Rahula searching for a win at the Oval
Text and pix by P.D. de Silva
Rahula College will be looking forward to equal the series when they are hosted for the 8th Battle of the Golden Lions by Dharmapala College Pannipitiya at the P Sara Oval on April 5 and 6. The inaugural big match between these two schools was played as the Ruhunu Maya Encounter and was hosted by Rahula College at the Uyanwatta stadium in 2012. Dharmapala who won the 4th encounter lead the series 1-0.
In the past, Dharmapala hosted the big match at the Tyrone Fernando Stadium in Moratuwa but have opted to change venues this year. The only advantage Dharmapala has over Rahula is that they play in the elite Division I of the Schools Cricket Tournament while Rahula play in Division II.
Dharmapala playing in Group ‘D’ were placed sixth in their group with 75.130 points while Rahula fared better by taking third spot in Group ‘C’ of the Division II tournament with 99.350 points. Rahula have got their act together in the past month or so and have put on remarkable performances in their traditional encounters against Division I teams.
A decision may be achieved if the wicket favours spin as the strength of both teams are in that department. Rahula has the services of Chamuditha Dilshan, Thimira Chandika, Ovin Bopage and skipper Sasith Manuranga while Dharmapala can boast of Chamindu Samarasinghe, Shashika Dilshan, Dulaj Egodage and Vihanga Gunawardena.
Allrounder Sasith Manuranga leads the Rahula team for this year’s encounter and the final eleven will be selected from Bhagya Ediriweera, Yenula Santhusha, Sithum Anjana, Heshan Dilhara, Pasindu Avishka, Ovin Bopage, Sahan Bandara, Chamuditha Dilshan, Lakindu Chamodya, Tharusha Jayasekera, Manuja Dulneth, Tharindu Rajapaksa, Binara Sanketh, Ruwinda Dilshan, Malindu Hansika and Thimira Chandika. The team is coached by Ranil Rasanga who has Yasiru Hewanadugala, who led Rahula a few years ago as his assistant. Manoj Madusanka is the master-incharge of the team.
Amila Dayanaka, who is an aggressive batsman will lead the Dharmapala team on to the field. He has Chamindu Samarasinghe as his deputy while the rest of the team will be selected from Avishka Hasarinda, Dulaj Egodage, Vihaga Gunarathne, Rashmika Jayakodi, Shashika Dilshan, Lakshitha Purasinghe, Nadun Hewanayaka, Ashantha Vishwajith, Kavinda Nishantha, Shevon Nadeeja, Tharidu Sadaruwan, Malith Sadakelum, Navidu Naveen and Sanchana Lanka. Pradeep Nishantha has been entrusted to coach the Dharmapala team this season and is assisted by Ishan Anjana. Sujith Soysa is the masterin-charge of the team.