Janitha Rukshan scored a fighting knock of 77 off 144 balls that saw Thurstan take a 53 runs lead over Isipathana on the second day in their 62nd Battle of the Brothers cricket encounter played at the SSC ground yesterday.
Isipathana were bundled out for 203 runs on the first day and Thurstan fought back after a struggle in the middle order to declare their first innings on 257 runs for 9 wickets.
Thurstan openers Dinal Induwara (42) and Thanuja Rajapakse (21) game them a sound start by putting on 55 runs for the first wicket.
The experienced Vihas Thewmika former skipper as well as National under-19 skipper was able to score 23 off 61 balls to give them some boost.
Thurstan were struggling at 123 for 6 wickets at one stage. Then a useful partnership of 69 runs for the ninth wicket between Janitha Rukshan and Yonun Shilpa helped Thurstan to declare on 253 for nine wickets.
Menula Sadew was the most successful Isipathana bowler taking 5 for 92 was well supported by Mohamed Asjad who claimed 3 for 47.
Chief scores:
Isipathana 203 all out (Rachintha de Silva 6/46) and none for no loss at close
Thurstan: 253 for 9 wickets declared
(Dinal Induwara 42, Thanuja Rajapaksa 21, Sethru Fernando 12, Vihas Thewmika 23, Pathum Dhananjaya 42, Janitha Rukshsn 77, Yovun Shilpa 20 n.o., Mohamed Asjad 3/47, Menula Sadew 5/92)
