Bloomfield SC secure 80 run victory but fail to qualify

Bloomfield SC beat Antonians by 80 runs in a Duckworth Lewis affected match. However, the win was not enough to secure a place in the semi finals as both Tamil Union and SSC won their games.

Antonians, initially chasing a victory target of 220, after the encounter was reduced to 42 overs due to delay start, had their target revised to 203 from 34 overs, after rain interrupted in the 8th over of their run chase.

Pacemen Darshana Gamage(2/22) and Hemantha Alles(2/24) took early wickets before Duminda Perera(3/39) struck twice to leave them on 41 for six and squash any lingering hopes of victory. They eventually finished on 123 for 9 from 34 overs.

Only Charles Silva (26) and Chandana Samarasighe(38)scored runs for Antonians.

Bloomfield SC, who batted first, suffered an early shock when both their openers, Chaminda Ruwan(08) and Pubudu Dassanayake(11), were dismissed early on to leave Bloomfield on 36 for two.

Thereafter, Sajeeka Abeynaike(73)and skipper, Kumara Dharmasena(34), rescued the innings with a 102 run partnership for the third wicket. With some quick runs from the tail and 27 extras they finished on 219.

Reflecting on the tournament Kumar Dharmasena said: "We had a set back at the start of the tournament, but we managed to recover and improvee as the tournament progressed."

Bloomfield's new coach, Oshadi Weerasinghe, was impressed with the performance of Dharmasena: "The leadership of Kumara Dharmasena has really encouraged the others in the team and I am surprised that his all round performances this season have not been rewarded."