Galle CC, Negombo CC only teams to beat the rain and win

Thursday, 25 June 2026 04:17 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Under23 Inter-Club 2-day tournament

By Sa’adi Thawfeeq

Galle CC and Negombo CC were the only teams to beat the rain and pull off a first innings win on the opening weekend of matches of the Under23 Inter-Club 2-day tournament concluded on Tuesday.

In rain-affected conditions at Army grounds, Dombagoda, Negombo CC batting first were bowled out for 83, but fought back to dismiss Kandy Customs SC for 33 to gain the vital first innings lead. In their second innings Negombo CC made 43-2. Bowlers took the honours in this game with Kandy Customs SC off-spinner Kaveesha Induwara taking 5/34. For Negombo CC their opening bowlers Shehan Pramod (4/19) and Amitha Perera (6/12) took all ten wickets between them.

A Captain’s knock of 84 off 92 balls (4 fours, 3 sixes) by Dulsith Darshana and his fourth wicket partnership of 117 with Yuri Kottigoda (56 off 90 balls, 1 four, 4 sixes) saw Galle CC overhaul Sebastianites’ total of 191 with 200-6 and take first innings points at the BRC grounds. It was Sebastianites’ captain Rusiru Vilochana who shone for his team with the bat – 91 off 226 balls (4 fours), while leg-spinner Chatham Lakpriya picked up 5/46 off 24 balls.

All the other matches ended in a draw due to bad weather with Colts notching up the highest total – 304-4 declared against Ace Capital CC at Colts grounds. Opener Hiran Jayasundara hit an unbeaten 139 off 233 balls (11 fours, 1 six) and shared in two century partnerships – 123 for the third wicket with Aaron Kodithuwakku (45) and 113 for the fourth with Rishma Amarasinghe (60 off 88 balls, 6 fours). Left-arm seamer Rachintha de Silva took three of the four wickets to fall for 33 runs. Ace Capital CC did not bat.

Neighbours BRC also topped the 300-run mark declaring at 300-5 against Kurunegala YCC at Welagedara Stadium. Former Trinity College, Kandy left-hander Kusal Wijetunga played a masterly innings of 151 off 239 balls (16 fours, 4 sixes) figuring in two profitable partnerships of 95 with Kaveesha Perera (49) and 127 with Yasiru Rodrigo (39). Kurunegala YCC did not bat.

Rain denied Chilaw Marians CC a first innings win against Moratuwa SC at Welisara. After scoring 209 courtesy a 95-run stand off 98 balls between Kevin Samuel (72 off 102 balls, 9 fours, 3 sixes) and Sasanka Nirmal (56 off 77 balls, 4 fours, 2 sixes), Chilaw Marians CC had Moratuwa SC reeling at 74-7. Nirmal followed his half-century with a spell of 4/9 off 7 overs with his off-breaks. Moratuwa SC seamer Prabash Nirwan took 4/70.

Badureliya CC had Tamil Union three down for 45 in reply to their total of 251-8 declared when rain forced a draw at Surrey Village grounds, Maggona. Highlight of the Badureliya CC innings were the half-centuries scored by captain Hiruna Gallage (55 off 84 balls, 4 fours), Shehan Madusanka (58 off 114 balls, 2 fours) and Rusanda Silva (55* off 149 balls, 5 fours). Former Sri Lanka U19 cricketer Vihas Thewmika took 4/75 with his off-spin.

Former Maliyadeva College, Kurunegala all-rounder Dimantha Arusha hit a splendid century (138* off 141 balls, 14 fours) to help Army SC declare at 286-9 against Police SC at Police Park. Police SC replied with 31-1 when rain ended play.

Mineth Premaratne hit a stroke-filled 84 off 136 balls (11 fours, 1 six) and Ameesha Rasanjana and Shanikya Deshapriya contributed 41 apiece to enable Bloomfield end the first day on 245-5 against NCC at the NCC grounds. There was no play on the second day.

In the match between Ragama CC and United Southern SC at Salawa Army grounds only 28 overs were possible during which time Ragama CC invited to bat first scored 87-2.

The match between Kurunegala SC and Panadura SC at Panadura was abandoned without a ball bowled in the two days.

The groupings:

GROUP A: Bloomfield, Moors SC, Ragama CC, Badureliya CC, NCC, Tamil Union, United Southern SC

GROUP B: CCC, Chilaw Marians CC, Galle CC, Leo CC, Sebastianites, Moratuwa SC

GROUP C: Nugegoda SWC, Ace Capital CC, BRC, Navy SC, Kurunegala YCC, Colts

GROUP D: Negombo CC, SSC, Panadura SC, Army SC, Kandy Customs SC, Police SC, Kurunegala SC