Matale Thomians crush Govt. Science
Battle of the Golds Matale
St. Thomas’ Matale crushed their arch rivals Government Science College Matale by an innings and 59 runs in their annual cricket big match – Battle of the Gold’s’ concluded last Saturday at Bernard Aluvihare stadium in Matale.
Put into bat first St. Thomas’with wicket-keeper batsman and vice caption Ashan Yapa leading the way with an elegant century (100) aided by two other batsmen Mayantha Aluvihare (65) and Chatura Dilshan (65) declared their innings at 309 for 6 in 46 overs and then restricted the opponents to a low score of 107 in 53 overs.
Right arm pacer Kavishka Weeratunga bowled well to return impressive figures 3 for 10 while spin duo Pandula Udupihilla 2 for 25 and M. Ismail 2 for 13 shared four wickets between them. Made to follow on with a deficit of 202 runs, Science College lads failed to impress once again and despite a fighting knock of 45 runs by Niroshan Ratnayake, they were unable to erase the 202 run deficit and were bundled out for 143. All-rounder Mayantha Aluvihare grabbed six scalps for just 15 runs to complete a grand double.
Mayantha Aluvihare was named the man of the match. He also won the award for the best bowler. The award for the best batsman was won byAshan Yapa, while the best fielder’s award went to Supun Ratnayake of Govt. Science College.
This win also saw Thomians now leading the big match series by 15 wins to one.
St. Thomas’- Matale- 309/6 declaredin 46 overs (Ashan Yapa 100, Chatura Dilshan 65, Mayantha Aluvihare 65, Sajith De Silva 30, Nimesh Jayamaha 22, Tarindu Bandara 3 for 66, Sahan Menusha 2 for 95)
Govt. Science College Matale - 107 all out in 53 overs (Niroshan Ratnayake 36- Kavishka Weeratunga 3/10, Mohamed Ismail 2 for 13, Pandula Udupihilla 2 for 25) and 143 all outin 46 overs (Niroshan Ratnayake 45, Maleesha Withanage 23 not out, Supun Ratnayake 18, Anuradha Ramyalal 18, Mayantha Aluvihare 6/15, Taraka Devapriya 2/24