Sri Lanka, March 8 -- By M. Shamil Amit

Sadev Soysa and Dineth Goonewardena shone with half centuries as S. Thomas' College, invited to take first lease of the wicket made 297 runs in their first innings on day one of the 145th Battle of the Blues Inter-School Big Match against the traditional rivals Royal College played at the SSC Grounds in Maitland Place yesterday.

Sadev cracked 83 in 134 balls that included 11 boundaries while Deneth made 50 with eight boundaries.

Sadev was involved in two valuable partnerships. He first figured in an opening-wicket stand of 66 runs with Senadhi Bulankulame and added another 66 runs for the second wicket with Dineth, who shared a 58-run stand for the third wicket with Skipper Mahith Perera.

Howeve...