Isipatana fightback but Thomians cruise to win 

by Reemus Fernando  

Commencing their second innings with a deficit of 170 runs, Isipatana did well to avoid the embarrassment of an innings defeat but could not prevent S. Thomas’ from recording their second consecutive outright victory in the Under 19 traditional cricket encounter at Mount Lavinia on Wednesday.

Themiya Gunarathne (47), Kevin Samuel (34) and Naveen Kanishka (21) made vital contributions to make the home team bat again.

For Thomians, left-arm right-arm pace combination of Akash Fernando and Nathan Caldera proved crucial once again as the pair accounted for six of the wickets to fall in the second innings. They were the tormentors of the first innings after having accounted for nine wickets to rattle the visitors for 31 runs.

Spinner Charuka Peiris took four wickets in the second innings.

In the morning, the Thomians declared their first innings on the overnight score.

While Ramesh Mendis and Senesh Hettiarachchi scored half centuries, Mahith Perera scored an unbeaten 30 runs for S. Thomas.

After two matches of the season the Thomians are yet to see the middle and lower order batsmen in action.

It was the second consecutive victory for Thomians after cruising to an innings win over Dharmapala in just two sessions early this month.

Meanwhile, in another Under 19 traditional encounter Dharmasoka College Ambalangoda posted 130 runs against Maliyadeva at Ambalangoda. Randul Samarahewa top scored with 58 runs.

Scores:

Isipatana

31 all out in 20.3 overs (Akash Fernando 5/08, Nathan Caldera 4/11, Kavindu Dias 1/07) and 173 in 57.3 overs (Naveen Kanishka 21, Themiya Gunarathne 47, Kevin Samuel 34; Akash Fernando 2/41, Charuka Peiris 4/63, Nathan Caldera 4/41)

S. Thomas’

201 for 4 overnight declared (Romesh Mendis 70, Senadhi Bulankulame 29, Senesh Hettiarachchi 51n.o., Mahith Perera 30n.o.) and 5 for 1 in 1 over