Damion’s five-wicket haul sets up Joes’ fifth win

Under 17 Division I Cricket

by Reemus Fernando  

Defending champions St. Joseph’s beat Prince of Wales by four wickets to conclude the first round as unbeaten team as they registered their fifth consecutive victory in the Under 17 Division I cricket tournament match played at Moratuwa on Wednesday.

Chasing a revised target of 117 runs in 32 overs Senuja Dinhas top scored with 45 runs as he anchored the top order for 25 overs. The Joes reached the target with 21 balls to spare.

Dinhas scored just three fours in his 65-ball knock. After Dinhas was dismissed in the 25th over Aveesha Samash took the initiative to guide the team to victory. He was unbeaten on 26 runs.

Earlier, deciding to bowl first St. Joseph’s had their leading spinner Damion de Silva taking control of the proceedings. The left-arm spinner picked up five wickets to break the backbone of the Cambrians’ batting lineup. His seven overs which included two maidnes cost him just 24 runs.

It was Damion’s second five-wicket haul in the tournament. Damion has played a key role in Joes’ dominating performance in their group. He has now bagged 17 wickets in this tournament.

St. Joseph’s will advance to the knockout stage as unbeaten champions of group ‘A’ where Isipatana, Moratu Vidyalaya, Ananda Sastralaya Kotte, Prince of Wales Moratuwa and St. John’s, Nugegoda were the other school.

Scores:

Prince of Wales

121 all out in 33.4 overs (Suwahas Gawrawa 40, Oshan de Silva 19, Naveen Fernando 19; Damion de Silva 5/24, Nushan Perera 2/29) 

St. Joseph’s

120 for 6 in 28.3 overs (Senuja Dinhas 45, Aveesha Samash 26n.o.; Oshan de Silva 2/16, Suhas Ranawana 2/20)