The 22nd of November 2014, mid Saturday afternoon, the first XI cricket team of Royal College captained by the well experienced Harith Samarasinghe emerged victorious over Mahinda College Galle in a one sided game which helped Royal record their second win for the season. It was a great display of skill by the young Royalists as they comprehensively outclassed their opponents in all departments of the game. It was indeed short work for Royal as they coasted to an innings and 20 run win over the lads from Galle.

Mahinda College who took first lease of the wicket were well in trouble from the word go. It was a highly disorganized attack by the hapless Mahinda batsmen whereby they were given rough outings by the well equipped Royal bowlers. The Royalists were very sensible in utilizing their bowling resources and subsequently snatched breakthroughs in frequent intervals. Both the pacers and the spinners had their intentions clear and went through the Mahinda line up to restrict them to a mere 53 in their first innings. For Royal, spinner Lasith Ambuldeniya bagged 4 wickets for 22 runs. The frontline fast bowler Himesh Ramanayake picked 3 for 20. The skipper Harith Samarasinghe chipped in with figures of 2 for 6, thus, setting the foundation for a right Royal victory.

After restricting their opponents to a low score, the Royal batsmen were given a great opportunity and exposure in proving the stability at the top of the order. Amidst the high expectations, Royal got off to a great start with elegant stroke-play and a steady build up which indeed comprised of sensible batting and a proper game plan which guided Royal to easily face the Mahinda bowlers. Royal College amassed 155 runs with just the loss of a solitary wicket.This Royal score came on the back of two fine knocks. The skillful opener Naveen Vidanapathirana made his way with a well compiled 80 not out. Naveenwas well supported by a brilliant 64 by the experienced Hasitha Samarasinghe. Royal College declared on their overnight score of 155/1 leaving the opposition struggling for survival.

Trailing by as much as 102 runs, Mahinda College were in deficit and required a slow and steady build up to their 2nd innings. However once again the Royal bowlers gained supremacy and had complete control over the Mahinda batsmen. The middle order was exposed very early once again which followed by a middle order collapse which badly poised Mahinda College on 63 for the loss of 6 wickets during the lunch break. Thereafter within the next session of play Mahinda College succumbed to the Royal bowlers and lost the remaining 4 wickets in quick succession with only the addition of 19 runs. Thus were bowled out for another low score of 82. The skipper Harith Samarasinghe picked up 4 wickets for 20 runs. He was well supported by Lasith Ambuldeniya and Himesh Ramanayake who bagged 3 and 2 wickets respectively.

This win will indeed be a confident boost for Royal College in their upcoming games. The great display of bowling by the trio of Harith, Lasith, and Himesh along with the stable batting performance by Naveen and Hasitha which were well supported by good fielding by the young Royalists would mean Royal College are doing their groundwork in their expectations for a successful cricket season.