The 144th Battle of the Blues cricket encounter between Royal College and S. Thomas’ College ended with a fabulous 180 runs win to underdogs Royal at the SSC ground yesterday.
Royal completely outplayed the Thomians in all aspects of the match that became a one-sided contest and won by a huge margin of 180 runs.
The Thomians were bowled out for 161 in the second innings after they were set a target of 342.
After being asked to bat first, Royal mustered a score of 326 for 8 declared to which the Thomians had no answer as they were bowled out for 153 and Royal in their second essay declared at 168 for 4 to set the target.
Royal captain Dasis Manchanayake made it his memorable match as he scored a quick-fire 57 in 49 balls that added to his 137 in the first innings.
He was well supplemented by Ramiru Perera who smashed 128 in the first innings and then made an unbeaten 46 in the second essay.
Senesh Hettiarachchi and Charuka Peiris attempted to steady the Thomian innings at one stage in the target chase but the partnership broke when spinner Ramiru Perera bowled Peiris.
More disaster happened to the Thomians when Perera dismissed Akash Fernando in the next delivery caught by Uvindu Weerasekera for a duck.
Finally the man who batted well for the Thomians Senesh Hettiarachchi was caught at short mid wicket by a jubilant Royal skipper Dasis Manchanayake off Sineth Jayawardena for 46 and the Thomians were all out for 161 giving Royal a sensational 180 runs win to regain the prestigious D.S.Senanayake Shield.
