Srilanka, March 8 -- S. Thomas' Vice-Captain Dineth Goonawardena made a fighting knock of 119, while Royal skipper Ramiru Perera captured 5 for 58 on the second day of the 146th Battle of the Blues cricket encounter at SSC Grounds yesterday.

After Royal's first innings total of 319 for 7 wickets on the first day, Thomians made 302. Royal have a 17-run lead and will bat in the second innings today to try and bring about a result in the encounter.

At one stage, Thomians were 204 for 7, but deputy skipper Dineth Goonawardena anchored the innings, well supported by skipper Kavindu Dias. The pair added a remarkable 80-run eighth-wicket stand, the best partnership of the day, which pushed the score past the 300-run mark.

Earlier, Thomian ope...