S. Thomas’ emerge champs, crowd go berserk

S. Thomas’ College, Mount Lavinia emerged champions of the Under-19 Division One Limited Over Cricket Tournament when they recorded a close 12-run win against Richmond College in the final played at the Galle Stadium yesterday.

However, according to eye witnesses an unruly crowd invaded the field after the completion of the match and had manhandled the Thomian players and their supporters which resulted in many of them being injured.

Earlier, the Thomians who were invited to take first lease of the wicket were guided by Yohan Perera who hit a quick-fire 132-ball 124 which included 14 boundaries

Earlier, the Thomians who were invited to take first lease of the wicket were guided by Yohan Perera who hit a quick-fire 132-ball 124 which included 14 boundaries.

He also put on a valuable 96-run stand for the third-wicket with Ryan Fernando who chipped in with 44 as the Thomians made a formidable 261 runs.

Richmond in their run chase made steady progress and were steered by half centuries by Adithya Siriwardena and Bhanuka Manohara.

But in the latter part of the innings they lost wickets at regular intervals before being restricted to 249 runs.

The Thomians won the tournament after a lapse of 16 years with the last being in 2002 where the side was led by Dilshan Gunawardena and guided by the present Coach Dinesh Kumarasinghe.

S. Thomas’: 261 in 49.4 overs (Yohan Perera 124, Ryan Fernando 44, Ravindu de Silva 21, Amshi de Silva 3/38, Chamath Dilsara 3/49, Damith Sandaruwan 2/66)

Richmond: 249 in 49.1 overs (Adithya Siriwardena 53, Bhanuka Manohara 51, Sandun Mendis 49, Shannon Fernando 3/44, Kalana Perera 2/29, Thevin Eriyagama 2/47).