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Dulaj Bandara and Ranmith Jayasena scored fifties apiece for Ragama CC
By Sa’adi Thawfeeq
Half-centuries from Dulaj Bandara and Ranmith Jayasena saw Ragama CC end the first day of the two Major Club U-23 final against Moors SC on 258-8 at the R Premadasa Stadium yesterday.
Choosing to bat first Ragama CC floundered to 69-4 before a recovery of sorts took place when Bandara joined Jayasena in a stand that produced 93 runs for the fifth wicket.
Former Rajan, Bandara played a cautious innings of 73 off 150 balls (5 fours) and following his dismissal Jayasena, the former Peterite left-hander found another able partner in skipper Dellon Peiris (27) and they added a further 47 for the sixth wicket.
Jayasena, the leading run scorer for Ragama CC completed his third half-century of the tournament – 72 off 117 balls (6 fours) before getting run out. Peiris followed four runs later edging a catch to wicket-keeper Sohan de Livera to give left-arm spinner Theesan Vithushan his third wicket of the innings.
Shashika Dulshan stuck it out for 69 balls to remain unbeaten on 29 and on him rests Ragama CC’s hopes of making a competitive first innings score. Earlier, Dinuka Dilshan, the former Sokian right-arm dual purpose bowler rattled the Ragama CC batting by removing openers Yohan Liyanage and Nushan Dharmaratne to have them two down for 21. Two further wickets followed before Bandara and Jayasena joined forces to put the innings back on track.
Moors SC need to finish off the Ragama CC innings as quickly as they can when play resumes today to leave themselves with a chance of chasing down whatever total they are left with. Ninety overs are bowled for the day and yesterday Ragama CC utilised 91 of them to get to their first day total.
In the event the match ends in a no-decision, the trophy and prize money will be shared by the two finalists.
Scores:
