2023 has thus far been a joyous year for cricket at Royal College Colombo as they clinched back-to-back junior titles in the under-15 category to make this a right Royal cricketing week.

Royal (A) clinched the Under-15 Division 1 championship after a comfortable first-inning win against the rugby-crazy Isipathana College at the finals held on Wednesday (16) at the Wesley College Campbell Park. Royalists, on Monday (14), won the Division 2 category in the same age group, beating St. Peter’s Colombo.

Isipathana skipper Dasith Perera won the toss and opted to bat first, but his team could only put 120 for 9 in their first innings. Induwara Perera and Navindu Hettiarachchi top-scored for Pathana with 25 a piece. Oshan Gamage with 3/12 and Sehandu Sooriyaratchchi with 3/24 were the picks of the bowlers for Royal.

Matheesha Liyanarachchi was the star of the day as he scored a superlative 95 runs off just 116 to put Royal in the driving seat. Greens captain Perera bagged two wickets for the losing side.

Thevindu Wewalwala led the victorious Royal College outfit.

Brief scores:

Isipathana 120/9 (55) Induwara Perera  25, Navindu Hettiarachchi 25; Oshan Gamage 3/13, Sehandu Sooriyarachchi 3/24

Royal 142/2 (29.3) Matheesha  Liyanarachchi 95, Sehandu Sooriyarachchi 17*; Dasith Perera 2/35

Result: Match drawn (Royal College won on first innings lead)

(MBR)