UNDER 19 CRICKET Safran, Samsudeen shine as Zahira dominate

Twin half tons by Tuan Safran and a match bag of 9 for 89 by left arm spinner Ishan Samsudeen were the highlights of the Under 19 inter-school cricket encounter which concluded at Maradana yesterday as Zahira recorded a first inning win over Revatha MMV Balapitiya.

The morning session of play saw Zahira left arm spinners Ishan Samsudeen and Ahamed Amaan sharing eight wickets between them to restrict Revatha MMV Balapitiya resuming on their overnight score of 98 for 3 to a score of 210 on day two.

Ishan ended with figures of 4 for 41 while Ahamed finished with 4 for 55 which helped Zahira take a first inning lead.

This was in reply to Zahira taking first lease of the wicket make a formidable 305 on day one which came on the back of half tons by openers Mohamed Ahnaf and Tuan Safran.

Ahnaf slammed a quick fire 85 in 82 balls that included 11 boundaries and four sixes while Safran cracked a 82 which had seven boundaries and a six.

The pair was associated in a massive 159 runs which paved the way for the Zahirians to amass the formidable score. Zahira batting the second time made 156 for 4 declared with Safran making an unbeaten 68. Revatha MMV set a target of 262 runs for victory ended the day making 156 for 8.

St Sebastian’s too had to be satisfied with a first innings win against Royal Panadura in the match concluded at Moratuwa yesterday. Royal Panadura in reply to St Sebastian’s score of 236 resuming on their overnight score of 35 for 3 was restricted to a score of 173 with Madawa Nimesh making a top score of 83.

Debarawewa National School fought back to deny St Thomas an outright win in the match which ended at the Uyanwatte Stadium in Matara.

The second day’s proceedings saw a fine knock of 76 by Prince Dolagoda and useful knocks coming from Lasith Lakshan, Nevindu Udesh and Nimantha Kaveeshawara enabling them make a score of 224 for 5 declared.

Debarawewa NS having being bundled out for a meager 93 in the first inning chasing 255 runs ended the day on 133 for 4 with the match ending in a first inning win for the Thomians.

At Maradana

Zahira 305 (Mohamed Ahnaf 85, Tuan Safran 82, Tuan Musafer 40, Mohamed Najadh 27: Sa- salanka Mendis 3 for 45, Mohamed Irshad 3 for 95) and 156 for 4 declared (Mohamed Anhaf 44, Tuan Safran 68 n.o.: Delath Viraj 2 for 38)

Revatha MMV Balapitiya (98/3 overnight) 210 (Romesh Maduwantha 56, Sasalanka Mendis 35, Lakshan de Silva 29, Pahan Maduwantha 15: Ishan Samsudeen 4 for 41, Ahamed Amaan 4 for 55) and 156 for 8 (Romesh Maduwantha 43, Pahan Maduwantha 31: Ishan Samsudeen 5 for 48)

At Moratuwa

St Sebastian’s 236 (Visal Senanayake 57, Gayan Silva 44, Muditha Fernando 35, Ashair Warnakulasuriya 29, Viraj Perera 19, Ishan de Mel 18: Hashan Chamara 4 for 63, Vimukthi Wimalasekera 3 for 13, Raveen Lakshan 2 for 26) and 152 for 3 (Avishka Fernando 113 n.o.)

Royal Panadura (35/3 overnight) 173 (Madawa Nimesh 83, Raveen Lakshan 36, Vimukthi Wimalasekera 17: Lahiru Heshan 4 for 14, Ishan de Mel 3 for 24, Nimesh Bandara 2 for 46)

At Matara

St Thomas Matara 123 (Dilip Tharaka 28, Prince Dolagoda 27: Chathura Jayanath 4 for 23, Sachithra Lanka 2 for 23, Dumindu Sachintha 2 for 31) and 224 for 5 declared (Prince Dolagoda 76, Lasith Lakshan 39, Nevindu Udesh 37, Nimantha Kaveeshawara 31 n.o.: Sachithra Lanka 2 for 74)

Debarawewa National School 93 (Sachithra Lanka 39, Kavindu Pramod 17 n.o.: Dinuk Krishan 4 for 21, Nimantha Kaveeshawara 2 for 3, Praveen Madushan 2 for 20) and 133 for 4 (Ishara Chathuranga 42, Sachithra Lanka 29, Sasindu Priyashan 32 n.o., Kavindu Pramod 20 n.o.: Dilum Krishan 2 for 19)

Dilan guides St. Anthony’s to innings win over Vidyartha

A fantastic bowling effort by Anthonian off spinner Dilan Bandara enabled his team to score an innings and 26 run win over Vidyartha at Katugastota yesterday.

Bandara had figures of 6 for 27 and 6 for 26 to almost single- handedly bowl the home team to victory. Skipper Buvaneka Wijetunga also contributed lavishly with a match return of 5 for 45.

Having disposed of the visitors for 64, the Anthonians consolidated their position by posting 171 for 7. Kavinda Yapa Bandara made the top score of the match – a resolute 49.

Isuru Weerasinghe stood out for Vidyartha scoring a determined 25 and picking up two wickets.This welcome win fortheAnthonians came after a bleak, winless season 2013/2014.

Vidyartha 64 in 30.5 overs (Isuru Weerasinghe 25, Sandaruwan Jayasuriya 16; Dilan Bandara 6 for 27, Buvaneka Wijetunga 2 for 19) and 81 in 47.4 overs (Krishantha Jayasuriya 15, Isuru Weerasunghe 11, Namal Perera 21, Roshan Aravinda 21; Dilan Bandara 6 for 26, Buveneka Wijetunga 3 for 26)

St. Anthony’s 171 for 7 in 47.2 overs (Mohammed Aftar 36. Kavinda Yapa Bandara 49, Kanishka Ukgalpaya 21, Dilan Bandara 24 n.o, Damitra Panditharatne 20)- AK