by Reemus Fernando
Three of the Under 19 Division I Tier A tournament’s unbeaten sides, Richmond College Galle, Nalanda College Colombo and defending champions Mahanama College, face their first real test today as the knockout stage begins. Their quarter-final opponents have had a less dominant campaign, but all three are determined to stay in the title race.
Richmond V Wesley
Wesley College Colombo are the dark horses of the round. Under coach Dilshan Mendis, the team has undergone a recent transformation, and they hope to go beyond the last eight, as they did in the Under 17 tournament a couple of months ago. They meet a formidable side in Richmond, who arrive full of confidence after four consecutive wins.
Nalanda V St. Anthony’s
St. Anthony’s College Katugastota finished the first round with two wins. After an opening loss to Mahinda, they bounced back to beat St. Peter’s and Lumbini, and their match against Royal ended without a result. They will want to prove that luck did not earn them a quarter-final place. Standing in their way are Nalanda, who have enjoyed a remarkable season and emerged as strong contenders for the title.
Mahanama V St. Joseph’s
St. Joseph’s College Darley Road lost only once in the first round, to eventual group champions Nalanda. With a strong spin attack leading their bowling, they are expected to give Mahanama a close contest.
Teams:
Nalanda College (from): Nadul Jayalath (Captain), Nemindu Akmeemana (Vice Captain), Osanda Pamuditha, Mihin Zoysa, Lithum Wijekumara, Rusandu Silva, Ranmith Senarath, Santhul Wijerathne, Dunitha Anusara, Dunal Yenuka, Gevin Sandesh, Methuka Perera, Sahash Godage, Nadil Dodangoda, Vidun Gamage, Chenitha Ekanayake, Sadew Wijesekara, Thiviru Ranasinghe, Gayuka Madushan.
Officials: Pradeep Nishantha (Head Coach), Nimantha Peries (Asst. Coach), Indika Kumara (Master in charge), Viraj De Silva (POG)
St. Anthony’s College (from):
Ryan Gregory (Captain), Sadew Amarakoon (Vice Captain), Sanuka Kalpana, Sisal Hemaka, Vihanga Nethusara, Kaushika Kumarasinghe, Dinul Wijesinghe, Sanithu Gunathilaka, Hansana Edirisinghe, Hansana Gamagedara, Kaveesha Samarathunga, Sanjana sacheendra, Piumaka Karunarathna, Ohas Adhithya, Sandil Senavirathna, Hansada Sethunga, Zaib Nafeel, Imeth Rajapaksha.
Officials: Akalanka Dissanayake (Head Coach), Divesh Praveen (Asst. Coach), Niwantha Herath (Asst. Coach), Amila Ranasinghe (Master in Charge), Rikaz Mohamed (Cricket Manager)
Teams:
Mahanama College (from): Sanul Weerarathne (Captain), Thaviru Perera (Vice Captain), Sineth Weerarathne, Kaushika Thilakarathne, Praveen Ranhiru, Dulenth Algawatte, Yashen Gunathilake, Umesh Perera, Vihanga Perera, Sanuka Ganepola, Nethula Kariyawasam, Nithum Gunasekara, Nethuka Kulathunga, Vimash Madanayake, Navidu Rodrigo, Kavika Madushan, Thenuja Rashmin, Ramithu Govinna, Nemitha Sandesh.
Officials:
Gihan Rupasinghe (Head Coach), Rumesh Milroy (Asst. coach), Kaveen Silva (Asst. coach), Salinda Madushanka (Asst. coach), Waruna Vithanakanda (Master in charge)
St. Joseph’s College (from): Aveesha Samash (Captain), Senuja Wekunagoda, Nushan Perera, Vigneshwaran Akash, Yenula Danthanarayana, Chethina Kavinda, Nimthaka Gunawardana, Dilpa Maduranga, Vishwa Peiris, Kavith Fernando, Nirwan Jayathilake, Disinu Samarasinghe, Gayasha Fernando, Lesandu Wijethunga, Santhosh Jayaprakash, Pamoda Dalpadathu, Thisaga Perera.
Officials: Lakmal de Silva (Head Coach), Dinal Dhambarage (Senior Asst. Coach), Devinda Ayesh (Asst Coach), Asiri Caldera (Master in Charge)
Teams:
Richmond College (from): Tenusha Nimsara (Captain), Bevin Jayawardana, Risinu Rupasinghe, Daham Mendis, Ravinu Randinu, Punal Hansajith, Tenura Dias, Chalindu Dulmina, Vihanga Indusara, Gayuka Manawadu, Senuk Dulneth, Hiruk Akalanka, Abilash De Silva, Vinuda Ravishan, Tharul Wickramasinghe, Yuneth Piyadigama, Sharon Abhishek, Undulating Kumudaka, Sewhas Lakshitha.
Officials:
Mahesh De Silva (Head Coach), Lahiru Maduwantha (Asst. Coach), Avindu Theekshana (Asst. Coach), Sidhath Priyankara (Asst. Coach), Chamith Rangana (Master in Charge)
Wesley College (from):
Lithum Senuja (Captain), Dinuja Samararatne (Vice Captain), Kavindu Nimsara, Methnula Mayadunna, Senura Lakshan, Govindu Nisansala, Omega Karunarathne, Gagan Perera, Shamma Fernando, Gayuka Fernando, Binoth Sandil, Adhyan Zain, Nethuka Binuk, Tharusha Liyanage, Lithma Perera, Sithika Kulan, Savindu Aththanayaka, Thimira Sandeep.
Officials:
Dilshan Mendis (Head Coach), Nuwan Tharuka (Asst. Coach), Shehan Fernando (Asst. Coach), Ashan Fernando (Asst. Coach), Sasanka Cabral (Physiologist), Salinja Manudul (S & C coach), Savindu Mendis (Master in charge), Aruna Priyankara (Master in charge)