Rathnawali Balika Vidyalaya, Gampaha successfully defended their title to become champions of Under-19 Girls Division One Inter Schools Cricket tournament for the second consecutive time.

Rathnawali Balika Vidyalaya, Gampaha beat Devapathiraja College, Rathgama by 27 runs in the final of the tournament played at Ananda Mawatha, Colombo. The tournament was conducted by Sri Lanka Schools Cricket Association with sponsorship from Sri Lanka Cricket.

Six teams participated in the tournament including Devapathiraja College, Rathgama, Rathnawali Balika Vidyalaya Gampaha (A), Anula Vidyalaya Nugegoda, Wadduwa Central College, Princes of Wales College Moratuwa, and Vijayabahu Maha Vidyalaya Okkampitiya.

In the finals, Rathnawali Balika Vidyalaya Gampaha won the toss and elected to bat first in the final. They were bowled out for 155 runs in 39 overs. Skipper and opener and Sri Lanka Women’s National Captain Vishmi Gunarathne hit an unbeaten 99 runs in 156 balls with 12 boundaries and two sixes.

Nipuni Jayasinghe and Hashini Wijesinghe also chipped in with crucial cameos to build their innings. Malshi Nirasha claimed four wickets for 18 runs and Vihara Sewwandi claimed three for 41 runs.

In reply, Devapathiraja College, Rathgama managed only 128 runs in 45.3 overs. Skipper Vihara Sewwandi scored 53 runs in 95 balls with five boundaries. Nipuni Jayasinghe claimed four wickets for 19 runs and Nikesha Wijesekara claimed two wickets for 30 runs.

Sri Lanka Cricket Women’s Cricket Development Manager Manuja Kariyapperuma, Ministry of Education Deputy Director of Education Upali Amaratunge, Sri Lanka Schools Cricket Association (SLSCA) President and Nalanda College Colombo Principal Thilak Waththuhewa, Sri Lanka Schools Cricket Association Vice President and Rathnawali Balika Vidyalaya Gampaha Principal Hema Jayawardhane, Sri Lanka Cricket Women’s Cricket Convenor Apsari Thilakarathne, SLSCA Secretary Kamal Indrajith, and SLSCA Girls’ Tournament Secretary and Rathanawali Balika Vidyalaya teacher-in-charge Anusha Gunasekara were present at the game.

Brief scores

Rathnawali Balika Vidyalaya Gampaha (A): 155 (39) Vishmi Gunarathne 99*, Nipuni Jayasinghe 20, Hashini Wijesinghe 14, Malshi Nirasha 4/18, Vihara Sewwandi 3/41

Devapathiraja College Rathgama: 128 (45.3) Vihara Sewwandi 53, Hiruni Hansika 15, Shashini Gimhani 12, Nipuni Jayasinghe 4/19, Nikesha Wijesekara 2/30