Rahula steers Rajans to victory

S.M. Jiffrey Abdeen Kandy Sports Correspondent

An entertaining knock of 81 with 12 four off 67 deliveries by Rahula Ekanayake spearheaded Dharmaraja College to a 105 run win over Kingswood College in their 21st limited over clash for the Winston Hoole Memorial Trophy played at the Asgiriya Stadium Kandy, yesterday.

Rajans were at one stage in danger of being dismissed for a lower score when the score board read 98 for 5. But Rahula Ekanayake took control of the situation and put on 87 for the sixth wicket with Lahiru Herath who made 24.

With this fine partnership the Rajans were able to post a match winning total in excess of 250.

Kingwood chasing a target of 257 for victory started off well Shalika Walisundera (24) and Imesh Rabel (16) helped by some erratic bowling by the Rajans put on 55 for the first wicket. It appeared that the Kingswoodians would turn tables.

But next three wickets fell for only 8 runs and with more wickets falling scoreboard slumped to 126 for 7 which later became 141 for 9 and it was all over bar the shouting.

Pratap Silva bowled will to capture 3 for 21 supported by Ramesh Yapa Badasa 2 for 10 and Rahula Ekanayake 2 for 28.

With this win the Rajans have levelled the series. Both teams have won eight matches while three matches have been abandoned due to rain.

Dharmaraja 256 for 9 wickets off 50 overs Kavinda Wijekoon 37, Sanjaya Kalubowila 16, Sandun Weerakoddy 20, Rahula Ekanayke 81, Lahiru Herath 24, Hemal Munaweera 23, Tharaka Silva 14, Subodha Premaratne 2 for 46,

Kingswood 151 all out in 46.2 over (Imesh Rabel 16, Shalika Walisundera 24, Udara Hettige 26, Yasinda Athukorala 15, Lahiru Gannoruwa 30, Rahula Ekanayake 2 for 28, Pratap Silva 3 for 21, Ramesh Yapa Badnara 2 for 10,