Under-19 Cricket Final: Mahanama and Richmond battle for supremacy

By M. Shamil Amit

Unbeaten Mahanama College Colombo and Richmond College Galle will battle for supremacy to lay their hands on the Under-19 Division One Tier ‘A’ limited overs title when they clash in the final scheduled to be played at the Surrey Village ground in Maggona today.

In the run-up to the final, Mahanama Colombo, led by Dulnith Sigera, ended the first round as the top team in their group with wins against Gurukula MV Kelaniya, St. Servatius Matara, St. Peter’s Bambalapitiya and Thurstan College, while the match against S. Thomas’ was washed out due to rain before chalking wins against Prince of Wales and Royal Colombo in the quarter- and semi-final encounters.

On the other hand, Richmond, led by Bevin Jayawardena, ended up as the third-best team in their group, securing first-round wins against DSS, St. Anthony’s Katugastota and Lumbini MV while undergoing a defeat to defending champions St. Joseph’s, but made amends by turning the tables to overcome the Josephians in the quarter-final and followed with a win against Gurukula MV Kelaniya in the semi-final encounter.

With the two teams possessing talented players, a closely contested and keen tussle could be expected, while Mahanama will be aiming to bag their first-ever major U-19 title

The Teams:
Mahanama College - Dulnith Sigera (Captain), Chamika Heenatigala, Eshan Withanage, Gimantha Dissanayake, Sithum Vihanga, Venura Kaveethra, Geeth Sandaruwan, Sineth Weerarathne, Sanul Weerarathne, Sithum Sathnindu, Yashen Gunathilake, Yenitha Gunasekara, Kaushika Thilakarathne, Thaviru Perera, Vimash Madanayake, Navindu Rodrigo, Yasith Angammana, Tehnuj Rashmin, Sanuka Ganepola, Abhinu Thathsuka, Dulnith Algewatte, Akila Rajapaksha (Master in charge), Ashan Priyanjan (Head Coach), Dulshan Elwalage (Asst. Coach)
Richmond College - Bevin Jayawardane (Captain), Minaga Ariyadasa, Tenusha Nimasara, Nethuja Basitha, Risinu Rupasinghe, Ameesha Rasanjana, Daham Mendis, Shevan De Zoyza, Ranindu Chanik, Hiruk Akalanka, Randinu Abeysirigunawardena, Tenura Dias, Nethsara Akash Hewa, Senuk Dulneth, Gayuka Kavishka, Udula Kumudaka, Vihansa Thejas, Arosh Jerial, Tharul Shanilka, Chalindu Dulmina, Vihanga Indusara, D. W. Chamith Rangana (Master in Charge), Mahesh De Silva (Head Coach), Lahiru Maduwantha (Asst. Coach), Avindu Theekshana (Asst. Coach), Sidath Priyankara (Asst. Coach)