Colts tighten grip on Premier League final

Colts Cricket Club tightened their grip on the Premier League championship trophy on Saturday, first building an imposing lead and then chiseling out vital second innings wickets in afternoon, to leave Sinhalese Sports Club apparently on the brink of defeat.

With two days still to spare, SSC's hopes rest firmly in the hands of Mahela Jaywardene, who was once again in prime form during the evening, left on 32 not out at the close, having hit two fours and a six.

SSC finished the day on 96 for four, still trailing by 99 runs after Colts had extended their overnight score of 183 for three to 411 after further half centuries from Jevantha Kulatunga (50 from 70 balls) and Muthumudalige Pushpakumara (81 from 97 balls).

It's turning out to be a fine all-round performance from Pushpakumara, who picked up four wickets in the first innings, and his omission from the A team squad to Namibia, despite the presence of another off-spinning all-rounder as captain - Thilan Samaraweera - is surprising.

In the morning, Kaushalya Weeraratne fell early on but Romesh Kaluwitharana continued in the same breezy fashion to the previous night, quickly moving to 72 before feathering a catch to the wicket-keeper.

Chaminda Vaas scored just 12 before being dismissed by Nuwan Zoysa, his fellow new ball partner in the national side, and SSC looked to be inching their way back into the game (255 for six).

But Pushpakumara and Kulatunga added 79 for the sixth wicket and then, when Kulatunga was dismissed moments after reaching his fifty, Pushpakumara added a further 59 with Eric Upashantha, who celebrated his recall to the one-day squad with a stubborn 27 from 54 balls.

SSC were soon in trouble when starting their second innings, sliding to 38 for four before being rescued by Jayawardene - a now familiar tale - and Thilan Samaraweera, who was left unbeaten on 23 at the close.

Avishka Gunawardene (4) continued his poor form, edging a catch behind in the third over, and WSMM Perera followed four overs later as Vaas grabbed his second wicket. Dulip Liyanage also chipped in, accounting for Marvan Atapattu (17) and NT Paranavitana for a second ball duck.