Travelling to Welagedera, the team faced a strong Kurunegiala District team today. We were treated to another delightful ground, which boasted a number of pavilions and stands amidst a lush, tropical setting. Bowling first, we generally found our rhythm a little more, with some nice spells from Shakeel Kurshid, Alex Powell and Kelvin Brenner. Will Jones was the pick of the bowlers with an economy of 3.67 during his tidy 6 overs. Others tired a little in the heat during this 35-over game, though five different bowlers took wickets to leave Kurunegiala with 229-6.
In response, openers Tom Carson and Luke Ginty shared an impressive opening partnership of 47. Carson and Tunda went on to share a 75-run second wicket partnership, with the former scoring an extremely pleasing 62. This was the product of both well-worked 1s and 2s and some beautifully timed drives; both sides warmly applauded him off the pitch.
Some tight opposition spin bowling stemmed our run chase somewhat, but Hari Badale's 22 not out and Tom Savage's explosive 32 from just 12 balls (with three 4s and two 6s) helped keep us in contention. Ultimately, Kurunegiala's all-round class won out. The evening brought some memorable singsalongs at the dinner table, with a local band serenading Tom Carson, warbling with Mr Foster, and teaching us all the chorus to the humble classic that is 'No Bananas'.
We also successfully challenged the locals to a mass football match. Tom Lazarus secured the victory with two outrageous individual moments of brilliance.
