Defending Sara Trophy champions Bloomfield had to be content with only first innings points after Matara SC had put up stern resistance in the second innings and coupled with bad light and rain forced the division one Sara Trophy (Segment 'A') match to end in a draw at Reid Avenue yesterday.
Resuming on 512 for 7, Bloomfield declared at 566 without losing a further wicket with Priyankara Wickremasinghe scoring his maiden first-class century (121 not out of 194 balls with 2 sixes, 16 fours) and sharing with Bateesha de Silva (54 not out of 79 balls, 4 sixes, 2 fours) an unfinished eighth wicket stand of 107.
Matara SC trailing by a massive 309 runs on the first innings, finished on 233 for 6 before bad light ended play with seven mandatory overs left. Bloomfield have however qualified for a place in the semi-finals.
Matara SC 203 and 233 for 6 at stumps in 68.1 overs (P. Siriwardena 35, S. Guruge 59, P. Wickremasinghe 3 for 44)
Bloomfield (512 for 7 contd.) 566 for 7 decl. in 140 overs (P. Wickremasinghe 121 n.o., B. de Silva 54 n.o., S.M. Foumy 2 for 70, I. Priyantha 2 for 74) - [S.T.]
Ananda-Nalanda 69th cricket encounter: Magnificent century by Sanjaya Rodrigo
By Chris Dhambarage
Nalanda Skipper Sanjaya Rodrigo hit a magnificent knock of 111 to steal the limelight on the second day of the 69th 'Battle of the Maroons' cricket encounter against the traditional rivals Ananda which ended in a draw at the R. Premadasa Stadium, yesterday.
The stylish opener played a true captains innings and helped his team declare their first innings at 251 for 7. Rodrigo held the middle order together and really demoralised the fielding side by occupying the crease for over five hours. His knock was studded with one six and 12 boundaries and was fifth out with the score at 223.
Rodrigo and his opening partner Danushka Fernando laid the foundation for a good first innings total with an opening stand of 81 runs. Fernando made a useful contribution of 43 runs inclusive of five boundaries.
Arunalu de Silva joined Rodrigo and the pair added a further 73 runs for the third wicket. De Silva played a good supporting role and collected his runs from 68 deliveries with the help of four boundaries.
All rounder Dilhan Jayasundera also made his presence felt with the bat and put on 41 runs for the fifth wicket along with Skipper Sanjaya Rodrigo. In fact Jayasundera remained unbeaten on 25 having stroked three boundaries.
The Anandians really toiled hard on the field and used as many as nine bowlers with limited success. Their main strike bowler Sajith Rupasinghe too failed to make an impact and captured only one wicket after a marathon spell of 29 overs.
The Anandians then batted throughout the final session and scored 117 for 5 when rain stopped play in the 10th mandatory over. Sankajaya de Silva took the opportunity and proved himself by capturing 3 for 48.
Thurstan in 129-run win over Isipatana
by Dinesh Weerawansa
Thurstan beat their traditional rivals Isipatana by 129 runs in their annual limited over cricket encounter played at P. Saravanamuttu Stadium yesterday.
Put into bat Thurstan made a modest 224 all out in 27.5 overs with a top score of 52 by opener Arjuna Dayaratne. Since losing the first wicket off the first ball of their innings, Isipatana never looked comfortable and were shot out for 95 off 38.4 overs.
Despite losing three top wickets cheaply - opener Manishan Wedage (2), Dhammika Premadasa (13) and Tharindu Wickremasinghe (6), opener Dayananda played a useful innings which helped Thurstan to make a respectable total which, at the end turned out to be a match-winning one. Middle order batsmen Randika Gamage (23), Indunil Wickremasinghe (32) and Gihan Sandanayake (24) too made useful contributions.
Dayananda signalled his half century with a boundary off Gayan Mendis, but in the very next ball, he was caught, trying to back cut a ball pitched outside the off-stump.
Isipatana, in reply, lost their first wicket without a run on the board off the very first over bowled by Shimal Aponso Malinda Priyankara, caught Gihan Sandanayake.
Since then, wickets tumbled at regular intervals and Isipatana were bowled out for 95. It was Thurstan's first win since 1991 in the 18-year-old series played for the W. A. de Silva Challenge Trophy series.
Only two batsmen from Isipatana reached double figures against some tight bowling by Thurstan bowlers, who were backed up well with some sharp ground fielding. Manishan Wedage was the most impressive and was responsible for the run outs of the top scorer for Isipatana, Gayan Randiligama (30) and Kanchana Rodrigo. Indunil Wickremasinghe too had a good all-round performance for the winners.
THURSTAN 224 all out off 47.5 overs (Arjuna Dayananda 52, Dhammika Premadasa 13, Randika Gamage 23, Indunil Wickremasinghe 32, Gihan Sandanayaka 24, Manoj Fernando 1 for 24, Prasad Niroshan 2 for 28, Kanchana Rodrigo 2 for 45, Gayan Mendis 3 for 43, Gayan Randiligama 1 for 12).
ISIPATANA 95 all out in 38.4 overs (Manoj Fernando 15, Gayan Randiligama 30, Gayan de Silva 2 for 18, Indunil Wickremasinghe 2 for 21, Suresh Perera 2 for 24). AWARDS
Best Batsman: Arjuna Dayananda (Thurstan)
Best Bowler: Gihan de Silva (Thurstan)
Man of the Match: Indunil Wickremasinghe (Thurstan)
W. A. de Silva Trophy winners: Thurstan College.