Solomons’ unbeaten century steers Thomians

Reshon Solomons scored a superb unbeaten century to set the stage for S. Thomas’ College, Mount Lavinia to record a comprehensive 118-run victory over Mahanama College, Colombo in their Under-17 Division I Tournament match played at the St. Sebastian’s College Grounds, Moratuwa on Tuesday. ‎The Thomians were struggling at 35 for four before Solomons anchored the innings with a magnificent 117 not out off 125 balls, including five fours and seven sixes. He shared a match-defining 169-run fifth-wicket partnership with Sarindu Sugathadasa, who made a valuable 77 off 101 deliveries with 11 fours and a six. ‎Stevon Peiris then added the finishing touches with an unbeaten 46 from just 33 balls, featuring two fours and three sixes, as S. Thomas’ recovered brilliantly to post 287 for 5 in their 50 overs. ‎Yukitha Dabare was the most successful Mahanama bowler with two for 43, while Sanuka Gunasekara and Vihanga Perera claimed a wicket each. ‎Chasing 288, Mahanama were bowled out for 169 runs despite useful knocks from Yukitha Dabare (39), Ramitha Weliwatta (37) and Chenitha Moratuwage (19). Regular wickets and disciplined bowling prevented them from mounting a serious challenge. ‎Tharul Jayasuriya led the Thomian attack with two for 25, while Shenuk Fernando, Kushen Perera, Thihas Kakulandara and Mevinu de Silva picked up a wicket apiece. ‎Solomons’ outstanding unbeaten century proved to be the defining performance of the match and the day in the Under 17 matches, rescuing his side from early trouble and laying the platform for an emphatic win. ‎At Ananda Mawatha, Ananda College produced a notable all-round performance to register a comprehensive 149-run victory over St. Peter’s College, Bambalapitiya. ‎After electing to bat, Ananda piled up an imposing 347 for 8 in their allotted 50 overs, with several batsmen making valuable contributions. Opener Thewjan Fernando narrowly missed out on a century, striking a superb 94 off 103 deliveries with six fours and seven sixes. Methula Dhamsath added a fluent 76 from 72 balls, while Wishwa Weragoda provided late acceleration with a blistering 71 off just 46 deliveries, including nine boundaries. Dinula Layan also played a quick-fire knock of 42 from 28 balls as Ananda finished strongly. ‎For St. Peter’s, Renish Anthony, Diyon Alwis and Mahiru Gunathilake claimed two wickets each. ‎Facing a daunting target of 348, St. Peter’s never gathered enough momentum despite a fighting innings from Sashidu Silva, who top-scored with 84 off 109 balls, hitting 12 boundaries. Mahiru Gunathilake remained unbeaten on 21, but the rest of the batting line-up struggled against Ananda’s disciplined bowling attack as they finished on 198 for 8 in 50 overs. ‎Rusara Viduna was the pick of the bowlers with impressive figures of 3 for 32, while Tharul Mesandu claimed 2 for 19. Himira Kudagama, Gayuka Silva and Dinula Iayan chipped in with a wicket each to complete Ananda’s dominant victory. ‎Meanwhile, Maris Stella College, Negombo, Prince of Wales College, Moratuwa, Nalanda College, Colombo and De Mazenod College, Kandana emerged victorious in their respective encounters. (RF) ‎