Stafford Motors notches first win in MCA ‘C’ Division 50-over League Tournament

After three consecutive defeats, Stafford Motors, riding on Kavindu Munasinghe’s century, notched up their first win in the tournament, as they sunk Colombo Dockyard by a massive margin of 198 runs at the ongoing 7th MCA ‘C’ Division 50-over League Tournament 2018, sponsored by Prestige Automobile Ltd, for the BMW Hyundai Trophy, which continued last week.

Opening batsman Kavindu Munasinghe (105 in 103 balls inclusive of one six and 15 fours) laid the foundation for the Honda Boys with three productive partnerships – a 90-run opening stand off 73 balls with Radeesh Kalpa (55), 56 runs for the second wicket in 60 balls with Asantha Singappuli (21) and 61 runs for the third wicket off 65 balls with Anjelo Eranga (45).

Inspired by Munasinghe’s century, No. 6 batsman Kalhara Peiris further inflicted damage on CDL with a quick-fire 71 not out in 34 balls, inclusive of 2 sixes and 10 fours, as Stafford Motors rode on the fast lane to reach 332 for 5 in 50 overs. 

Kalhara Peiris, who opened the bowling, did not stop at that. He continued to torment CDL with his superb spell (8-2-24-4). Peiris together with his pace partner Shanaka Sampath (8-1-16-3) ripped through the CDL sails, being all out for 134 in 34.3 overs. 

An exciting double by Tharindu Lakshan (74 in 47 balls, inclusive of 12 fours and 10-2-28-5) lifted Nations Trust Bank ‘A’ to a comprehensive 129-run win over Morison Plc.

A valiant unbeaten 89 runs in 92 balls with 10 boundaries by middle order batsman Rahula Ekanayake went abegging as Pyramid Wilmer piped Commercial Bank by four wickets, with 11 balls to spare. 

The batsmen who took Pyramid Wilmer over the line were opener Asher Warnakulasuriya (51) and No. 4 batsman Lasith Fernando (71 in 82 balls with eight hits to the ropes).

The week’s best bowling performance came from Ruwan Fernando of People’s Leasing and Finance (10-3-29-6), who skittled out Commercial Leasing for a paltry 93 runs in 34.4 overs. People’s Leasing went home early scoring 99 for 5 in 21.3 overs. 

Unfortunately, the much-awaited clash between the two unbeaten teams in Group ‘A’, Kanrich Finance ‘B’ and Citizens Development Business ended in a no result at the MCA grounds due to bad weather.

Match results 30 and 31 January and 3 February (six matches)

• At MCA - CDB vs. Kanrich Finance ‘B’ ended in a no result due to rain.
• Kanrich ‘B’ – 195 (48) (R. Sanjeewa 41, K. Chamara 37, P. Maduwantha 39, Savin Gunasekera 6/30)
• CDB – 18 for 2 in 5 overs when rain halted play.
• At Thurstan: NTB ‘A’ beat Morison’s by 129 runs.
• NTB ‘A’ – 293 (49.4) (Dulanja Silva 59, T. Ariyawansa 28, Malshan Fernando 52, Tharinda Lakshan 74, A. Liyanage 25, H. Kularatne 2/34, G. Kahawita 3/73, K. Abeysinghe 2/55)
• Morison’s – 164 (39.1) (Kasun Silva 39, H. Madushanka 32, H. Kularatne 31, K. Abeysinghe 31, Tharinda Lakshan 5/28, M. Thanthirigoda 2/39).
• At Mattegoda: Stafford Motors beat Colombo Dockyard by 198 runs.
• Stafford – 332/5 (50) (R. Kalpa 55, Kavinda Munasinghe 105, A. Singappuli 21, A. Eranga 45, Kalhara Peiris 71 not out, W.R. Kumara 2/41)
• CDL – 134 (34.3) (W.R. Kumara 35, D.S. Kasun 24, Kalhara Peiris 4/24, S. Sampath 3/16)
• At Moratuwa: Pyramid Wilmer beat Commercial Bank by four wickets.
• Commercial Bank – 227/8 (50) (P. Premaratne 32, C. Wanniarachchi 34, Rahula Ekanayake 89 ot out, S. Lakmal 2/47, U. Atapattu 2/26)
• Pyramid Wilmer: 228/6 (48.1) (A. Warnakulasuriya 51, Lasith Fernando 71, T. Jeewantha 35, A. Dharmasena 20 not out, B. Paul 22 not out, S. Fernando 3/37) 
• At MCA – PABC Bank beat Softlogic Holdings by 67 runs
• PABC – 218 (48.2) (K. Prashan 68, T. Silva 35, T. Jayasuriya 33, B. Alwis 26, V. Kumar 2/40, S. Kurala 3/30, P. Vimukthi 2/32, S. Sellaperuma 2/32)
• Softlogic – 151 (31.5) (S. Korala 24, V. Kumar 62, G. Raveena 2/34, B. Alwis 3/25, J. Adithya 2/6)
• At Moratuwa: People’s Leasing and Finance beat Commercial Leasing by 5 wickets.
• Commercial Leasing – 93 (34.4) (A. Perera 20, Ruwan Fernando 6/29, I. Perera 2/14)
• People’s Leasing - 99/5 (21.3) (T. Rodrigo 20, S. Sandaruwan 28, W. Dissanayake 24 not out, Y. Nirmal 2/18) 
• The tournament will continue on 11 and 14 February with a card of four matches.