Bowlers shine as Moratuwa Battle of the Golds end in stalemate
Moratu Vidyalaya’s Vishwa Didulana and Isuru Nidarshana’s counter attacking partnership ensured that the 70th Battle of the Golds against Sri Sumangala College, Panadura, played at the De Soysa Stadium in Moratuwa, end in a draw.
Sri Sumangala Panadura won the toss and elected to bowl first on day one and their bowling attack which was led by Manmitha Dulan, Heshan Jayalath, Vidusha Peiris and Rasika Dilshan. Their combination gave the early advantage to the Sumangalians as they were able to justify captain Prabash Jayasekara’s decision to bowl first as all four baolwers claimed two wickets each to restrict Moratu Maha Vidyalaya for just 98 runs off just 42.2 overs in their first innings.
Unfortunately the Sumangalians failed to capitalise on the early advantage as they also lost wickets in clusters and none of their batsmen were able to build partnerships throughout the innings. Besides all Sumangala batsmen, Kavidu Gayathra top scored with 48 runs, which provided resistance with the bat as they ended the day on 98 for the loss of nine wickets.
On day two Sri Sumangala Panadura was bundle out for 109 runs. Malith Rupasinghe was outstanding for Moratu Vidyalaya as he picked four wickets for 22 runs. When Moratu Vidyalaya started their second innings, the Sumangalians had a slender lead of 12 runs.
However their hopes of restricting Moratu Vidyalaya were shattered as Vishva Didulana and Isuru Nidarshana scored 63 and 45 respectively to propel their score to 180 for the loss of eight wickets.
As Moratu Vidyalaya set a target of 168 runs, there was only one result possible, a draw. So did the 70th Battle of the Golds of Moratuwa concluded with a tame draw. Vishva Lahiru Kumara of
Sri Sumangala College won the man of the match award for his all-round performances.
Brief Scores
Moratu Vidyalaya 96 all out (42.2) (Vihanga Nimsara 30, Sukitha Dewthilina 27, Heshan Jayalath 2/7, Rasika Dilshan 2/15, Vidusha Peiris 2/17, Manmitha Dulran 2/17) and 180 for 8 declared (62.2) (Vishwa Didulana 63, Isuru Nidarshana 45, Sukitha Dewthilina 27, Deneth Sithumina 21, Vishwa Lahiru Kumara 3/52, Vidusha Peiris 2/27)
Sri Sumangala Panadura 109 all out (55) (Kavindu Gayathra 48, Vidusha Peiris 22, Malith Rupasinghe 4/22, Mahith Methdinu 2/25, Madura Gimhana 2/2) and 76 for 2 (26) at close (Vishwa Lahiru Kumara 28, Duranka Silva 25n.o.)