A complete and commanding performance by Royal with centurion Kavindu Pathirathna and bowlers Prashan Kalhara and Uthum Dissanayake running through the Ananda line-up left them only a wicket away from an innings win at Ananda Mawatha yesterday.
Despite the home-side giving no fight throughout the match, their captain Saviru Bandara smelling an innings defeat went on to hit a bold half-century with three sixes, still trailing by 134 runs.
The visitors Royal made the most of their momentum by enforcing a follow-on and this time the home side were off to a respectable score.
Until the second wicket fell, their innings was in control. But it was then, the mini-repeat of their first essay collapse returned to haunt them. The collapse also featured a rare hat-trick of the same bowler-fielder combination. The rare occurrence also removed opener Nushan Dharmarathne for a decent 45.
Royal continuing from an overnight 359 for 6 declared at 386 for six after Pathirathne reached his century.
Royal then sent Ananda crashing for a first innings score of 88 and had them reeling at 169 for 9 in the second innings.
Brief Scores:
Royal: 386 for 6 dec (Pathirathna 100 n.o., D Manchanayake 67, Fernando 3-63)
Ananda: 88 (Bandara 42, Dissanayake 4-22, Yabesh 3-27) and 169 for nine (Saviru 66 n.o., Dharmaratne 45, Kalhara 5-46, Dissanayake 3-67) PS