3 May 2021 12:05 am
The champion Mahinda College team
By M. Shamil Amit
Mahinda College, Galle prevailed in a low scoring final to emerge champions of the Under-19 Division One Tier ‘B’ inter-school limited over tournament with a hard fought three-wicket win over Devapathiraja MMV, Rathgama played at the NCC ground yesterday.
The match was poised to be a closely contested affair due to the fact that Devapathiraja MMV was expected to give Mahinda, though coming into the game as favourites, some resistance but it was not to be, as the outcome was visible after Devapathiraja MMV collapsed for a low score of 99.
Devapathiraja MMV invited to take first lease of the wicket lost two early wickets with the score on 19 but made some recovery to be in the game with the score on 73 for 5.
Mahinda College skipper Navod Paranavithana receiving the trophy from the chief guest
However from there on, they began losing wickets at regular intervals as the Mahinda bowling pair Subanu Rajapakse and Navod Paranavithana, who together shared six wickets between them, ran through the late order batting of Devapathiraja MMV as they lost the remaining five wickets for the addition of just 27 runs.
Mahinda needing just 100 runs for victory was making smooth progress as they went into the lunch break on 46/2. On resumption, the Mahindians underwent some anxious moments as they lost three quick wickets with the score on 52 before Dhanuja Induwara and Kavindu Lakshan settled down and added 33 runs for the sixth wicket.
Mahinda on 85/6 and needing just 15 runs with plenty of overs in hand, lost their seventh wicket before Dhanuja and Osindu Kavindya steered them to victory in the 36th over.
RESULTS
At NCC – Mahinda won by three wickets
Devapathiraja MMV, Rathgama 99 in 36.5 overs (Sasanka Nirmal 17, Jeewaka Shasheen 16, Sudeera Weeraratne 16; Navod Paranavitana 3/8, Subanu Rajapakse 3/22, Osindu Kavindya 2/24)
Mahinda College, Galle 103 for 7 in 35.4 overs (Kawshitha Kodituwakku 23, Kavindu Lakshan 15, Dhanuja Induwara 24 n.o.; Irushika Thimira 3/25)