PoW, Tissa MMV, Royal, Royal P’dura qualify for semis

Defending champions Prince of Wales along with Tissa MMV Kalutara, Royal Colombo and Royal Panadura qualified for the semi-finals of the Under-13 Division 1 inter-school Cricket tournament, recording wins in their Quarter-final matches over St Anthony’s Katugastota, Ananda Shastralaya Kotte, De Mazenod and Devapathiraja MMV Rathgama.

An all-round performance by Nikil Shashmika who ended with a 7-wicket haul and slammed a match-winning 95 runs, helped Tissa MMV record an easy first inning win over Ananda Shastralaya at Kalutara.

Nikil’s 7- wicket haul enabled Tissa MMV to bowl out the Shastralians for a low 115, and later, his knock of 95 helped his side end their innings at 195.

Sineth Jayawardena cracked his third ton of the tournament as Royal Colombo cruised into the semi-final with a better run rate, to win on points, in the match played at Reid Avenue. Royal taking first lease of the wicket made a modest 243 for 3 declared, while De Mazenod ended the day on 107 for 8.

An unbeaten 87 by Tharusha Nethsara helped Royal Panadura to qualify for the semi-finals with a better run rate over Devapathiraja MMV Rathgama, in the match played at Panadura. Tharusha’s knock saw Royal Panadura end the day on 175 for ? in reply to Devapathiraja MMV’s 202.

Prince of Wales won their match against St Anthony’s Katugastota on points, in the match played at Katugastota, with PoW batting first making 150 for 8, and restricting the Antonians to 101.

The semi-finals are due to be played next week with Prince of Wales meeting Royal Colombo and Tissa MMV clashing with Royal Panadura. 202 for 8 declared (Pawan Sandesh 39, Jeewaka Shasheen 58 n.o., Sasanka Nirmal 27 n.o.: Lasiru Sandaruwan 2 for 44, Thivanka Silva 2 for 46)

175 for 2 (Dinura Eksath 40, Thivanka Silva 28, Tharusha Nethsara 87 n.o)

– Prince of Wales beat St. Anthony's Katugastota on points

150 for 8 (Sandun Ranatunge 21, Mahinsa de Silva 19, Vinuja Ranpul 36 n.o.: Dinindu Bandara 3 for 24, Asitha Wanninayake 2 for 25, Lahiru Abeysinghe 2 for 30)

101 for 6 (Bimsara Jayasekera 33, Hasthika Bandara 26: Mahinsa de Silva 4 for 18)