Major Plate competition Mixed fortunes for Tamil Union, Chilaw Marians CC

Friday, 6 February 2026 01:55 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}


Lahiru Samarakoon ripped through the Nugegoda SWC batting for a career-best 7/38	Thanuka Dabare hit 91 for Chilaw Marians CC	Dilshan de Soysa rescued Badureliya SC with 86*

Tamil Union and Chilaw Marians CC, two clubs fighting hard to avoid relegation to Tier B, had mixed fortunes on the opening day of their Major Plate matches yesterday.

Former Sri Lanka right-arm seamer Lahiru Samarakoon produced a career-best spell of fast bowling, taking 7/38 off 13.3 overs to rout Nugegoda SWC for 88 in their match played at the Welagedara Stadium, Kurunegala.

Pramod Hettiwatte top-scored with 31. By the close, Tamil Union had batted themselves into a strong position, posting 139-1 when bad light ended play. Navod Paranavithana was unbeaten on 69 (off 135 balls, (5 fours).

Chilaw Marians CC were not too happily placed in their match against second-placed Kurunegala YCC at Surrey Village Grounds, Maggona.

Invited to bat first, they lost seven wickets for 136 when rain halted play. Left-handed opener Thanuka Dabare hit an impressive 91 off 111 balls (11 fours, 2 sixes) but none of the other batsmen made more than 21.

Plate group leaders Panadura SC played Badureliya SC at the Galle Cricket Stadium.

Choosing to bat first, Badureliya SC lost their first three wickets for 12 runs before Dilshan de Soysa mounted a rescue operation that saw them end the day brought forward by bad light on 248-7. Rain interrupted the innings at 182-5 and de Soysa, who was unbeaten on 86 at that stage, lost his wicket on resumption for 91 (off 149 balls, 8 fours, 1 six). Sumindu Lakshan (48) and Ayana Siriwardhana (67* off 91 balls, 9 fours) carried on the recovery till stumps.

All matches resume on the second day today. – [ST]