The 68th Battle of the Golds came to a halt at 4.15 on day one due to bad light at De Soysa Stadium Moratuwa yesterday. In reply to St. Sebastians College score of 159 Prince of Wales were 79 for 3.

Batting first the Sebs opening pair gave a good start with 51 runs and with the departure of Nishitha Abilash 28 and Shanel Fernando 22 the wickets tumbled at regular intervals.

Danishka Perera was the most successful batsman for Sebs with 32 runs while Praveen Cooray contributed 22 runs. The bright spot for the day was the Prince of Wales Skipper and off spinner Savindu Peiris who became the first Cambrian to pass the 100 wickets when he claimed 4 for 49. Leg spinner Kaumal Nanayakkara had fine figures with 6 for 45.

Prince of Wales started disastrously by losing two wickets for one run and at the end of the day Cambrians were 79 for 3 with Suwath Mendis 21 and opener Sandun Fernando unbeaten on 30 runs. Thashik Perera captured 2 for 17.

Jaffna Central leading on first innings

Jaffna Central won the toss and elected to field. St. John’s bowled out for 217 runs in 77.1 overs. Devadas Sheropan scored 65 runs and Alshan Dinushan scored 31 runs. Theivendram Dinoshan scored 28 runs. Viyakanth Viyaskanth took 4 wickets for 41 runs and Sivalingam Tasoban took 3 wickets for 34 runs. Jaffna Central College bowled out for328 runs in 101.1 overs. Antondayas Jeyadarshan scored 77 runs and R. Rajclinton scored unbeaten 53 runs. S. Madushan (52), S. Thasopan (49) and S. Vishan (30) helped to the build their inning. K. Kapilraj took 5 wickets for 96 runs and M. Abinash took 2 wickets.

St. John’s starter their second inning in behind 111 runs. St. John’s scored 8 runs for 4 wickets at close day two. Match will be continued today (10) for day three.

St. John’s Jaffna 217 in 77.1 overs (Devadas Sheropan 65, Alshan Dinushan 31, Theivendram Dinoshan 28, Naganthirajah Saumyan 22, Joel Praveen 21, Viyakanth Viyaskanth 4/41, Sivalingam Tasoban 3/34) and 8/4 in 5.2 overs (S. Madushan 2/02, S. Sujan 2/05)

Jaffna Central College: 328 (43/1 o/n) in 101.1 overs (Antondayas Jeyadarshan 77, R. Rajclinton 53 n.o., S. Madushan 52, S. Thasopan 49, S. Vishan 30, K. Kapilraj 5/96, M. Abinash 2/34)

Sri Jayawardenapura 205 St. Thomas’ Kotte 36/3

St. Thomas Kotte won the toss and elected to field. Sri Jayawardenapura MV bowled out 205 runs in 70.3 overs. Rishith Samindika scored 79 runs and Buddhika Chaminda scored 38 runs. Malindu Perera took 3 wickets. Kavintha Pahan and Charuka Dilshan took each 2 wickets. Match will be continued today (10) for day two.

Sri Jayawardenapura MV Kotte: 205 in 70.3 overs (Rishith Samindika 79, Buddhika Chaminda 38, kavishka Botheju 27, Malindu Perera 3/39 Kavintha Pahan 2/38, Charuka Dilshan 2/59) St. Thomas’ Kotte: 36/3 in 8 overs (Nadeesh Bandara 21 n.o., Kanishka Maduranga 2/21) (YK)