Sri Sumangala College, Panadura took day one honours as spinner Mevindu Kumarasiri led the the bowling attack with a five wicket haul to restrict Moratu Vidyalaya toa scanty 87 runs in the 73rd Battle of the Golds Big Match at Moratuwa on Friday.

In reply, Sri Sumangala were 51 for three wickets at stumps with Sandeep Wijerathne unbeaten on 17.

Put to bat, the cautious approach of Moratu Vidyalaya made them score at a snail’s pace as their batsmen perished against spin. They lost their first five wickets for 43 runs with Sadew Senanayake and Kumarasiri sharing the spoils between them.

Kumarasiri later mopped up the tail taking two late order wickets to complete a five wicket haul. The left arm spinner’s valuable haul included the prized wicket of skipper Isuru Nidarshana who is among the most productive batsmen of this season.

Bowling to crowded close in fielders Kumarasiri got Nidharshana edge one to first slip to trigger a collapse from which Moratu MV never recovered.

Shehara Fernando who consumed 76 balls for 27 runs and Sithum Silva who faced 101 balls for 20 runs were the top scorers for Moratu MV.

Kumarasiri bowled the bulk of overs for Sri Sumangala. His 26 overs included ten maidnes.

Sadew Senanayake took three wickets in his 15 overs.

For Sri Sumangala, Sandeep Wijerathne was unbeaten on 17 runs for which he consumed 97 balls.

Sanjana Senavirathna took two of the three wickets to fall in the Sri Sumangala innings.

At the end of day one a result looked a possibility as the Big Match is played as a three-day encounter for the first time.

Scores

Moratu Vidyalaya 87

all out in 57 overs (Shehara Fernando 27, Sithum Silva 20; Sadew Senanayake 3/33, Mevindu Kumarasiri 5/28)

Sri Sumangala 51

for 3 in 33 overs (Sanjana Senavirathna 2/19)

by Reemus Fernando