying to cut a delivery Wijethunga with a wicket aeach put Abeysekara fumbled from spinner Madushan the brakes on Trinity’s middle order. after reaching half Ravichandrakumar. Put into bat in the third session centuries. Overnight batsman Isuru Gunathilake after declaring their innings, the The number six scored 67 runs with nine fours and two sixes Antonains were never allowed to settle batsman put on a in 133 balls and stayed at the wicket for 188 down due to a variation of a spin and record 141 runs part- minutes and was also involved in brief part- nerships of 24, 39 and 35 for the second, pace attack unleashed by seamers, nership for the sixth wicket with Milan Heshan Kumarasiri was the hero for Royal as he top scored with 127 runs to help the lads Amrith Srimahan (1/25), Arjuna Abeysekara who scored 58 runs with seven third and fourth wickets respectively with Jayasinghe (1/4) and spinners, Akila fours. They broke the record partnership of from Reid Avenue post 413 for nine wickets declared. (Pic by Manoj Ridimaliyadda) Poorna Aluthge, Sampath de Silva and 133 runs established by D. Edussuriya (136) Liyanage. He was also partly responsible for Jayasundara (1/8), Janishka Kumarasiri played probably the most sensi- wicket with skipper Imal Liyanage, who set and H. Morawaka (49) in 2004. Sampath de Silva’s run out after calling him Premasinghe (1/18), and thus the ble innings of the day compared to his team- the pace of the Royal innings with an Kumarasiri scored 127 runs and pushed for a nonexistent single. ‘Eagles’ succumbed to the pressure mates who lost their composure after reach- aggressive run-a-ball 80. Coming to bat after Royal beyond 400 runs mark. He scored 19 The Thomian openers Devin Jayasinghe and almost threw away their wickets ing landmarks, which were greeted with the third wicket fell for 116 runs Liyanage fours and faced 173 balls during his 237 min- and Asiri Wickramanayake kept their wick- for low scores. Opener Yohan Woods crowd invasions. did not allow pressure get on them as he utes stay before falling victim to paceman ets intact to post 27 runs for no wickets at with an unbeaten 33 runs did well for Kumarasiri was also involved in another encountered the Thomian bowling with Chamodh Pathirana, who was the pick of close. They are trailing by 61 runs in the sec- the Antonians. Night watchman fruitful partnership of 72 runs for the fifth aggression to take the score to 168 runs for Romesh Macwin was yet to get off the the bowlers with four wickets yesterday. ond innings with ten wickets in hand. mark, when play was called off at 5.30 pm. Scores-Trinity College: 302 for 8 wickets declared in 63 overs (Niroshan Dikwella 1, Back-to-back wheelchair 62nd Battle of the Golds Janishka Premasinghe 61, Ron Chandraguppta 11, Heshan Wanniarachchi 15, Alwin Fernando tennis tournaments 47, Rajitha Jaythunga 41, Dinuk Aponso spins Cambrians to Wickramanayake 16, Akila Jaysundara 61, Lakshitha Dassanayake 22 n.o., Amrith from March 19 Srimahan 8 n.o., and Kanishka Ranaraja 1 for 19, Sachin Bulathsinghala 2 for 69, Saranga BY REVATA S. SILVA the ground before fight back Rajaguru 3 for 18, Buwaneka Wijethunga 1 for 11.) Three back-to-back International Tennis by Chathura Pinnawala cover. gully where Luke Jayadeva completed a St. Anthony’s College: 77 for 4 wickets in 33 Federation (ITF) Wheelchair Tennis Amal Aponso and Sanitha De Mel put smart diving catch. overs (Yohan Woods 33 n.o., Viraj Deepal 5, Tournaments will be held at the Negombo Prince of Wales College holed them up a fight before succumbing and at 76/6 That was the signal Aponso needed Nimesha Gunasinghe 1, Sachin Bulathsinghala Tennis Club in Negombo, the Sri Lanka out of the abyss dug by Amila Aponso to it could have