The annual cricket encounter between Royal College and St.Benedicts College was held on the 18^th and 19^th of January 2016 at St.Benedict’s College Ground, Kotahena.

The toss was won by the Benedictine skipper and he chose to bat first on what looked to be a batting – friendly surface. St. Benedict’s batting first only managed 171 runs in 63 overs. Yet again the main destroyers were the two left arm spinners Lasith Embuldeniya and Shan Tennakoon who managed three wickets each while Duvindu Induranga picked up two wickets.

Royal on the first day finished on a high note at 128/4 the skipper being not out on 45* and in the morning got his half ton and was caught behind for 52. Notable contributions were also made by Helitha Vithanage (24) Ronuka Jayawardane (24) and Thiran Dhanapala (23). Royal made a sporty declaration at 192/8 an hour before lunch with clear intentions for another victory.

St. Benedict’s in their second innings batting the entire second day managed 281/9 in 79.1 overs. It was a long hard working day for the bowlers who had to fight for every single wicket in the hot scorching sun. The left arm duo with all their experience managed 3 wickets each while finishing with a match bag of six wickets each.

Match summary

St.Benedict’s College (1^st innings)

Maleesha Senevirathne 42

Shan Tennakoon 22/3

Lasith Embuldeniya 45/3

Duvindu Induranga 27/2

Royal College (1^st innings)

Geeshath Panditharatne 52

Helitha Vithanage 24

Thiran Dhanapala 23

Pasindu Sooriyabandara 21

St.Benedict’s College (2^nd innings)

Thilina Dilshan 81

Poorna Charuka 60

Shan Tennakoon 44/3

Lasith Embuldeniya 74/3

Result – Match drawn