Sri Sumangala, Tissa Central battle for title

By M. Shamil Amit   

Two schools in the neighbouring towns Sri Sumangala College, Panadura and Tissa Central College, Kalutara will battle for the Under 19 inter-school Division Two Tier ‘A’ two day cricket tournament title when they confront today and tomorrow in the final scheduled to be played at the Ace Capital CC ground in Kirimandala Mawatha, Narahenpita.  
The tournament conducted by the Sri Lanka Schools Cricket Association saw the participation of 18 teams divided into two groups of which four from each group, Sri Sumangala, Lyceum IS Wattala, Rahula College Matara and Tissa Central from Group X and Vidyartha, Sri Devananda MV Ambalangoda, St. John’s Panadura and Dharmaloka MV Kelaniya from Group Y qualifying to the quarter finals.  
In the run up to the final Sri Sumangala led by Vidusha Peiris advanced to the quarter finals having ended as the group leaders and defeated Sri Dharmaloka MV in the quarter final before getting the better of Rahula College in the semi final.  
On the other hand Tissa Central led Hirusha Nethsara ended up as the fourth best team in the same group to qualify to the quarter finals where they overcame Vidyartha and then brushed aside the challenge of Lyceum IS in the semi final to book the berth to the final.  
The two teams will get into the field with.a mission with Tissa Central looking forward to make a repeat of their first round encounter against the same opponent of having recorded a first innings win while Sri Sumangala will be seeking to avenge their loss.  
Even though the scale is in favour of Sri Sumangala it’s going to be a closely contested encounter due to the fact that the two teams are aiming to lay their hands on the title.  
However whatever the outcome is, the two teams have earned their promotion to the Division One Tier ‘B’ segment next year.  
The Teams:  
Sri Sumangala - Vidusha Peiris (captain), Kavindu Gayathra (vice captain), Vishwa Lahiru, Rasika Dilshan, Manmitha Kahapalaarachchi, Akila Wedamulla, Senira Wijegunasinghe, Mavindu Kumarasiri, Krishan Eranga, Neksha Iddamalgoda, Dinal Weerasinghe, Sandeep Weerasinghe, Bihanga Silva, Anuhas de Silva, Rusith Jayawardana, Priyankara Nandasena (Master in Charge), Asela Perera (Head Coach), Dinuka Hondakanda (Asst. Coach)  
Tissa Central - Hirusha Nethsara (Captain), Ishara Malith (Vice Captain), Ashan Vishva, Ajitha Buddila, Hesitha Anuhas, Malindu Dilshan, Minusha Malith, Malsha Kavishan, Randika Piyum, Umantha Akash, Tharuka Samanjith, Thivin Vishvika, Sadew Dilshan, Ashen Ishara, Sithum Mihiranga, Hashen Imsara, Chamindu Lakshan, Pasindu Nethranjana, Chamil Wijewardhana (Master in Charge), Rishan Sajith (Head Coach), Heshan Lakshitha (Assistant Coach), Avantha Madhusanka (Fielding Coach)