Royal wins by 2 wickets!

It is the height of festivity of the Big Match season. The flags of blue and gold covering the entirety of College coupled with the students’ eagerness and enthusiasm overwhelming day by day set the ideal background for the Royal Thomian Mini Battle played between the 2nd XI teams of both institutions.

The morning of the 6th of March marked the beginning of this battle that paves the way for the ultimate encounter. Winning the toss, the Thomians elected to keep to the pitch; a decision that soon turned the tables in favour of Royal as Helitha Vithanage struck at 2/1. Despite Thomain attempts to retaliate in sufficient prowess, the Royal bowlers managed to keep them aloof with two more wickets both by Chamaka Edirisinghe at 22 and 39. Just as play seemed to settle down at a better note for the Thomian side, Gothama Ranasinghe made a break through at 87/4, soon to be followed by Malith Kariyawasam shining at 94/5.

After resuming play upon finishing lunch, the Thomians made yet another attempt to come back, this time with better fortune as they made their way to 164 until Gavin Karunarathne made the much needed break through. Soon after Gothama made his second strike for the day at 180/7. The Thomian line up was soon taken down as Gavin made two more advances at 202/8 and 212/9. Gothama put an end to the Thomian batsmen’s efforts as he got his third wicket for the day, halting the innings at 217/10.

Royal’s first innings saw a better start with Danidu Jayasinghe falling on at 28/1. A strong partnership was seen as Ronuka Jayawardena made his way to the pitch, raising the sides score to 83/2 getting out at 32 runs. Soon after Shashika Yasawardena makes his half century sadly being taken out at 52 runs. Gavin Karunarathne follows shortly afterwards putting Royal to 112/4. Helitha Vithanage and Malith Kariyawasam are seen putting their best attempts to keep the score steady. The two fall at 125 and 177 respectively. Soon after, captain of the side, Umesh Sooriyabandara is taken out at 199/7 after scoring 58 runs for the side. Chamaka Edirisinghe soon followed at 200/8.With Kavindu Madarasinghe falling at 208, followed by Gothama Ranasinghe out at 212, the Royal innings come to an end.

The Thomian 2nd innings shows a better opening as the side holds on until the first break through by Malith at 32 soon to be followed by Ronuka taking a run out at 39/2. Gavin Karunarathne joins in at 46/3, with Gothama just behind as he makes his mark again at 48/4. The Thomians manage to get their game back to course with a steady play leading to the next break through at 70/5 by Malith followed by another wicket by him at 72. Gothama decides to keep the score halted for a while longer as he makes another strike putting the side’s score to 72/7. Malith makes it again as he takes his 5th wicket for the match at 73/8. Gavin makes two more strikes, both at 97 as he puts an end to the Thomian innings.

With little time remaining, the Royal side set off chasing a score of 102. Shashika and Ganidu give it their best as they take the side’s score to 44/1. However the Thomians are quick to catch up as they take another at 44/2, followed by yet another at 48/3. The side slowly tries to fall back into rhythm, sadly to be interrupted again at 74/4. To more wickets at 75 and 76 pushes the Royal side to an uncomfortable position. The side attempts to keep it up, yet again to be interrupted with two more wickets at 87. With two wickets remaining, Malith and Kavindu keep to the pitch as they bring the score to 103/8 and victory for the side.

Thus the Royal Thomian 2nd XI encounter came to an end with Royal emerging victorious by 2 wickets.

S Thomas (1st innings) 217
Royal (1st innings) 212
S Thomas (2nd innings) 97
Royal (2nd innings) 103

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