Open batsman Aveesha Samash produced a superb century to power St. Joseph’s College to a commanding first-day total against Prince of Wales College in their Under 19 Division I Tier ‘A’ semi-final encounter at the D.H.H. Ground, Madampella on Monday.

‎Samash top scored with a brilliant 122 runs, striking 14 fours and three sixes, as the Josephians piled up an imposing 354 in their first innings.

‎Asked to take first lease of the wicket, St. Joseph’s suffered an early setback, losing two wickets for just 16 runs. However, Samash steadied the innings with a crucial third wicket partnership alongside Pamoda Dalpadado. The pair added a valuable 173 runs to turn the match in favour of the Josephians.

‎Batting for more than thirty overs together, Samash played the aggressor’s role while Dalpadado provided steady support, ensuring the Joes rebuilt strongly and maintained control of the contest. Dalpadado contributed a well-compiled 64 before being caught by Rusandu Silva off the bowling of Oshan Maneesha, who emerged as the pick of the Prince of Wales bowlers.

‎Samash continued his fluent innings to reach a well-deserved century before being dismissed after laying a solid platform for his side.

‎Following their departures, Chethina Kavinda added a useful 34 while Nushan Perera accelerated the scoring with an entertaining 60 off 68 balls, which included nine boundaries and a six, helping the Josephians reach their formidable total of 354.

‎For Prince of Wales, Oshan Maneesha led the bowling effort with good support from Nethul Anuhas and Rusandu Silva, who claimed two wickets each.

‎At stumps on the opening day, the Cambrians safely negotiated one over each from Nushan Perera and Vishwa Peiris without losing a wicket, beginning their reply cautiously.

‎‎Scores:

‎St. Joseph’s 354 all out in 78.3 overs (Aveesha Samash 122, Pamoda Dalpadado 64, Nushan Perera 60, Chethina Kavinda 34; Oshan Maneesha 4/91, Nethul Anuhas 2/83, Rusandu Silva 2/39).

‎Prince of Wales

3 for no loss in 2 overs. (RF)

Sri Lanka made an impressive start on the opening day of the ITF Asia Under-14 Development Championship finals as five local players recorded victories at the Sri Lanka Tennis Association courts on Monday.

The tournament, which will run until April 19, features young tennis talent from fourteen Asian nations competing for honours. Teams from Hong Kong, India, South Korea, Kazakhstan, Indonesia, Kyrgyzstan, Malaysia, Nepal, Myanmar, Syria, Chinese Taipei, Uzbekistan, Thailand and hosts Sri Lanka are taking part in the championship.

Sri Lanka’s girls produced a strong showing in the first round with three convincing victories. Navya Banagala delivered a dominant performance to defeat Leisan Laksova of Kazakhstan 6-1, 6-0. Sahansa Damsiluni also impressed as she overcame M. Akramov of Uzbekistan 6-4, 6-2. Dinethma Ekanayake completed the successful outing for the girls with a comfortable 6-0, 6-2 win against Vin Miyo Aye of Myanmar.

In the boys’ competition, Buvindu Jayawardhne fought back strongly after losing the first set to beat Nepal’s Bishwo Dallakot 4-6, 6-2, 6-2. Chirath Subasinghe added another victory for the hosts with a convincing 6-4, 6-0 win over Aung Zay of Myanmar.

With five players progressing after the opening round, Sri Lanka enjoyed a promising start to the championship as the young national hopefuls look to make their mark against some of Asia’s emerging tennis talent.

Arrangements have been made to conduct the 71st National Billiards Championship 2026 sponsored by Automobile Association of Ceylon (AAC) and conducted by the Billiards & Snooker Association of Sri Lanka.

‎It is the fourth consecutive year that the sponsors have come forward to bear the cost of the championship.

‎The organisers envisage that there will be around 100 players taking part from around the country. The Championship will constitute of three segments, namely, district, the all Island and finally the national segment.

The 16 seeded players who played the Nationals last year will play for laurels this year too. In addition, the All Island level matches will comprise the players relegated from the last year Nationals and players who will be selected from the districts at this year’s tournament.

‎The matches will be played at the billiards parlor of the Association and the final matches will take place at the Automobile Association of Ceylon tables.

‎Affiliated clubs from the entire country are entitled ti enter for this year’s tournament. Most of the entries are expected from the tri forces players.

‎The proud record that billiards have established in the country dates back to 1973 where M J M Lafir annexed the World ‘s Billiards Championship played in India.