Wanuja’s all-round show steers Peterites to win

Skipper Wanuja Sahan made a good double scoring an unbeaten 42 and taking 2 for 21 as St. Peter’s recorded a 4-wicket victory over Isipatana in their Under 19 Division One Tier ‘B’ semi final cricket fixture played at Surrey grounds Maggona yesterday.

Isipatasna choose to bat first and scored 170 (all out) while Peterites reached their target in 8.5 overs to spare with four wickets in hand. Isipatana openers Tharusha Nethsara (22) and Naveen Kanishka (18) added a 34-run stand while paceman Danal Hemananda made the first breakthrough to dismiss Netsara at the 7th over.

Randunu Ganganath (23) made 31 runs for the second wicket with Kanishka while Peterites fielders did a superb job taking three run-outs to ease pressure on Isipatana’s middle order and finally they were restricted to 170 all out with 5.1 overs to spare.

Skipper Wanuja Sahan the leg spinner had the most economical figures of 2 for 21 in his 8.5 overs spell with a maiden while Hemananda and Shenon Rodrigo also made a good supporting role by taking two wickets each.

St. Peter’s chasing their target of 171 runs were unable to make a good start, losing opener Dilana Damsara for just 3 runs in the third over, which was bowled by paceman Kevin Samuel. However, Rusanda Gamage (37 in 49 balls with 3 fours) and Shenal Botheju (17) added a valuable 40-run stand for the second wicket.

After the half way mark of the innings, Peterites were 106 for 5 wickets while skipper Wanuja Sahan and Danal Hemananda made a fighting 43-run sixth-wicket stand getting close to their target.

Wanuja made an unbeaten 42 in 63 balls with 5 fours while Hemananda made a good supporting role by scoring 19. Wanuja and Sanshay Gunatilleka who scored unbeaten 13 in 11 balls with a four and a six reached their target in 41st over to steer their victory. Kavindu Amantha and Yuneth Seneviratne took two wickets apiece for Isipatana.

St. Peter’s, the unbeaten side of the tournament will meet Thurstan in their Division One Tier ‘B’ final which is scheduled to be played on April 11 at Bloomfield grounds.

Chief scores:

Isipatana: 170 all out in 44.5 overs (Tharusha Nethsara 22, Yasith Kalupahana 26, Randunu Ganganath 23, Kavindu Amantha 26, Danal Hemananda 2/22, Wanuja Sahan 2/21, Shenon Rodrigo 2/37)

St. Peter’s: 171/6 in 40.1 overs (Rusanda Gamage 37, Lahiru Dawatage 20, Wanuja Sahan 42*, Kavindu Amantha 2/37, Yuneth Seneviratne 2/13)