Shenal Boteju and Danal Hemananda shone for St. Peter’s College while skipper Shevon Daniel shone for St. Joseph’s College in their 88th Battle of the Saints annual big match played at the P Sara Stadium.

However, St. Peter’s dominated day one proceedings when they made a score of 251 for 8 in their allotted 60 overs for the first innings, and then bowled out St. Joseph’s for a score of 163.

Boteju made a top knock of 81 in 136 balls that included ten boundaries and a six while Hemananda made a quick-fire unbeaten 58-ball knock of 55 inclusive of two boundaries and two sixes. Daniel hit 71 in 93 balls which included seven boundaries and three sixes.

Boteju in fact came to the rescue of St. Peter’s taking first lease of the wicket when they were struggling with their top four batsmen back in the pavilion with the score on 71, and along with Nimuthu Gunawardena put on a valuable 56 runs for the sixth wicket.

The separation of the pair saw the Peterites losing two quick wickets before Hemananda came to the side's rescue as he found a reliable partner in Shanshay Gunatileke who made a run-a-ball knock of 47 with three boundaries and two sixes as the pair associated in another valuable 79-run stand for the eighth wicket which helped them end up with a respectable score of 251 runs.

St. Joseph’s in their turn were in a spot of bother on 117 for 5. But they were unable to make any progress despite skipper Daniel holding on to one side as he was forced to watch his partners being dismissed at the other end.

There were no significant partnerships that came their way apart from the brief 40-run stand for the fourth wicket between Daniel and Dunith Wellalage who made 36 off 24 balls. Their late order batting failed to make any impression as they lost their remaining five wickets for the addition of only 46 runs.

Wanuja Sahan and Shennon Rodrigo who together shared seven wickets did the damage. St Peter’s batting the second time ended the day on 35 for 2 for an overall lead of 123 runs. The match will be continued today.

At P Sara Stadium

St. Peter’s 251 for 8 (Shenal Boteju 81, Shanshay Gunatileke 47, Nimuthu Gunawardena 36, Danal Hemananda 55 n.o.: Shevon Daniel 3 for 67, Dunith Wellalage 3 for 92) and 35 for 2 (Vishen Halambage 22)

St. Joseph’s 163 (Shevon Daniel 71, Dunith Wellalage 36, Sadeesh Jayawardena 15: Wanuja Sahan 4 for 63, Shennon Rodrigo 3 for 26). By M. Shamil Amit