Colombo, 17 March, (Daily News):Ananda College edged out their traditional rivals Nalanda College by three runs on a faster scoring rate in their rain hit 34th annual Battle of the Maroons inter school limited overs cricket encounter worked off at the SSC grounds at Maitland Place yesterday.

The Nalandians ended up at 125 for 3 from 20.2 overs when bad light and rain halted play early after the Anandians had rattled up 175 for 8 from their allotted 32 overs.

However Nalanda were well on course of reaching their target at one stage following a sparkling half century from Sri Lanka youth player Dilshan Munaweera. The dashing opener plundered 76 runs from just 54 deliveries with the help of four sixes and seven boundaries.

In fact Munaweera and Primosh Perera put on 109 runs for the first wicket from 14.1 overs to put the Anandians well on track during their run chase. But Udara Peiris snapped up three quick wickets to put the brakes on the scoring rate and as a result the Nalandians fell short by three runs from their target when bad weather intervened in the 21st over.

Earlier Ananda College did well to reach 175 for 8 from their restricted 32 overs after the game had started at 1.00 p.m due to overnight rain.

The openers Dinesh Chandimal and Praboda Seneviratne led the way with a stand of 63 runs from ten overs. Ishara Wickremasinghe and Udara Peiris then consolidated their position with a fifth wicket stand of 46 runs.

Wickremasinghe hoisted four sixes and faced 47 deliveries while Jayasundera stroked three boundaries during his run a ball 36 not out.

Ananda: 175 for 8 in 32 overs (Dinesh Chandimal 27, Praboda Seneviratne 39, Ishara Wickremasinghe 40, Udara Jayasundera 36 n.o, Madawa Warnapura 2 for 30, Nipuna Karunanayake 2 for 23)

Nalanda: 125 for 3 in 20.2 overs (Dilshan Munaweera 76, Primosh Perera 22, Udara Peiris 3 for 20)

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