Rajans in command

S.M. Jiffrey Abdeen, Kandy Sports Correspondent

Dharmaraja College, Kandy were on top at the end of the first day’s play in their ‘FL Woodward Trophy’ match against Mahinda College, Galle which began at Open Prison Camp grounds at Pallekelle yesterday. The match will be continued today at 9.30 a.m.

Rajans taking first strike made 217 all out with Sanjay Kalubowila stroking an elegant 66 with 9 fours but the rest of the batsmen failed to come up with substantial contributions.

Off-spinner Romesh Buddhika bowled well to capture 3 for 21 and he was well supported by medium pacer Tharaka Nimesh who took 3 for 36. Mahindians chasing a fairly modest total paid the penalty for being over cautious and were tottering at 64 for 6 in 30 overs.

Medium pacers Nuwan Karunaratne (3 for 18) and Hemal Munaweera (3 for 12) caused the downfall of Mahinda’s batting.

Dharmaraja College 217 all out in 65.4 overs (Sanjay Kalubowila 66, Ramesh Yapa Bandara 32, Rahula Ekanayake 28, Pratap Silva 34, Romesh Buddhika 3 for 21, Tharaka Nimesh 3 for 36).

Mahinda College 64 for 6 in 30 overs (Geeth Hemal 25 n.o., Hemal Munaweera 3 for 12, Nuwan Karunaratne 3 for 18).