St. Benedict’s beat Wesley to clinch Cartman Cup in annual encounter

St. Benedicts College on Saturday clinched the Rev. James Cartman Cup in the annual contest with Wesley College at the P. Sara Stadium. 

St. Benedict’s College 1st XI led by Sharujan Shanmuganathan beat Wesley College by 46 runs. It was the first result in the new series between two sides beginning in 2021. This year both schools celebrate a great 128-year-old cricketing legacy since teams first met on a cricket pitch back in 1896.

St. Benedict’s College Kotahena won the toss and elected bat first. St. Benedict was bowled out 150 runs in 50.4 overs. Steve Arshan (42), Janindu Nandasena (30) and Sharujan Shanmuganathan (29) helped to build their innings. Linal Subasinghe and Wesley skipper Sanithu Amarasinghe claimed 4 wickets each.

Wesley replied 122 runs for 8 wickets in 43 overs. Anuga Pahansara (28), Rukshan Tharanga (21*), Linal Subasinghe (20) and Brendon Fernando (20) helped to build their inning. Mevan Dissanayake claimed 5 wickets for 43 runs.

In their second innings St. Benedict’s College was bowled out for 110 runs in 44.2 overs. Vihanga Rathnayaka scored unbeaten 20 runs. Uvin Perera claimed 6 wickets for 34 runs and Sanithu Amarasighe claimed 3 wickets.

Set a target of 139 runs to win, Wesley buckled under pressure and was all out for 92 runs in 39.2 overs. Mevan Dissanayake claimed 4 for 26 runs. Vihanga Rathnayaka, Yohan Edirisinghe and Ayesh Gajanayake claimed 2 wickets each. Mevan Dissanayake claimed 9 wickets in the match.

The two teams will meet again for the one-day encounter for the Luke Shield at the same venue on 2 March 2023, the sesquicentennial funders’ day of Wesley College.

 Scores

St. Benedict’s: 150 (50.4) (Steve Arshan 42, Janindu Nandasena 30, Sharujan Shanmuganathan 29, Linal Subasinghe 4/40, Sanithu Amarasinghe 4/45) and 110 (44.2) (Vihanga Rathnayaka 20 n.o., Uvin Perera 6/34, Sanithu Amarasighe 3/18)

Wesley: 122/8 (43) (Anuga Pahansara 28, Rukshan Tharanga 21 n.o., Linal Subasinghe 20, Brendon Fernando 20, Mevan Dissanayake 5/43, Yohan Edirisinghe 2/38) and 92 (39.2) (Mevan Dissanayake 4/26, Vihanga Rathnayaka 2/11, Yohan Edirisinghe 2/20, Ayesh Gajanayake 2/28