Richmond, Thurstan enter semi-finals

By M. Shamil Amit
Richmond College and Thurstan College advanced to the semi-finals of the Under-19 Division One ‘A’ and ‘B’ two-day cricket tournament when they recorded first inning wins against Nalanda College and Mahinda College in the quarter-final encounters concluded at Narahenpita and Ratmalana yesterday.
Richmond, in reply to Nalanda’s score of 95 runs resuming from their overnight score of 115 for three, went on to make a formidable score of 325 runs while Thurstan resuming from their overnight score of 174 for seven made 198 runs. This was in reply to Mahinda’s score of 161 runs.
Meanwhile, Rahula Collega, Matara were on top against Sri Devananda MV, Ambalangoda at the end of the first day’s play in the Division Two Tier ‘A’ quarter-final encounter played at Karandeniya. 

Rahula after being bowled out for 149 runs fought their way back to have the Devans struggling on 72 for five. This match will be continued today.

Results:
At Narahenpita – First innings win for Richmond
Nalanda: 95 (Sajitha Vithanage 25, Sathmina Serasinghe 22, Kaveesha Induwara 6/33, Sharon Abishek 2/30) and 138/1 (Manupa Manmitha 76 n.o, Sadew Samarasinghe 62 n.o)
Richmond (115/3 overnight): 325 (Chehan Subasinghe 51, Sharon Abishek 51, Sihath Ramanayake 49, Shehan de Zoysa 33, Nikil Jayaweera 31, Kaveesha Induwara 28, Thamindu Pradeeptha 24, Malsha Tharupathi 21, Hasith Ratnayake 5/60, Thisara Dewdunu 3/65).
At Ratmalana – First innings win for Thurstan
Mahinda: 161 (Dinura Kalupahana 64, Deneth Kaushalya 22, Vihas Thewmika 7/34, Thanuga Palihawadana 3/59) and 210/7 decl (Pramesh Madubashana 84, Chandupa de Silva 72, Thanuga Palihawadana 5/84)
Thurstan (174/7 overnight): 198 (Tanuja Rajapakse 82, Harith Shalaka 43 n.o, Senuka Dangamuwa 5/47, Arosha Udayanga 4/33) and 156/8 (Dinal Induwara 77, Tanuja Rajapakse 21, Senuka Dangamuwa 6/63).
At Karandeniya
Rahula, Matara: 149 (Janiru Wijewadena 37, Pawara Pabasara 29, Pasindu Shehan 27, Vanith Hansajith 5/26, Sandalu Rashmika 4/22)
Sri Devananda MV, Ambalangoda: 72/5 (Vihanga Malith 27 n.o, Sadew Rithmika 2/26).