Wesley claim Sathasivam Trophy with 10-wicket win over Thomians-By M. Shamil Amit

Source:Sundaytimes

Wesley College claimed the M. Sathasivam Challenge Trophy for the very first time since its inauguration in 1999, after handing S. Thomas’ College a 10-wicket defeat at Campbell Park, as the hosts also claimed a vital century old traditional first XI match after many moons against the opponent.

Chasing a target of eight runs with ample overs in hand, Wesley wasted no time at all as they utilised only three deliveries to out of the 48, to score 12 runs and seal the victory.

Earlier in the day, Wesley resumed at their overnight total of 143-4, as man on duty, Sahil Dias, who was 88 not out, powered his way to muster 116 runs and help his team pile up 256 runs, in reply to the Thomians’ score of 129-9 declared. Dias faced 178 deliveries, hit 10 fours and three sixes, as Thilshan Senanayake hit 62 runs in putting Wesley in the box seat.

S. Thomas’ could not impress much in the second essay as Ravindu Sigera spearheaded Wesley bowling to claim a five-fer, to restrict the opponents to 134. This put the hosts in on cloud nine as they were set to chase a simple target of eight runs, with little time left of the second and final day.

The latest entrants to top division cricket, Devapathiraja MV, Rathgama, almost wrapped up a famous victory, only to put top guns St. Peter’s College at their mercy in a Schools Under-19 XI match, which ended in a thrilling draw at Bambalapitiya yesterday.

Devapathiraja had done the hard work, to totally outsmart the richly famous school from Colombo, as only time stood in their way. The Peterites were chasing 209 runs for victory, and were struggling valiantly to save the day and their honour, as they finished the game at 196-9, nine runs away from a hard-fought win.

It was not the thought of the school from the South, as they had the Peterites in the defence, forcing them to guard their wickets, rather than going for runs, with wickets rattling at one end.

Devapathiraja posted 185 in their first innings, and bowled out St. Peter’s for 161, still gaining first innings honours. They were bowled out again for 184, but the target of 209 runs was far from reach with a clinical bowling display from Devapathiraja. Irushka Thimira ended with a match bag of eight scalps, claiming four each in each innings. Danal Hemananda stood out for the Peterites, scoring back-to-back 50s and claiming five wickets.

Chief scores

At Campbell Park: Wesley beat S. Thomas’ by 10 wickets

S. Thomas’ 129 for 9 declared (46.5) (Janindu Abeygoonewardena 43: Linal Subasinghe 4/33, Semila Liyanage 2/30) and 134 all out (59) (Mahith Perera 39, G. Caniston 30, Ravindu Sigera 5/27)

Wesley (O’night 143-4) 256 all out (66.2) (Sahil Dias 116 – 88 n.o., Thilshan Senanayake 62, G. Caniston 2/72) and 12 for no loss (0.3) at close

At Bambalapitiya:

Devapthiraja Rathgama 185 all out (50.2) (Sasanka Nirmal 70, Sandaru Theekshana 25, Tharindu Rukshan 23: Isira Ayupala 3/37, Imaan Umesh 2/25, Shanon Rodrigo 2/40) and (O’night 26-4) 184 all out (34.5) (Pawan Sandesh 72, Jeewaka Sasheen 36, Danal Hemananda 5/41, Niman Umesh 2/50)

St. Peter’s 161 all out (32.5) (Danal Hemananda 57, Sanshay Gunatileke 32, Imaan Umesh 23: Irushka Thimira 4/42, Dasun Dilshan 3/39, Pawan Sandesh 2/28) and 196 for 9 (67) at close (Lahiru Dewatage 56, Danal Hemananda 55, Irushka Thimira 4/81, Dasun Dilshan 3/33)