S. Thomas’ College Mt Lavinia pulled of an exciting one-wicket win over Trinity College Kandy in a nail-biting finish to become the first winner’s of the Ranil Abeynaike Memorial Trophy in their Singer Under 19 schools cricket match played at Mt Lavinia yesterday.
The Thomians chasing a victory target of 122 were 99-9 at one stage of their second innings but skipper Romesh Nallaperuma (35 not out) and Tehan Schafter (2 not out) batted 97 balls to see them home. Apparently it was the Thomians’ first win over Trinity in 19 years.
S Thomas’ who were in a strong overnight position at 123/3 in reply to Trinity’s 224 lost six wickets for the addition of 56 runs and declared their first innings at 179/9. Sithara Hapuhinna was the top scorer with 76 while Vimukthi Nethumal was rewarded with a five-wicket haul. The Thomians’ decision to declare their innings early paid dividence with Thevin Eriyagama (4/18), Pavith Ratnayake (3/29) and Dellon Peiris (3/25) bundling out Trinity for 76 in the second innings. Thisaru Dilshan was the chief scorer with 37 runs while Hasitha Boyagoda was the
only other batsman to enter double figures.
The Trinity bowlers did well to keep themselves in contention by picking up wickets regularly and at one time looked like pulling it off and were within reach of a historical win but the Thomian skipper aided by his tailender took the game away from their grasp.
The Ranil Abeynaike memorial trophy had been shared by both teams since its inception in 2008 as neither team had won it outright.
Scores: Trinity 224 and 76 in 22.5 overs (Thisara Dilshan 37, Thevin Eriyagama 4/18, Pavith Ratnayake 3/29, Dellon Peiris 3/25)
S. Thomas’ 179/9 declared in 52 overs (123/3 o/n) (Sithara Hapuhinna 76, Mathila Wijeratne 30, Dellonn Peiris 31 n.o., Shanogeeth Shanmuganathan 2/47, Vimukthi Nethumal 5/53) and 124/9 in 40.5 overs (Ravindu Kodithuwakku 29, Dellon Peiris 20, Romesh Nallaperuma 35 n.o., Hasitha Boyagoda 2/13, Vimukthi Nethumal 3/45, Shanogeeth Shanmuganathan 2/40)