Stage set for Uva Battle of the Golds in Sooriyawewa next week
The 17th Battle of the Golds of Uva, the annual cricket encounter between St. Joseph’s College, B a n d a r awe l a an d Bandarawela Central College, will be played at the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium in Sooriyawewa on August 18 and 19.
This year’s edition of the historic big match which began in 1967, is organised by the Bandarawela Central College Past Pupils’ Association. St. Joseph’s College will be led by Uthpala Lankathillake while Sadith Prabhath Rathnayaka will lead Bandarawela Central.
St. Joseph’s College has clinched the trophy on three occasions while Bandarawela Central has won the encounter on two occasions out of the 16 games played so far.
The last occasion the big match was played in 2020, the game ended in a draw, also played at Sooriyawewa where Bandarawela Central won the toss and put their traditional rivals into bat first.
Bandarawela Central bowlers Chathum Lakpriya and Yasitha Heshan caused trouble to the St. Joseph’s batting line-up, picking three wickets apiece, which had St. Joseph’s dismissed for 88 in their first innings. Pasan Hirudika top scored for Josephians, as he battled solely to strike 24.
Bandarawela Central replied with 195, mainly riding on a brilliant 91-run knock by Ruchira Ayodya Wijesundara. Pamudu Sachintha (26), Yasith Heshan ( 21) and Dulara Wijesundara (21) also contributed with valuable knocks. For St. Joseph’s, Uthpala Lankathilaka claimed three wickets while Randuna Roshan and Yasiru Ruwantha grabbed two wickets each.
Despite their first innings collapse, the Josephians retaliated to score 167 for 7 in their second innings. Ruchira Dilshan (43) and Uthpala Lankathilaka ( 42) batted gallantly, while Sithija Chamindu, with an unbeaten knock of 23, dragged the match towards a draw. Ruchira Wijesundara and Chathum Lakpriya claimed three wickets each.
At the awards ceremony, Bandarawela Central’s Ruchira Ayodya Wijesundara won a double, claiming the man-of-the-match and best batsman’s awards while his team mate Yasitha Heshan was named the best bowler. St. Joseph’s allrounder Malith Thilanka was presented the best fielder’s award. The big match was played last year due to health restrictions and logistical issues.