Royal record thumping 180 runs win  

Royal registered an emphatic 180 runs victory over arch rivals S. Thomas’ as a combined bowling effort restricted the Thomians to 161 runs in the second innings in the 144^th Battle of the Blues at the SSC ground.

Given an improbable target of 342 runs to win Senesh Hettiarachchi and Charuka Peiris were the only batsmen to resist as the Thomians struggled for survival from the start.

Nethwin Dharmarathne, Ramiru Perera and Sineth Jayawardene grabbed two wickets each after pacemen shared the top three wickets.

S.Thomas’ came to the match as the favourites and did well on the morning of day one taking four Royal wickets for 63 runs but from then on Royal made them eat humble pie as they dominated all sessions.

On day one Royal skipper Dasis Manchanayake staged a dramatic recovery posting a record breaking fifth wicket stand with Ramiru Perera. Both scored centuries and helped Royal post a commanding total.

S. Thomas’ were bowled out for a low score with pacemen sharing bowling honours. Ranuka Malawiarachchi, Sandesh Ramanayake and Bulan Weeratunga took three wickets each. Batting a second time Royal reached 168 for four wickets in at stumps on day two with Senesh Hettiarachchi unbeaten on 46 runs. They declared their innings on the overnight score to leave S. Thomas’ with a mountain to climb.

Scores:

Royal 326 for 8 decl. in 74 overs (Ovina Ambanpola 30,  Dasis Manchanayake 137, Ramiru Perera 128; Akash Fernando 4/55, Kavindu Dias 3/58) and 168 for 4 overnight decl. in 26 overs (Dasis Manchanayake 57, Uvindu Weerasekara 28, Ramiru Perera 46.o.; Akash Fernando 4/59)

S. Thomas’ 153 all out in 55 overs (Senadhi Bulankulame 40, Mahith Perera 30, Nathan Caldera 20; Ranuka Malawiarachchi 2/35, Sandesh Ramanayake 2/36, Bulan Weeratunga 3/26) and 161 all out in 58.5 overs (Senesh Hettiarachchi 46 n.o., Charuka Peiris 22; Nethwin Dharmarathne 2/27, Ramiru Perera 2/25, Sineth Jayawardene 2/14)

(RF)