taken all the aspirations of from his teammates to come to his ele- Tennis Association (SLTA) and the Sebs in the fading light. But their digni- ment and under sharp turn and probing 16, Manoj Sarathchandra 12, Romesh Macwin 0, position them slightly in front after the Singhalese Sports Club (SSC) in Colombo first day’s play of the 62nd Battle of the ty of being one of the best teams in the lines Cambrians buckled. But as the and Amrith Srimahan 1 for 25, Arjuna Jaysinghe beginning from March 19. Golds at De Soysa Stadium, Moratuwa school circuit this season was shielded score suggested at the end of the day 1 for 4, Akila Jayasundara 1 for 8, Janishka DETAILS yesterday. by Anuk Fernando and Nishamal they weren’t ready to be outgunned by Premasinghe 1for 18.) * Negombo Open ITF Futures Series $2000 Left-arm-spinner, Aponso, found Fernando who combined for an unbeat- Aponso though. prize money event held at Negombo Tennis appreciative turn and in a mesmerizing en 28 run seventh wicket stand thus keeping the unpredictability tagline of Club clay courts from March 19-21 spell snared six wickets to restrict SCOREBOARD * Sri Lanka Open ITF 3 Series $10,000 prize Prince of Wales to 161 on a sporting Cambrians at bay. money event at the SLTA hard courts from track at Moratuwa while bowling Earlier in the day taking first lease Prince of Wales 1st Innings Lovers’ Quarrel March 23-25 unchanged from one end. St. Sebastian’s after being invited in, Suchira Fernando Suchira Fernando b. Aponso 21 * SSC Open ITF Futures Series $2000 prize College skipper was not immune to was in belligerent mood and intermit- Kusal Mendis c. Aponso b. De Mel 0 money event at SSC clay courts from March records as well as he completed 100 tently pierced the gaps in a short-lived, Ashen Mendis LBW b. Aponso 30 27-29. wickets for the season by breaching the but serene knock. Tharindu Dilshan c. Jayadeva b. De Mel 46 evenly poised Sanitha De Mel started the niceties Negombo Open (Men’s Singles Main Draw defence of opener Suchira Fernando. Shanuka Dulajc. Coorayb. Aponso 13 – 16 players, 6 Sri Lankans): But all the pampering of the morning by removing Kusal Mendis, who was a Didulana Medis c. Fonseka b. Aponso 13 Richmond College after put into bat Key: Name, Country, World Rank went to pieces in an evening session spectator of Fernando’s initials lessons- Krishane Aponsoc. Cooray b. Fernando 5 in the 107th Lovers Quarrel posted a Robinson Mendez (Chillie) 28, Sydwell dominated by the Cambrians who for a duck and Aponso then joined the Sachitha Pushpakumara b. Aponso 0 respectable 240 thanks to a late order Methonsi (South Africa) 36, Evans Maripa bowled with venom and commitment act gleefully by uprooting the stumps of Jayanga Peiris c. Perera b. Fernando 3 the latter. revival before Mahinda closed day one (South Africa) 58, Upali Rajakaruna (Sri but their cause was helped by the mas- Hashan Fernandoc. Fonsekab. Aponso 6 Then Ashen Mendis and Tharindu at 85 for one at the Galle International Lanka) 75, Diego Perez (Chillie) 80, saging Sebs gave by the form two suici- Thilan Nimesh not out 3 dal run outs. Dilshan repaired the damage by con- Stadium yesterday. Dissanayake M. Gamini (Sri Lanka) 90, Extras : 21 Anushka Perera was the first culprit structing a 78 run stand for the third At 145 for seven it was curtains for Abusamah Borhan (Malaysia) 116, Francisco Total: All out 161 while Sangeeth Cooray followed soon wicket, but Dilshan imitated Mendis in Richmond, but Kasun Chamara (56) Cayulef (Chillie) 120, Kee King Kong Overs: 53.2 overs and Damitha Lakruwan (49) forged a (Malaysia) 149, D. Mariappon (India) 223, after showing compact laden defence-a quick succession taking the route to the Fall Of Wickets : 1-21, 2-27, 3-105, 