Saturday Sep 13, 2025
Saturday Sep 13, 2025
Monday, 21 July 2025 02:46 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
By Sa’adi Thawfeeq
With Police SC having already qualified for a place in the semi-finals of the SLC Major Club 50-Over Tournament, the battle for the remaining three places takes place today when the group matches come to a conclusion.
From Group A, along with Police SC, NCC and Tamil Union are battling to qualify. NCC, who are currently second, have completed their group fixtures and have 8 points. Tamil Union (6 points) will meet Police SC in their final group game at the Police Grounds, and a win will secure them the second spot and a place in the semi-finals provided they maintain a better net run rate than NCC. They go into this crucial match having a slightly better net run rate (0.606 against NCC’s 0.047).
In Group B, there is a three-cornered tussle for the top two positions. At present, Moors SC, who have completed their group fixtures, are on top with 10 points. They are hotly pursued by last year’s losing finalist CCC and Colts. CCC, with the best net run rate in the tournament (2.123), hosts Nugegoda SWC at the CCC grounds. If there is anything to go by, CCC should win the contest hands down, having posted the highest total of the tournament at this venue – 340-7 against Bloomfield four days ago.
Colts, on the other hand, have a tough assignment when they take on Bloomfield at the Colts Grounds. Bloomfield, although taken to the cleaners by CCC, are a good outfit and cannot be taken lightly. If both CCC and Colts win their respective matches, they will draw level on points with Moors SC, and the two semi-finalists will be decided on the net run rate.
The other matches being played today but will not have a bearing on the semi-final places are: Ace Capital CC v Chilaw Marians CC at Thurstan Grounds, Badureliya CC v Panadura SC at Surrey Village Grounds, Maggona, and Kurunegala YCC v BRC at the Welagedara Stadium, Kurunegala.
