Battle of the Golds Uva: Wijesundara shines in drawn big match

Ruchira Ayodya Wijesundara impressed with a brilliant knock of 91 which earned him the Man of the Match award as the 16th Battle of the Golds Uva encounter between Bandarawela Central and St. Joseph’s College Bandarawela ended in a draw at the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium in Hambantota.

Ruchira Ayodya Wijesundara (Bandarawela Central)

Best Fielder - Malith Thilanka  (St. joseph’s College, Bandarawela)

The brilliant knock by the Bandarawela Central College batsman, Wijesundara’s knock also earned him the Best Batsman’s Award.

Bandarawela Central won the toss and put their traditional rivals into bat first. Central College bowlers Chathum Lakpriya (3/07) and Yasitha Heshan (3/13) destroyed the Joes’ batting line-up as they were eventually dismissed for 88. Avishka Hansana (2/21) also impressed with the ball for Bandarawela Central. Pasan Hirudika was the only Josephian batsman to show some resistance against the Central College bowling attack. He scored 24.

In their first innings, Bandarawela Central College scored 195 in 82.3, mainly thanks to the 91-run knock by Wijesundara. Pamudu Sachintha (26), Yasith Heshan (21) and Dulara Wijesundara (21) also made valuable contributions. For St. Joeseph’s College, Uthpala Lankathilaka captured 3/41 while Randuna Roshan (2/45) and Yasiru Ruwantha (2/27) shared four wickets among them.

Josephians showed some remarkable batting skills in their second innings, with Ruchira Dilshan (43) and Uthpala Lankathilaka (42) trying to put some quick runs on the board. Sithija Chamindu (23 n.o) was batting as the match was dragged towards a draw at the popular international venue with scores reading 167 for 7. Ruchira Wijesundara (3/40) and Chathum Lakpriya (3/50) took three wickets each.

Heshan was named Best Bowler for his efforts while Malith Thilanka of St. Joseph’s College was presented the Best Fielder’s award. 

The individual awards were presented by the Ovitiyas Hotel, Bandarawela. 

This year’s encounter was hosted by St. Joseph’s College and is organised by the Past Pupils’ Association of the College.  

Brief scores:

St. Joseph’s College, Bandarawela: 88 in 46.1 overs (Pasan Hirudika 24; Chathum Lakpriya 3/07, Yasitha Heshan 3/13, Avishka Hansana 2/21) and 167/7 in 75 overs (Ruchira Dilshan 43, Uthpala Lankathilaka 42, Sithija Chamindu 23*; Ruchira Wijesundara 3/40, Chathum Lakpriya 3/50)

Bandarawela Central College: 195 in 82.3 overs (Ruchira Wijesundara 91, Pamudu Sachintha 26, Yasitha Heshan 21, Dulara Wijesundara 21; Uthpala Lankathilaka 3/41, Randuna Roshan 2/45, Yasiru Ruwantha 2/27)

Result: Match drawn. 

Individual awards:

Man of the Match - Ruchira Ayodya Wijesundara (Bandarawela Central)

Best Batsman - Ruchira Ayodya Wijesundara (Bandarawela Central)

Best Bowler - Yasitha Heshan (Bandarawela Central)

Best Fielder - Malith Thilanka (St. Joseph’s College, Bandarawela)