The tournament was conducted by the Sri Lanka Schools Cricket Association and sponsored by Pure Beverages.
Despite losing their explosive stroke maker cum captain Upeka Fernando early for 20 runs, S. Thomas' managed to score 196 all out. But their bowlers did well to defend the modest total and restricted Ananda to 195 for 9 in 50 overs.
Except for Thilina Kandambi (45) and Muthumudalige Pushpakumara (38) none of the Ananda batsmen failed to excel against some fight Thomian bowling led by Naren Ratwatte who had a penetrative spell of 3 for 18.
Earlier S. Thomas' won the toss and elected to bat on a perfect batting strip. But soon they were in trouble opening paceman of Ananda, Akalanka Ganegama struck thrice in his fourth, fifth and seventh overs to have the Thomians reeling at 36 for 3 in the 14th over.
In-form Thomian captain Upeka Fernando made only 20 before he was caught behind by Lahiru Chauranga off Ganegama. Fernando had an early 'life' when Nuwan Jayawardena missed a simple catch at slips of the same bowler when the batsman was on 3. Shanaka Caldera (1) and Janaka Siriwardena (10) too failed to make significant contributions.
But then came that superb 108-run fourth wicket partnership between former captain Nilanka Peiris (57) and bowler-turned-batsman Lakmal Fernando (59). Fernando, promoted to bat at three down, read the Ananda bowlers well and played a valuable support role to experienced Nilanka Peiris. But this productive alliance came to an end when Lakmal Fernando was caught by Mohammed Ramzy off Muthumudalige Pushpakumara who also removed 'danger man' Peiris with the addition of only 12 runs to the Thomian total.
From 144 for 3, S. Thomas' collapsed to 196 all out in 49.3 overs with their last seven wickets falling with the addition of only 52 runs. Once Pushpakumara broke that Peiris-Fernando partnership, Ananda bowlers came back in to the game and ran through the Thomian lower order.
Paceman Akalanka Ganegama was the most impressive of the Ananda bowlers finishing with 3 for 28 off nine overs while left-arm leg-spinner, Maduranga Mallawarachchi, who shared the new ball attack with him, was economical in finishing 10-2-22-1. Nuwan Jayawardena and Muthumudalige Pushpakumara had two wickets each.
S. Thomas 196 all out in 49.3 overs (Upeka Fernando 20, Janaka Siriwardena 10, Shanaka Caldera 1, Lakmal Fernando 59, Nilanka Peiris 57, Gihan Fernando 3, Meshadh Peiris 11, Suranga Peiris 3, Naren Ratwatte 6, Zakir Kanaka 8, Harshana Jayawardena 9 n.o. Extras 8, Akalanka Ganegama 3 for 28, Maduranga Mallawarachchi 1 for 22, Nuwan Jayawardena 2 for 45, Muthumudalige Pushpakumara 2 for 48).
Ananda 195 for 9 in 50 overs (Thilina Kandambi 45, Muthumudalige Pushpakumara 38, Naren Ratwatte 3 for 18).