S. Thomas’ College struggled to reach 95 for four at lunch on the second day of the 144th Battle of the Blues Inter-School Big Match against the traditional rivals Royal College, which continued at the SSC Grounds in Maitland Place on Friday.
This is after Royal had decided to declare their first innings at the overnight score of 326 for eight having completely dominated the opening day through some outstanding batting from Skipper Dasis Manchanayake and debutant Ramiru Perera.
The Thomians were in early trouble as they lost opener Thishen Ehaliyagoda in the fourth over with just six runs on the board as the Royal seamers enjoyed bowling under favourable conditions.
S. Thomas’ collapsed to 45 for three in the 14th over as the Royal fast bowlers Ranuka Malaviarachchi, Bulan Weerathunga and Sandesh Ramanayake captured one wicket each.
The lads from Mount Lavinia made a desperate attempt to get out of trouble through their fourth wicket pair of Senadhi Bulankulama and Nathan Caldera with a brief partnership.
However, off-spinner Ramiru Perera broke the threatening stand with a clever delivery as Skipper Manchanayake held on to a superb diving catch at mid-off to get rid of Caldera in the 24th over.
However, Bulankulama carried his bat throughout the first session and remained unbeaten on 37 from 93 balls inclusive of five boundaries with Charuka Peiris not out on 4.
SCOREBOARD
Royal 1st innings 326 for 8 decl
S. Thomas’ 1st innings
Senadhi Bulankulama not out 37
Thishen Eahaliyagoda c Ramanayake b Weerathunga 05
Dineth Goonewardene lbw b Ramanayake 10
Romesh Mendis c Ramanayake b Malaviarachchi 04
Nathan Caldera c Manchanayake b Perera 20
Charuka Peiris not out 04
Extras: (w9, lb1, nb1, b4) 15
Total: (4 wkts, 29 overs) 95
Fall: 1-6, 2-27, 3-45, 4-83
Bowling: Ranuka Malaviarachchi 7-1-27-1, Bulan Weerathunga 9-4-18-1, Sandesh Ramanayake 7-0-25-1, Dasis Manchanayake 2-0-11-0, Ramiru Perera 4-0-9-1
