Negombo CC jolt SSC with upset win

Under23 Inter-Club 2-day tournament

By Sa’adi Thawfeeq

Negombo CC stunned a strong SSC side by pulling off a first innings win in their Under23 Inter-Club 2-day tournament match concluded at the Air Force grounds, Katunayake yesterday.

Continuing from their overnight total of 291-9, Negombo CC stretched their first innings to 316 courtesy a fighting 40 off 87 balls from Shehan Pramod. SSC in reply lost their first four wickets for 80 before a 115-run stand between skipper Shevon Daniel (81 off 127 balls, 5 fours, 3 sixes) and national player Dunith Wellalage (58 off 132 balls, 5 fours) saw them recover to 195-4. However, the lower order batsmen could not sustain the probing off-breaks of Amitha Pereira (4/110) and seam of Shehan Pramod (3/67) and Hansaja Hiruna (2/36) as SSC were bowled out for 244, giving Negombo CC a 72-run first innings lead.   

NCC and Bloomfield also suffered a similar fate losing their matches in the first innings. Tamil Union spurred by former Benedictine cricketer Tihan Bitar (76 off 162 balls, 5 fours, 1 six) and good contributions from their top order overhauled NCC’s score of 229 and declared at 231-4 at the P Sara Oval. NCC in their second innings put up a better batting performance to score 177-3 largely through their fourth wicket pair Yenula Dewthusa (56* off 76 balls, 7 fours) and skipper Dineth Goonewardena (65* off 75 balls, 8 fours, 1 six) who came together in a partnership of 131*.

Moors SC edged out Bloomfield in a thrilling contest for first innings points at Moors SC grounds. Moors SC lost seven wickets for 192 chasing NCC’s total of 209 and were able to overhaul them mainly through an eighth wicket stand of 31 by Sithum Vihanga (29) and Sandaru Malshan (16). Left-arm spinner Kaveesha Piyumal took 4/62. Bloomfield in their second innings scored 238-8 with left-arm spinner Induwara Udena acquiring six of the wickets for 79 runs.

Ranmith Senarath (70 off 83 balls, 3 fours, 5 sixes) and Duminda Sewmini (51* off 71 balls, 5 fours, 1 six) were the heroes for BRC in their first innings win against Havelock Park rivals Colts at the BRC grounds. BRC were struggling at 115-8 in reply to Colts’ total of 126 when the pair came together in a match-winning partnership that realized 91 runs for the ninth wicket that saw them total 244. Colts in their second essay scored 177-7 with fifties from Hiran Jayasundara (69 off 92 balls, 10 fours) and Rusanda Gamage (52* off 122 balls, 3 fours).

Moratuwa SC fuelled by an unbeaten century off 169 balls (10 fours, 2 sixes) from Deneth Sithumina and his 132-run liaison with Pramesh Madubhashana (83 off 127 balls, 12 fours) made short work of Galle CC’s score of 240 replying with 322-8 declared at Moratuwa Stadium. Galle CC in their second innings lost seven for 127 with left-arm spinner Manuja Chanthuka taking 4/37.

Army SC ran short of time to grab full points from Kurunegala SC at Army grounds, Panagoda and had to be content with only a first innings win. Army SC did well to dismiss Kurunegala SC twice for 150 and following-on for 199 in reply to their score of 263, but time was not on their side to chase down a target of 87. Left-arm spinner Pathum Vihanga was instrumental in the downfall of Kurunegala SC’s batting with a match bag of 9/160 (6/78 in the first innings).

Abishek Liyanaarachchi’s powered packed innings of 133 off 120 balls (5 fours, 11 sixes) gave Kurunegala YCC an easy first innings win against Navy SC at Welisara. Kurunegala YCC replying to Navy SC’s first innings of 239 scored 309. Navy SC in their second innings made 178-4 with Uvindu Perera (66 off 50 balls, 3 fours, 4 sixes) scoring his second fifty of the match and Sumalka Fernando (59* off 72 balls, 9 fours).

Kandy Customs SC took first innings points off Police SC at Police Park scoring 291-9 declared in reply to Police SC’s first innings of 140. Captain and wicket-keeper Iruth Gimshan missed out on a century when he was out for 94 (80 balls, 15 fours, 1 six). Right-arm seamer Chathum Kulasekara took 5/69. Captain Dhanuja Induwara (58 off 72 balls, 4 fours, 1 six) and Maleesha Sandaruwan (82* off 112 balls, 5 fours) struck fifties apiece in Police SC’s second innings of 190-3.

Badureliya CC were left to rue for extending their innings to 409-7 declared when they ran short of time to dismiss United Southern SC in their match which ended in a draw at Salawa Army grounds, Kosagama. United Southern SC in reply finished on 229-8. Manasa Madubashana and Rusanda Silva scored fifties for Badureliya CC. For United Southern SC leg-spinner Senuka Dangamuwa took 6/162 off 51 overs and Sehas Ashinsa and Pesandu Sanjan each made 53.