Sudeera guides Devapathiraja

Two superb all-round performances by Sudeera Weeraratne (98 and 2 for 36) and Chamika Sandaruwan (51 and 3 for 36) steered Devapathiraja MMV Ratgama to a 81 run win on first innings over Debarawewa NS at Ratgama recently.

Taking first lease of the wicket Debarawewa NS were dismissed for 156 as Ushan Thisal staging a lonely battle to be the top scorer with a patient 67. Naveen Lakshan (3 for 25), Chamika Sandaruwan (3 for 36) and Sudeera Weeraratne (2 for 36) bowled best for the Ratgama School.

Chasing the victory target Devapathiraja’s Weeraratne and Sandaruwan led the onslaught with two notable innings of 98 and 51 respectively. Weeraratne was unlucky to miss a well deserved century by two runs. They were the main contributors helping Devapathiraja to pile up a massive 237.

(Ushan Thisal 67, Ishan Aravinda 40, Naveen Lakshan 3 for 25, Chamika Sandaruwan 3 for 36, Sudeera Weeraratne 2 for 36)

(Sudeera Weeraratne 98, Chamika Sandaruwan 51, Sahan Madusanka 36, Lahiru Sandaruwan 23, Vishwa Ananda 3 for 10, Ushan Thisal 3 for 64, Hansaka Lakshan 2 for 69)

A fighting second wicket stand of 60 runs between Pumiditha Perera (37) and Maneendra Jayatilleke (25) supported by a fine spell of off- spin bowling by Kalana Jayawardene (5 for 21) enabled DS Senanayake College to beat Ananda Sastralaya, Kotte by 73 runs in a Singer Trophy All Island Under 15 Div. I cricket match played at the latter’s grounds last week.

Batting first DSS closed their innings at 150 for 8 in 50 overs with main contributions coming Perera, Jayatilleke and Dilshan Priyamantha (28). S.C. Thivanka (3 for 42), K.H.Y.N. De Silva (2 for 27) and I.L.C. Daniel (2 for 24) bowled best for the Kotte lads.

In their turn at the wicket the Sastralaya batsmen never looked confident in coping the spin of Jayawardene after opening bowler Missaka Nadun making the early break through to finish with figures reading 11-3-21-5. Sastralaya were dismissed for 77 in 37.2 overs.

(Pumuditha Perera 37, Maneendra Jayatilleke 25, Dishan Priyamantha 28, S.C. Thivanka 3 for 42, K.H.Y.N. De Silva 2 for 27, I.L.C. Daniel 2 for 24)

(B.D.P. Perera 18, Missaka Nadun 2 for 7, Kalana Jayawardene 5 for 21)

A match winning spell of bowling by Risitha Ranasinghe (7 for 46) helped Veluwana College to register a first innings win over St. Thomas’s Kotte at Kotte recently.

(Tharusha Charuka 32 n.o., Risitha Ranasinghe 7 for 46) and 50 for 5 at close (Shamika Mendis 42, Lakshan Amendra 39, Malidu Perera 6 for 48) –