Royal take charge as Dasis continues to shine

Skipper Dasis Manchanayake continued his outstanding form as Royal College took firm control of the 144th Battle of the Blues Inter-School Big Match with another dominant performance against their traditional rivals S. Thomas’ College at the SSC Grounds in Maitland Place yesterday.

The elegant left-hander continued to rewrite history as he became the first Royal Captain to score a hundred and a half century in the same Big Match following his top score of 137 in the first innings.

Manchanayake, who promoted himself in the batting order, plundered 57 from just 49 deliveries inclusive of six boundaries as Royal reached 168 for four in their second innings to extend their overall lead to a massive 341.

Manchanayake and Uvindu Weerasekera added 62 runs for the third wicket in even time to wrest the initiative after Royal had lost two early wickets in pursuit of quick runs. First innings centurion Ramiru Perera was equal to the task as he hammered an unbeaten 46 from 34 balls inclusive of two sixes and added 53 for the unfinished fifth wicket with wicket-keeper batsman Sanvidu Senaratharachchi.

Royal, of course, decided against enforcing the follow on after they bowled out the Thomians for 153 runs, to obtain a good first innings lead of 173 runs. Royal declared their first innings at the overnight score of 326 for eight and almost immediately justified their decision by reducing the opponents to 45 for three by the 14th over.

The Thomians shuffled their batting order but continued to struggle for runs throughout the innings and never looked like getting on top of this Royal attack, which had plenty of variation, accuracy and consistency.

Opener Senadhi Bulankulama made a determined effort and occupied the crease for 35 overs for his top score of 40 while the experienced Mahith Perera hammered five boundaries before he was eighth out for 30.

Royal had little difficulties in polishing off the Thomian tail as they snapped up the last three wickets for the addition of just two runs with Sineth Jayawardena claiming two wickets in seven overs.

But the real hard work was done by the Royal seamers Bulan Weeratunga, Ranuka Malaviarachchi and Sandesh Ramanayake as they did the bulk of the bowling to share seven wickets between them.