Kandy’s 112th Battle of the Maroons ended in a draw with major honors to Kingswood College. Everyone thought that the Kingswoodians were going to break the 60-year-old hoodoo, with their super performance, under the guidance of Indika Fernando.
The match was played under the distinguished patronage of 1958 Kingswood College captain Maurice Fernando at the Pallekelle Stadium.
Dharmaraja skipper Bhawantha Udangamuwa won the toss and invited Kingswood captain Ganindu Kamburugamuwa’s side to take the first turn of the wicket. The Kingswoodians managed to muster 166 in 51 overs with Dhananjaya Maduranga making an entertaining 42 with six fours, Ganindu Kamurugamuwa 33 and Duleen Wijenarayana 40. Yasitha Samaratne the first change paceman bowled well to take 3 wickets. Virajath Ehelepola and Upendera Warnakulasoriya took two apiece.
Rajans were struggling to put up a good performance and were 97 for 6 wickets at the end of the first day’s play, skipper Bawantha Udangamuwa did well to score 30, and Isiru Dayanda made 24.
Continuing from their overnight score Rajans were bundled out for 111 in 61 overs thanks to some good bowling from Uthpala Jayalath 3 for 22 and Lakmal de Silva 3 for 40. Kingswood in their second innings went on to score 184-5 in 40.4 overs, thanks to some superb batting from Saumya Piyasena who made 60 with four hits to the fence. Virajith Ehelepola took 2 for 53.
Kingswood set a target of 240 runs for the Rajans to win and once again the Rajans struggled and were 128 for 8 wickets at close in 45 overs when the stumps were drawn.
Ganindu Kamburugamuwa was awarded the Man of the Match, Lakmal de Silva was the best bowler and Saumya Piyasena the best batsman all from Randell hills school. Bawantha Udangamuwa from Lake View school won the best fielder' s award. For yet another year the T.B. Tennakoon memorial trophy was given to Dharmaraja.
BATTLE OF THE BLUES - RAIN A SPOILER
Rain played a spoiler on the second day of Kandy’s Battle of the Blues between Trinity and St Anthony’s. Nearly 150 minutes of play was lost before the start and only 35 overs of play was possible with the game being called off after tea at the Asgiriya Stadium. Trinity bundled out Antonians for 115 with Mohamed Absar scoring 30, Navodaya Wijekumara 32. Thasaru Dilhan took 4 for 30 and Ruvin Peries 3 for 31.
Trinity in reply were rather disappointing with the bat losing 2 for 2, and were struggling against a hostile pace attack that made life miserable for the batsmen. However skipper Hasitha Boyagoda carried Trinity’s hopes with a stubborn effort. He had good support from Jeff Weerasinghe (37) who helped him put on a partnership of 93 runs. Boyagoda was third out after scoring 72 runs.
At the end of the first day Trinity were 150 for 5 in 30 overs and had a lead of 35 runs with five wickets in hand. Nimanka Jayatilake bowled to his best ability to take 2 for 36.
The star-studded Trinitians continuing from the overnight score made 196-6 in 57 overs with Ishan Lokuketiya scoring 35. Nimanka Jayatilake bowled well to take 4 for 63. Antonians in their second essay were 65 for 2 in 20 overs when rain stopped play. Mohamed Abshar 22 and Dion Stouter 27 were both unbeaten.
This game played for the John Halangoda memorial trophy was won by Trinity for their lead on the first innings.
The best fielder’s award went to Antonian Janindu Himsara, Bowler’s award to Trinitian Thaisatru Dilshan, best batsman and man of the match award to Trinity skipper Hasitha Boyagoda. The presentation was done by Trinity’s 1960 captain Jayantissa Ratwatte.
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