Royal beat Thomians to claim Under-17 title
ThePapareNews article
Royal College, Colombo, were crowned 2026 champions of the inter-school Under-17 Division I One-Day Cricket Tournament after defeating S. Thomas’ College, Mount Lavinia. The tournament was organised by the Sri Lanka Schools Cricket Association with the support of Sri Lanka Cricket.
In the match, which concluded on the 11th at the P. Sara Oval in Colombo, Royal were invited to bat after S. Thomas’ won the toss and posted 205 for 9. The Thomians were then bowled out for just 133, giving Royal a 72-run victory.
Royal also finished the tournament as the only unbeaten side.
Royal College, Colombo, Under-17 team
Dushen Udawela (captain), Savinu Gamage, Muditha Gunasekara, Nithesh Jayasinghe, Ranuda Ranasinghe (wicketkeeper), Manuth Dasanayake, Mahiru Kodithuwakku, Javeeth Perera, Chanithu Kankanamge, Sandul Abeywardena and Gagan Gamage.
S. Thomas’ College, Mount Lavinia, Under-17 team
Reshon Solomons (captain), Methuka Gunaratne, Shaven Fernando, Sarindu Sugathadasa, Vihas Peiris, Thihas Kakulandara, Stevon Peiris (wicketkeeper), Kevin Gunaseela, Tharul Jayasuriya, Kushen Perera, Shenuk Fernando.
Left-hander Manuth Dasanayake led Royal’s batting effort with an unbeaten 92 off 87 balls, hitting 8 fours and 5 sixes.
Opener Mudith Gunasekara contributed 38 off 69 balls with 5 fours, while Dushen Udawela scored 10 off 41 balls.
No other Royal batter was allowed to reach double figures. Shenuk Fernando and Tharul Jayasuriya took 2 wickets apiece, while Reshon Solomons, Vihas Peiris and Kushen Perera claimed a wicket each.
Captain Reshon Solomons top-scored in the Thomians’ reply with 38 off 61 balls, including 4 fours.
Tharul Jayasuriya added 29 off 34 balls with 4 fours and a six, while Thihas Kakulandara made 18 off 48 balls with a four.
Seven Thomian batters were restricted to single figures, with right-arm medium-pacer Mahiru Kodithuwakku leading the attack with 5 wickets for 32 runs.
Gagan Gamage took 2 for 42, while Nithesh Jayasinghe and Dushen Udawela claimed a wicket each.
Brief scores
Royal College, Colombo, Under-17s – 205 for 9 (50.0) Mudith Gunasekara 38, Manuth Dasanayake 92 not out, Tharul Jayasuriya 2/61, Shenuk Fernando 2/20
S. Thomas’ College, Mount Lavinia, Under-17s – 133 all out (36.5) Reshon Solomons 38, Tharun Jayasuriya 29, Mahiru Kodithuwakku 5/32, Gagan Gamage 2/42
Royal College, Colombo, Under-17s won by 72 runs.
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Based on ThePapare reporting