St. Anthony’s College ended day one in a strong position in the 103rd annual big match against Trinity College, better known as the Battle of the Blues in the Hill Capital, which commenced at the Asgiriya Stadium in Kandy today.

Three fine half centuries by Mohamed Aaqil (86), Lahiru Abeysinghe (73) and Chandimal Herath (61) helped the Katugastota school put up a good total of 288 on the board.

After a delayed start of 75 minutes due to a wet outfield, Trinity skipper Akram Muthalib won the toss and invited the Antonians to take the first lease of the wicket.

Yasiru Gamarachchi, who opened with Aaqil, could not survive for too long, caught off the bowling of Manula Kularatne without scoring. Kavindu Shehan then joined Aaqil to put on a valuable 66 runs for the second wicket before Shehan was dismissed for 29.

Though much was expected from the Antonian’s leading run scorer Asitha Wanninayake, he was also out without troubling the scorers, falling to leg-spinner and leading wicket-taker for the current school season Theeraka Ranatunge.

Ranatunge then added the wicket of St. Anthony’s captain Chamidu Wickremasinghe to his haul for 10 – the bowler’s 50th wicket of the season.

A partnership of 93 runs between Aaqil and Herath got the Antonians’ innings back on track, the latter scoring 61 inclusive of 3 boundaries and 4 sixes, before they declared their innings on 288 for 9.

Abeysinghe, coming in late, hit 7 boundaries and 3 huge sixes to score a quick-fire 73.

Trinity in response were on 21 for no loss at stumps.

Chief scores:

• St. Anthony’s College 288 for 9 declared (Mohameed Aaqil 86, Lahiru Abeysinghe 73, Chandimal Herath 61, Tharana Wimaladharma 3/67, Theeraka Ranathunga 3/68)
• Trinity College 21 for 0 

By Shamseer Jaleel in Kandy