Favourites CCC and Sebastianites make promising starts

Favourites Colombo Cricket Club (CCC) made a promising start to the under 23 tournament when they convincingly beat Colts Cricket Club (Colts) by an innings and 97 runs at the Colts cricket grounds.

Put into bat first, CCC's top order batsmen showed brilliant form piling up 300 runs with only four wickets down in 79 overs. At the declaration, R Fernando (36 n.o.) and Hemantha Boteju (88n.o.) had added 122 runs for the fourth wicket. Boteju's 88 runs came in 75 balls with four boundaries and three sixes. Opener DK Ranaweera (62) gave a good start to the innings while number three bat Michael Vandort (65) joined Ranaweera in a 107-run stand for the second wicket.

Bowling 10 overs before close on the first day, CCC had one scalp when A Ratnayake (1/33) removed Sisira Kumara (8) in the ninth over when the score was at 23. Colts finished the day at 24 for one.

Ratnayake launched his attack the next morning to take four more wickets.He was well supported by Nisitha Rupasinghe (4/8) as they restricted the Colts innings to 124 in 56.4 overs. Forced to follow on, Colts had a nightmarish second innings when they were bowled out for just 79 runs in 23.4 overs with 19 wickets falling on day two. Boteju (4/17) was the destroyer this time, with Rupasinghe (3/32) playing the support role again.

Sebastanites C & AC v Police SC at De Soysa Stadium

The other strong side in the tournament Sebastianites launched their bid in the first game by registering an innings and 29 runs win against Police SC. Given first lease of the wicket, Sebastiatnites made 259 runs for eight wickets in 70 overs with opener D Peiris (79) giving a good start. Their innings was helped by Laknath Fernando (46) and H Fernando (51). N Wickramasinghe (2/67), N Ariyaratne (2/72) and S Wijeratne (2/42) shared the bulk of the bowling.

In reply, Police were all out for 108 in 43 overs. Only number nine bat M Kolinda (22) and W Silva (12) reached double figures. Pacemen Dinusha Fernando(7/25) and S De Silva(3/27) shared the wickets.

Forced to follow on, Police made 122 in 38.1 overs, but failed to avoid an innings defeat. T Abeyratne (54) made a fighting knock while S Wijeratne (21) was the other notable run-getter for Police. S De Silva (8/41) continued his good bowling to bag 11 wickets in the match.

Bloomfield C & AC v Kurunegala YCC at Bloomfield Grounds

Electing to bat first, Bloomfield could make only 191 runs in 67 overs. Chaminda Ruwan (64) played a fighting innings which included six boundaries and two sixes. I Dharmawardena (3/31) bowled well for Kurunegala while B Ellepola (2/25) and D Gunathilake (2/76) shared four wickets.

Kurunegala resuming at the overnight score of 52 for two in 21 overs, succumbed to the bowling of Kelum Gangodawila (7/60) who claimed wickets at regular intervals to end their innings at 196 runs in 90.2 overs. However, the visitors won on the first innings after scoring 196 in 90.3 overs.

At close of play on day two, Bloomfield were 64 for one.

Nondescript CC v Burgher RC at NCC Grounds

Given the first lease of the wicket BRC's innings was reduced to 190 runs in 77.5 overs by fine leg-break bowling by former Sri Lanka Test cap Malinga Bandara (7/76). Only Malintha Warnapura (83) resisted the attack while wickets fell at regular intervals. Ishara Amarasinghe (2/60) and MI Abdeen (1/26) were the other wicket takers.

In reply, NCC were bowled out for 183 runs in 97.3 overs conceding a seven-run first innings victory for BRC. Resuming at 25 for one, NCC batsmen fell to a mixed BRC bowling attack led by Gehan Lankatillake (4/34) and Sajeewa Weerakoon (3/51). Only youngster Ishan Muthalip (44) stayed at the crease while skipper Kumar Sangakkara (25) and Dilshan Rupasinghe (26) were the other run getters.

Tamil Union C & AC v Antonians SC at P Sara Stadium

Defending champions Tamil Union was taught a hard lesson by young Antonians SC when they beat them by two wickets in a close finish. Antonians choosing to bat first were bowled out for 121 runs in 49.1 overs. Dilhara Lokuhettige (30) was the top scorer for Antonians while M Alwis (20) and J Wanakumbura (19) were the other notable scorers. S Perera (3/17) and C Fernando (3/29) led the bowling attack for Tamil Union.

In reply, the home side was reduced to 106 runs 39. 3 overs with Lokuhettige (5/26) excelling in the bowling too. Tamil Unions' runs came from R Sureshchardra (31) and Indika Konara (43).

In the second innings, Antonians were bowled out for a mere 63 runs with Perera (6/14) being the destroyer. Opener Lahiru Chaturanga (32) scored half the total, while Jithendra Perera (18) was unbeaten launching a solitary fight.

However, Tamil Union failed to make the necessary 79 runs for victory falling just two runs away from it.

Singhalese SC v Galle CC at SSC Grounds

Put into bat, SSC made 199 runs in 53.3 overs with Suresh Perera (62) top scoring while Shantha Kalawitagoda (26) and M Fernando (36) made valuable contributions. Visira Perera (4/77) bowled best with the support of N Pradeep (2/28) and R Pradeep Kumara (2/29).

In reply, Galle CC was reduced to 121 runs in 57.2 overs. Only Nadun Nanayakkara (26*) resisted the SSC bowling while the others soon went back to pavilion. Ishara Ratnaweera (4/31) did the most of the damage while he was supported by Perera (2/10), Dilhara Fernando (2/40) and Dharshana Gamage (2/19).

In the second innings, SSC declared their innings at 103 for four in 22.5 overs setting a victory target of 182 runs for the visitors. At close of play, Galle CC was 125 with six wickets down in 40.1 overs. R Karunasekara (58) was unbeaten while no other batsmen showed signs of going for the winning mark.

Matara SC v Panadura SC at Uyanwatte Stadium

Given the first lease of the Uyanwatte wicket, Matara SC could make only 161 in 67.2 overs thanks to a 96-run stand between K Rohana (41) and SW Sameera (43) for the seventh wicket. Amila Perera (3/21) was the most successful bowler for Panadura SC while Janitha Hewawasam (3/22) chipped in with the equal number of wickets.

In reply, Panadura scored 164 runs in 74.5 overs, to take the better of Matara in the first innings. Their innings was boosted by D Perera (42), P Wickrama (44 n.o.) while R Wimalasena (21) made valuable contributions. In the bowling, T Baduge (3/45) and N Wickramasinghe (4/25) shared most of the wickets.

At close of play, Matara SC were 119 for two wickets in their second innings.

Moors SC v Singha SC at Moors Grounds

Singha SC was bowled out for a mere 203 in their first innings with M Kumara top scoring (68) with 12 boundaries and N. Thenuwara (28) and D. Niroshan (25) also chipping in with useful scores. S. Moratota was the pick of the bowlers with three wickets. J. Perera and R. Herath chipped in with two wickets apiece.

Moors S.C. in reply scored a massive 304 all out with the help of a fine century by N. Cooray (127). He was supported well by M. Palihakkara (57) and D. Vitharana (37). O. Siriwardene and C. Kumara took seven wickets between them while I. Dilshan took two.

Singha S.C. in their second innings struggled further. They were bowled out for 145. Only N. Nalaka (39) and N. Thenuwara (33) reached the 30 mark. R. Herath ran through the innings picking up four wickets.

Moors S.C. scored the required 44 runs with ease, losing the wicket of D. Vitharana to win by nine wickets.