Matale Thomians take the major honours

S. M. Jiffrey Abdeen Kandy Sports Correspondent

St. Thomas College, Matale took first innings honours in their inter-school cricket match against Dharmaraja College which ended in a draw at Lake View grounds, Kandy yesterday.

The Rajans taking first strike were dismissed for 105 with skipper Hemal Munaweera top scoring with a hard hit 41 with 6 fours.

The Rajans would have been bundled out for a far lesser score if not for the lone resistance put up by Hemal Munaweera.

The main wrecker was right arm medium pacer Mohamed Razick who took 7 for 50 and the Rajans had difficulty in coping with his swinging deliveries. He was supported by medium pacer Lahiru Madushanka who took 3 for 32.

Both these bowlers play club cricket for Matale Cricket Club and they used their experience to skittle out the Rajans on their home terrain.

The Thomians in their turn at the wickets found run getting difficult against the varied attack of Rajans but managed to overhaul their opponents total.

Medium pacer Nuwan Karunaratne took 5 for 31 and was supported by Asela Jayatilleke who took 3 for 41.

Batting a second time the Rajans fared much better in making 110 for 3 with Sasith Gunasekera scoring the only half century of the match. His knock of 51 had 6 fours. Lahiru Herath scored 27.

Dharmaraja College 105 all out in 38.5 overs (Hemal Munaweera 41, Sasith Gunasekera 15, Mohamed Razick 7 for 50, Lahiru Madushanka 3 for 31) and 110 for 3 in 26 overs (Lahiru Herath 27, Sasith Gunasekera 51, Lahiru Madusanka 3 for 32).

St Thomas College 134 all out in 67 overs (Lahiru Madusanka 27, Sameera Adikarinayake 24, Rajitha Ranaweera 14, Nuwan Karunaratne 5 for 31, Hemal Munaweera 2 for 27, Asela Jayatilleke 3 for 41).