4-108, 5- spirited comeback by adding 90 runs Sunil Perera (Sri Lanka) 267, Ariffahmi must to survive on a testing surface. pavilion and it triggered an unstoppable 129, 6-145, 7-145, 8-149, 9-149, 10-161 for the eight wicket to take the total to Zaquan Ariffin (Malaysia) 272, S. Cooray struck two glorious boundaries collapse. Dilshan was in fine touch and Bowling : De Mel 14-1-36-2 A. Fernando 12-2- a level of respectability. Opening Pushpakumara (Sri Lanka) 276, S. and encountered a brain freeze as he set it required a fine bouncer that reared in bowler Sohan Kariyawasam took Balachandar (India) 298, J. Wijesiri (Sri off for a non-existent single after afford- on the batsman’s head which did not 44-2 Aponso 23.2-5-54-6 Gunawardena 4-0-21-0 three wickets while captain Chalana Lanka) 318, Mahanama Basnayaka (Sri ing linear fielding practice to the extra have any alternative than to fend off to St. Sebastian’s 1st Innings de Silva chipped in with three wickets. Lanka) 326 Avishka Fernando c. K. Mendis In reply, Mahinda was meandering (Men’s Singles 2nd Draw – 16 players, b. H. Fernando 14 along as if unaware about the dura- 13 Sri Lankans): 106th ‘Battle of the North’ Anushka Perera ( Aponso)Run Out 0 tion of the match and they finished at From Sri Lanka: Luke Jayadeva c. Aponsob. H. Fernando 9 85 for one in less than three runs an M.L. Senaratne 326, N.R.L. Jayasundara Sangeeth Cooray Run out 10 over. They faced 36 painstaking overs. 391, K.D.M. Dharmaratne – 404, D.M. St. John’s hold the edge Amila Aponso c. Peiris b. Pushpakumara 15 Kalhara Gunaratne (22 not out) was at Jayashantha 445, W.K.G. Nadeeka 470, W. Sanitha De Mel c. Pushpakumara b. Nimesh 20 the crease with Asitha Balasooriya 470, H.A.P. Samankumara 500, Central College were struggling at 76 century ensured that St, John’s take the Anuk Fernando not out 9 Sandaruwan.(43 not out). K.A. Dharmakirthi 516, T.B. Nandasena 538, for three wickets at stumps in their sec- lead. Nishamal Fernando not out 18 Today’s the final day. N. Wanninayake 538 (three more slots to be ond essay still trailing by 17 runs in the R. Vathushanan and T. Kokulan were Extras: 1 Brief scores: filled by Sri Lankan entrants) second innings as St. John’s College the pick of the bowlers for Central as Total: (for 6 wickets) 104 Richmond College 1st innings- 240 all out in From India: took control on the second day of the they shared seven wickets between Overs: 39 overs 60.2 overs (Kasun Chamara 56, Damitha Harish Bist 337, Raajesh Ranal 586, and 106th ‘Battle of the North’ Big match at them. Fall Of Wickets: 1-1, 2-13, 3-28, 4-44, 5-74, 6- Lakmihiran 49, Hasitha Madushan 37, A.K Shanmugam Sureshkumar 586 Central College Ground in Jaffna yes- Scores: 76 Tyron 28, Pabasara Waduge 20; Sohan Negombo Open (Women’s Singles Main terday. Central 144 and 76 for 3 at close (P. Niroj 41) Bowling: H. Fernando 9-1-34-2 Pushpakumara Kariyawasam 4/69, Chalana De Silva 3/69) Draw – 4 players, 2 Sri Lankans): In reply to Central’s 144 runs, St. St. John’s 70 for 2 overnight 237 all out overs 17-7-37-1 Dulaj 1-0-2-0 Nimesh 11-2-28-1 Peiris Mahinda College 1st innings- 85/1 in 36 overs Olena Shyngaryova (Ukraine) 73, Faizatul John’s posted 237 runs as A. Sansajan (S. Rageenthan 27, Paramanathan 1-1-0-0 (Kalhara Gunaratne 22 n.o., Asitha Sandaruwan Abdullah Thani (Malaysia) 116, Anoosha anchored the late middle order with a Thuvarakaseelan 30, A. Sansajan 68, Abraham Toss: St. Sebastian 43 n.o.) Amarathunga (Sri Lanka) 134, and valuable 68 runs. They were 90 for six Anojan 23; R. Vathushanan 4/63, T. Kokulan 3/89, Umpires: Nishantha Rodrigo, Saman Mohan De CP) Umesha Alahakoon (Sri Lanka) 191. wickets at one stage but Sansajan’s half S Sowmitharan 2/19) Silva

Saturday 10th March, 2012