Courtesy: Ranjan Anandappa – Sunday Observer
Royal College stand in captain Harith Samarasinghe led his side admirably with ten freshers to bring his side to the brink of victory when they were set a victory target of 108 runs in 13 overs in their drawn cricket encounter against St. Joseph's at Reid Avenue yesterday The homesters fell short by 17 runs in their run chase. Harith Samarasinghe who took 6 for 57 combined with Randive Pathiran who had a fascinating all-round effort struck two fine innings of 81 in the first innings and an unbeaten 42 in the second innings and a match bag of 8 for 67 was the main feature in the drawn 117th school cricket encounter between the two schools. In reply to Royal's first innings total of 225 the Joes were 44 for 4 were bundled out for 118 and were made to follow on with a deficit of 108 runs. K.Ravihara top scored with 28 with Randev Pathirana and Akshan Gajaba doing most of the damage sharing 9 wickets among them. Joes fared better in their secondinnings while following on with Dylan Fernandopulle (48), Pathum Madusanka (40) Yashan Samarasinghe (47) doing the bulk of the scoring. Brief scores. Royal 225 (Randev Pathirana 81, Naveen Vidanapathirana 40, Thiran Danapala 29, Akshan Gajaba 25, Fabian Fernando 4 for 62, Ashendra Perera 2 for 56, Aravinda Akurugoda 3 for 34) and 91 for 3 at close in 13 overs (Randev Pathirana 42 n.o, Hasitha Samarasinghe 22, Yashan Samarasinghe 2 for 36) St.Joseph's (44 for 4 overnight) 118 (K.Ravihara 28, Akshan Gajaba 3 for 28, Randev Pathirana 6 for 11) and 214 ( Dilan Fernandopulle 48, Pathum Madusanka 40, Yashan Samarasinghe 47, Aravinda Akurugoda 24 n.o, Harith Samarasinghe 6 for 57, Randev Pathirana 2 for 56)