It is another warm morning at Reid Avenue as two teams prepare for their annual encounter. The Royal College vs St.Sebastian’s College 1st XI encounter is about to begin. Having won the toss, Sebastain’s chose to field.

Royal’s play for the day began with Naveen Witharanapathirana and Hasitha Samarasinghe. After the first wicket falls at 24/1, Ronuka begins to bring the Royal score to 52/2 as he gets out for 13. The morning seems to bring the likes of misfortune to Royal as Hasitha and Geeshanth soon fall back to back at 59/4. The side slowly begins to raise their score, still amidst adversary, with Randev and Chamika both managing to score 16 each, raising Royal’s score to 94/6. Captain Harith Samarasinghe along with Thiran Dhanapala add a few more runs with play halting for lunch at 98/6.

Having begun play Dhanapala gets dismissed at 104/7. Under much pressure, Captain of the side, Harith luckily goes on to raise the side’s score with his 32 runs alongside Helitha Vithanage who scored 17. Soon after Shan Tennakoon going out at 150/8 followed by Samarasinghe out at 158/9 marks the end of first innings for Royal.

Sebastian’s have a rough start with Chamika making the first strike at 19/1. Randev strikes soon after pushing Sebestian’s to 34/3. Again Randev along with young fresher Shan Tennakoon’s three wickets puts the side to the uncomfortable position of 88/7. Chamika picking up another wicket ended the day’s play.

Next morning sees Tennakoon back in his rhythm, making his first five wicket haul for College putting an end to Sebastian’s innings at 127/9.

Royal sets off with a steady start 0f 28/0. Soon after though Hasitha and Naveen go out at 29/2 with each scoring 12 and 17 respectively. It’s a bad session for Royal as Geeshaath and Randev both leave at 30/4. Shortly afterwards Dhanapala out at 33/5 brings Chamika to the pitch raising the score to 60/5 as the teams break for lunch.

Play restarts with Ronuka falling out at 67/6. After a strong play of 37 runs Chamika falls at 81/7. once again Harith manages to bring some relief to the side as he brings the score to 100/7. The innings for Royal ends with the side scoring 148.

Sebastian’s begins their second innings with a steady start as they play a staggering 67/1 after Randev gets the first break through for 27. With Shan taking another 3 wickets shining once again Sebastian’s is pushed down to 141/6 by evening.

The match ended a draw with Royal scoring a total of 158 and 148 in each innings and Sebastian’s scoring 127 and 141/6 in each.

Royal College                  158             (Harith Samarasinghe 32, Hasitha Samarasinghe 26).

St.Sebastian’s College       127           (Shan Tennakoon 5 wickets, Chamika Karunarathne 3 wickets)

Royal College                  148           (Chamika Karunarathna 37, Harith Samarasinghe 30)

St.Sebastian’s College       141/6        (Shan Tennakoon 3 wickets)

Match Result – Drawn