The pair shared a fifth-wicket stand of 129 runs, erasing their previous best of 82 held by S.Dharmasena and S.Amarasinghe established in the 1984 encounter.
Thurstan got off to a disappointing start collapsing to 35 for 4 at one stage. Nalaka de Silva, Sumedha Bandaratilleke, Gayan Sendanayake and skipper Manoj Hettiarachchi all departed without making any significant contribution after they had decided to take first lease of the wicket. Jayawardena however did threaten to take control of the situation and collected 22 runs in just 15 deliveries.
This was mainly due to some superb hostile bowling by Suresh Perera and Kanchana Madugalle. The pair rocked the Thurstan batting line-up, exploiting the conditions to the maximum. Skipper Perera struck early by dismissing the newcomer Nalaka de Silva with the total on 8. Thurstan lost their second wicket without any addition this time Madugalle getting rid of Sumedha Bandaratilleke.
But last year's captain Chamara Liyanage joined the aggressive Sudhara Jayawardena and this pair performed with more responsibility adding 129 runs for the fifth wicket. Jayawardena who sur- vived a chance shortly before lunch went on to score 67 with the help of eight boundaries. Chamara Liyanage settled down to play the supporting role and made a contribution of 59 inclusive of seven boundaries.
Isipatana however came back into the game during the second session mainly through the effort of Suresh Perera. The medium paceman got rid of both Jayawardena and Liyanage and finished with the best figures of 4 for 101. In addition Amal Wanigasekera who was introduced into the attack during the latter stages of the innings captured 2 for 31.
Thurstan managed to take their score past the two hundred run mark with Arjuna Dayananda leading the way. His knock of 61 had great significance as he entered his name in the record books by compiling a half century in his first appearance in a 'Big Match'. He staged a fine late rally and stroked six boundaries while adding 38 useful runs for the last wicket with partner Indunil Wickremasinghe.
In reply Isipatana reached 159 for 3 with skipper Suresh Perera leading their run chase. He remained unbeaten on 65 made in just 60 balls with the help of 12 boundaries.
THURSTAN _ 1ST INNINGS
Nalaka de Silva c Nuwan b S.Perera, Sumedha Bandaratilleke c Wijesekera b Madugalle 7, Gihan Sendanayake c Patabadegi b S.Perera 5, Manoj Hettiarachchi lbw b Madugalle 22, Sudhara Jayawardena b S.Perera 67, Chamara Liyanage c Fernando b S.Perera 59, Sampath Nanayakkara c Nuwan b Madugalle 1, Arjuna Dayananda c S.Perera b Wanigasekera 61, Shameera Samarasinghe c Wijesekera b Nuwan 4, Tharindu Wickremasinghe c Fernando b Wanigasekera 4, Indunil Wickremasinghe not out 4, Extras (B12, LB9, NB2) 23.
TOTAL (all out in 66.2 overs) 258.
FALL: 8, 8, 31, 35, 164, 174, 188, 211, 220.
BOWLING: S.Perera 23-3-101-4, K.Madugalle 19-5-53-3, V.Nuwan 141-56-1, G.Mendis 3-1-5-0, A.Wanigasekera 8.2-1-20-2.
ISIPATANA _ 1ST INNINGS
Amal Wanigasekera b I.Wickremasinghe 5, Rangana Fernando retired hurt 9, Muditha Fernando c Hettiarachchi b Samarasinghe 25, Ravi Jayasuriya c Jayawardena b Samarasinghe 12, Suresh Perera not out 65, Kanchana Madugalle not out 13, Extras (B8, LB13, NB9, W4) 34.
TOTAL (for 3 wickets in 39 overs) 159.
FALL: 27, 68, 103.
BOWLING: T.Wickremasinghe 9-2-32-0, I.Wickremasinghe 5-2-15-1, C.Liyanage 16-4-45-0, S.Samarasinghe 7-1-27-2, S.Nanayakkara 20-10-0.