Devapathiraja, Rathgama champs at Singer U-19 girls cricket contest
Devap a t h i r a j a C o l l e g e, Rathgama emerged champions at the Singer Under 19 Girls Cricket tournament 2016- 17 defeating last year’s runner-up Anula Vidyalaya, Nugegoda by eight wickets in the final match played at the Wesley College Grounds.
It was a repeat of last year’s final where Devapathiraja locked horns with Anula beating them in a close match. This is the Rathgama School’s second championship win in succession. Anula Vidyalaya who had played in four finals winning on two occasions while Devapathiraja emerging winners in the last two occasions out of the three finals they played.
Batting first Anulians faced a huge draw back when their star all- rounder Harshitha Madavi Samarawickrema, a national squad member, was dismissed in the first ball of the match. Anula failed to get away from this early set back as Sathya Sandeepani, skipper of Devapathiraja capitalising on the break through kept pressure on the Nugegoda school batters with an intelligent leadership. She made timely changes and got her bowlers to bowl in short spells not giving Anulians a chance to settle down.
Amashi Dilshani Perera, a stylish left hander along with Janadi Amali made a valiant effort in accelerating the scoring rate scoring 27 and unbeaten 40 runs respectively but lost their wickets in the process. Anula scored 109 for the loss of five wickets in their allotted 30 overs. Teleshiya Chaturangi was the most successful Devapathiraja bowler to claim 2 for 18.
Devapathiraja were given a sound start by openers left hander Parami Mahinsala (27) and Nilakshana Sandamini (14) put- ting on 42 runs for the first wicket making things easy for the batters to follow. A third wicket partnership of 42 runs by Iresha Chaturani ( 18 n. o.) and Kaveesha with ease to win the coveted Singer Trophy. Madhawi Samarawickrema was the only Anula bowler though without any success to trouble the Devapathiraja batters as she worked a fine pace and with a lift off the wicket.