COLOMBO: St.Thomas’ College were in a commanding position in the first session of the 144th Battle of the Blues Inter-School Big Match against traditional rivals Royal College played for the Rt. Honourable D. S. Senanayake Memorial Shield at the SSC Grounds in Maitland Place on Thursday.
Royal, who were put into bat were struggling at 83 for four at lunch in 23 overs with Skipper Dasis Manchanayake (26 n.o) and Ramiru Perera (12 n.o) making a desperate attempt to revive the innings after the shock start.
The Thomians took advantage from the overcast conditions and from the grass top as they troubled the batsmen from the start through some excellent seam bowling where Akash Fernando and Nathan Caldera took the honours in this three-day encounter.
In fact, Fernando struck in the very first over of the innings to remove the Royal opener Rehan Peiris for four runs while Caldera dismissed Sineth Jayawardena in the fourth over to make it 12 for 2.
Royal never looked like recovering as they lost the third wicket at 19 as Uvindu Weerasekera fell for a splendid delivery from Kavindu Dias in the ninth over of the innings.
Skipper Dasis Manchanayake joined Ovina Abanpola and the pair made a determined effort to lift the side before Fernando struck for the second time in the match and broke the threatening partnership shortly before lunch.
SCOREBOARD
Royal 1st innings
Rehan Peris c Hettiarachchi b Fernando 04
Sineth Jayawardena b Caldera 01
Ovina Abanpola b Fernando 30
Uvindu Weerasekara c Caldera b Dais 03
Dasis Manchanayake not out 26
Ramiru Perera not out 12
Extras: (wd2, lb1, b4) 07
Total: (4 wkts, 23 overs) 83
Fall: 1-4, 2-12, 3-19, 4-63
Bowling:
Akash Fernando 6-0-24-2, Nathan Caldera 7-2-22-1, Kavindu Dais 5-1-15-1, Dineth Goonewardene 2-0-4-0, Charuka Peiris 2-0-9-0, Abheeth Paranawidana 1-0-4-0
