Josephians miss golden opportunity of beating Bens.

St. Joseph's missed a good opportunity of beating their old rivals St. Benedict's as the Bens held on to a draw in their school cricket encounter played at Kotahena yesterday. The Bens who folded up for a paltry 134 in the first innings were struggling at 136 for 8 in their second innings .

The Joes who were 71 for 2 overnight went on to make 256 for 6 declared with a 122 run lead. Overnight unbeaten Yashan Samarasinghe 61, Pathum Madusanka 32 and Fabian Fernando a hectic unbeaten 73 facing 34 deliveries with seven sixes and three fours gave the Joes an advantage. Fabian Fernando and Kalpa Ravihara (37) added 74 runs for the sixth wicket prior to the declaration.

The Benedictines going for the second time with a deficit of 122 runs were 136 for 8 at close after facing 70 overs. Only Thulina Dilshan (31) Janaindu Karunatileka (29) batted with some authority where the rest fell to the spin of Yashan Samarasinghe who took 5 for 48).

Brief scores.

St. Benedict's 134 (N.Fonseka 35, Mahel Jayalath 24, Geethika Jayatileka 22 n.o, Fabian Fernando 3 for 18, Hashindra Perera 3 for 30, Aravinda Akurugoda 3 for 31) and 136 for 8 in 70 overs at close ( Thulina Dilshan 31, Janinidu Karunatileka 29, Hashendra Perera 5 for 48). St. Joseph's 71 for 2 overnight 256 for 6 declared ( Duran de Alwis 20, Yashan Samarasinghe 61, Pathum Madusanka 32, Kkalpa Ravihara 37, Fabian Fernando 73 n.o, S. Wijesinghe 2 for 55, Navod Abeysinghe 3 for 44).

Courtesy: Ranjan Anandappa – Sunday Observer