This encounter should be a close tussle

Rahula College Matara will go all out to square the series when Dharmapala College Pannipitiya host them to the 6th Ruhunu-Maya encounter at the Tyronne Fernando Stadium in Moratuwa on March 31 and April 1.

Dharmapala College led by Prashan Rathnayaka registered a nine-wicket win to take a 1-0 lead at the 4th encounter in 2015. The limited over encounter, the second in the series, will be played at the same venue on April 2.

The big match between Rahula Matara and Dharmapala Pannipitiya was first played in 2012, is also known as the Battle of the Golden Lions. The inaugural encounter was hosted by Rahula at Uyanwatta Stadium while Dharmapala have hosted the big match at the Tyronne Fernando Stadium in Moratuwa.

Rahula play in Division II of the schools cricket tournament and have fared creditably well by topping their group and securing a semi-final berth in the two-day Knockout Tournament. Dharmapala, who play in Division I of the schools tournament have not been able to get their act together and narrowly missed being demoted to the lower division. Having being privileged to watch both teams play this season and on taking their overall performance into consideration they seem to be evenly matched with Rahula having a slight edge over their hosts.

Rahula College led by Pasan Samarathunga will be selected from Piruna Hewamadduma (vice captain), Sasith Manuranga, Hasindu Chanaka, Nuwan Madhusanka, Chamuditha Dilshan, Uditha Induwara, Sajitha Rajapaksha, Heshan Dilhara, Bhagya Himath, Binara Sanketh, Pasindu Sasanka, Yuraj Chalaka, Janidu Mihiran, Ovin Nuhansith and Lankindu Chamodya.

The boys from down south are coached by Indika Jayasekera who has Ranil Rasanga as his assistant while Viraj Hettiarachchi is the master-in- charge of the team.

Khanishka Jayasundera leads the Dharmapala XI to the sixth encounter and has Mahima Weerakoon as his deputy. The playing XI will be selected from Amila Dayanaka, Vihan Hansaja, Chaminda Samarasinghe, Kisal Devmina, Eranga Sandeepa, Tharindu Sadaruwan, Hashantha Vishwajith, Avishka Hasavinda, Chethiya Shanuka, Dulaj Ashen, Sasika Dilshan, Malith Sadakelum, Gimhan Munasinghe and Thisara Sisara.

The team from western region is coached by Sanjaya Devapura with Sujith Liyanage as assistant coach and Sarath Liyanage as master-in-charge.