Chris Dhambarage
COLOMBO : Skipper Sineth Jayawardena struck a fighting half century to help Royal College reach 234 for seven on the second day of the 145th Battle of the Blues Inter-School Big Match against the traditional rivals S. Thomas’ College at the SSC Grounds in Maitland Place today.
The Sri Lanka Under-19 Captain held on determinedly to score a magnificent 92 from 172 balls inclusive of 13 boundaries as Royal finished the day still trailing by 63 runs.
Jayawardena came into the crease at a vital stage of the innings when his team was struggling after losing both openers for just two runs inside the first couple of overs.
But he dropped anchor at one end and rescued his team with a third-wicket stand of 125 runs along with his partner Ovina Ambanpola, who frustrated the Thomian bowlers for 160 balls stroking 36 with five boundaries.
However, the Thomians returned to the game with two quick wickets as Ashen Perera deceived Ambanpola while Yasindu Dissanayake was beaten by a Darien Diego delivery to leave Royal at 130 for four.
Dinura Senaratne and Nethwin Dharmaratne put in a stiff resistance and succeeded to put on a valuable stand of 69 runs for the seventh wicket.
But Dinura became the fourth victim of Ashen as Royal ended day two with a score of 234 for seven.
SCOREBOARD
S. Thomas’ 1st innings 297
Royal 1st innings
Isula Geeganage lbw b Perera 00
Rehan Peris b Fernando 01
Sineth Jayawardena c and b Diego 92
Ovina Ambanpola c and b Perera 36
Yasindu Dissanayake b Diego 01
Ramiru Perera lbw b A. Perera 23
Dineth Senaratne c Soysa b A. Perera 33
Nethwin Dharmaratne not out 29
Bulan Weeratunga not out 01
Extras: (b7, lb6, nb4, w1) 18
Total (For 7 wickets in 86 overs) 234
Fall: 1-1, 2-1, 3-127, 4-130, 5-164, 6-164, 7-233
Bowling: A. Fernando 7-3-30-1, A. Perera 26-8-51-4, N. Caldera 14-3-37-0, K. Dias 8-0-22-0, A. Paranavidana 9-1-22-0, D. Diego 19-4-35-2, D. Goonewardena 2-0-14-0, M. Perera 1-0-10-0.