A well constructed opening wicket partnership of 124 runs between Buwaneka Ekanayake and Ramesh Yapa Bandara helped Dharmaraja College, Kandy, to take major honours over Kingswood College, Kandy, in their ‘103rd Battle of Maroons’ ended in a draw at the Asgiriya Int’l stadium in Kandy on Saturday.

When the match came to an abrupt end due to bad light at 4 pm, the Rajans in reply to Kingswood’s total of 210 for nine declared, had reached a formidable 327 for seven to take first innings honours and thus retained the T.B. Tennakoon trophy for the 29th year in succession.

This was made possible for the Rajans due to some steady show by their batsmen, who batted with much vigour and confidence.

In the process, Ekanayake, who was later adjudged as the best all-rounder, top scored for the Rajans with 82 runs with 12 boundaries and two sixes while opener Bandara chipped in with 40.

After Sanjaya Kalubowila and Sandun Weerakoody chipped in with 42 and 49 respectively, the fireworks for the Rajans started when Rahula Ekanayake hit 40 and captain Prathab Silva scored 45.

For Kingswood, despite being expensive, it was off-spinner Chathura Kumarasiri with three for 75, who excelled with the ball while Lahiru Gannoruwa captured 2 for 34.

Kingswood College 210 for 9 declared (80 ovs)

(Udara Hettige 44, Chalitha Dharmaprema 31, Madhawa Maduranga 14, Chathura Kumarasiri 15, Lahiru Gannoruwa 12, Ashan Seneviratne 55 n.o; Rahula Ekanayake 4 for 57)

Dharmaraja College 327 for 7 (86.4 ovs)

(B. Ekanayake 82, R. Yapa Bandara 40, Sanjaya Kalubowila 42, Sandun Weerakkody 49, Rahula Ekanayake 40, Prathab Silva 45, Hemal Munaweera 13 n.o; Chathura Kumarasiri 3 for 75, Lahiru Gannoruwa 2 for 34).