SLC Under-23 inter-club 2-day tournament United Southern SC turn tables on Ace Capital CC

Sasanka Nirmal bowled United Southern SC to victory with match bag of 10/41, Thimira Irushika (6/48) match winner for Chilaw Marians CC against NCC, Hivin Kenula match bag of 8 wickets for Moors SC, Asitha Wanninayake’s 123 enabled Bloomfield beat Kurunegala YCC

By Saadi Thawfeeq

In spite of former Sri Lanka Under-19 all-rounder Wanuja Sahan’s fine bowling effort (match bag of 10/94) Ace Capital CC finished on the losing side to United Southern SC who turned tables on them after conceding first innings points in their SLC Under-23 inter-club 2-day tournament match concluded at the Panadura esplanade yesterday.

Ace Capital CC gained a slender first innings lead of 17 scoring 143 and dismissing United Southern SC for 126, but United Southern SC bounced back in the second innings to bowl out Ace Capital CC for 86 leaving themselves with a target of 104 to chase which they successfully achieved to win by 3 wickets. Off-spinner Sasanka Nirmal was United Southern SC’s match winner with a bag of 10/41 (5/19 & 5/22). In United Southern SC’s run chase Tharusha Damindu contributed 49 off 31 balls (5 fours, 3 sixes).

The big upset was Kandy Customs SC chasing down Tamil Union’s score of 314 and pulling off a thrilling win through their last pair to take first innings points at the P Sara Oval. Tamil Union rattled off their runs at a hectic pace taking only 56.3 overs. Former Sri Lanka Under-19 skipper Sineth Jayawardena set the tone with a scorching 100 off 61 balls (8 fours, 8 sixes) followed by a knock of 90 off 110 balls (4 fours, 1 six) by another former Sri Lanka Under-19 player Vihas Thewmika. Three half-centuries featured Kandy Customs SC’s run chase – Nadun Asela (62 off 165 balls, 4 fours), skipper Sudheera Weerarathna (60 off 105 balls, 4 fours, 2 sixes) and Pramesh Madubhashana (55 of 101 balls, 5 fours) as they replied with 324-9.

SSC were also involved in a close finish with Galle CC off whom they took first innings points at the Galle Cricket Stadium. Themira Kumarage’s 102 off 185 balls (11 fours, 1 six) put SSC on the right track to overhaul Galle CC’s first innings of 249. But when he was eighth out at 221, SSC were still 29 runs behind and it was left to the tailenders to see them home, reaching 261. In their second innings Galle CC made 125-5 with Dulsith Darshana contributing 62* (55 balls, 9 fours, 1 six). SSC’s left-arm spinner Gishan Balasooriya took 5/34 in Galle CC’s first innings.

NCC suffered a major collapse losing seven wickets for 31 runs to hand Chilaw Marians CC a first innings win at the Moratuwa Stadium. Chasing a Chilaw Marians CC total of 296 of which Dilana Damsara scored 141 off 197 balls (15 fours, 6 sixes), NCC were nicely placed at 158-3 following a 132-run stand between Vinuka Rubasinghe (72 off 95 balls, 3 fours) and Dineth Goonewardena (79 off 158 balls, 5 fours). But once the stand was broken the rest of the batting was consumed by left-arm spinner Thimira Irushika who finished with 6/48. NCC were dismissed for 189 and following-on scored 48-2.

Right-arm seamer Hivin Kenula took 5/16 to give Moors SC a first innings win against Sebastianites at Moors grounds. Moors SC scored 238 and dismissed Sebastianites for 151. In the second Moors SC declared at 113-6 (Oshan de Silva 54) and left Sebastianites to chase 201 for a win. They finished on 84-6 with Kenula adding three more wickets to his match tally.

In a low scoring game at Panagoda, Colombo Malay CC took first innings points against Army SC. Colombo Malay CC were indebted to Dinitha Prabanka (25* off 33 balls) to see them over the line against Army SC. In reply to Army SC’s first innings of 66 (Niman Umesh 5/28), Colombo Malay CC were 38-8 but eventually finished on 67-9 declared (Vihanga Iranjana 5/28). Army SC made 95-2 in their second innings (Tharindu Dilanka 56*).

Asitha Wanninayake’s 123 off 192 balls (12 fours) coupled with fifties from Hasitha Amarasinghe (57) and Tharindu Harshana (62) saw Bloomfield overhaul Kurunegala YCC’s total of 225 (Dulaj Samuditha 5/54) and reply with 316-9 declared to take first innings points at Welagedara Stadium. Kurunegala YCC made 20-1 in their second innings.

Two matches ended in draws with neither side claiming a first innings win. At Maggona, Badureliya CC made 254-7 (Dimath Abeysinghe 6/105) in reply to BRC’s first innings of 292 (Brian Hansaja 5/88), while at the CCC grounds, CCC replying to Panadura SC’s 339-9 declared (Charya Paranawithana 80, Sasindu Malshan 88, Kavindu Amameth 66) scored 188-3 (Anjala Bandara 83*).

In the match began yesterday at Salawa Army grounds Kosgama, Ragama CC were in deep trouble at 43-5 in reply to Colts’ first innings of 310-7 declared (Hiruna Gallage 78, Hirun Kapurubandara 71, Anurada Ranasinghe 50*).