NCC left agonisingly short of first innings triumph

Nondescripts Cricket Club were left an agonising six runs short of a first innings victory, which would almost certainly insure them the Premier League Trophy, at the close of play on a dramatic second day at Reid Avenue today.

Required to score 247 to claim a vital eight points NCC started confidently as Kumar Sangakkara and RR Tissera added 42 runs for the first wicket. They then lost four wickets for 19 runs - including those of Sangakara, Aravinda de Silva, and Naveed Nawaz - before Hashan Tillakaratne (48) steadied the innings, adding 86 runs for the fifth wicket with TA Weerappuli (44).

At 147 for four they looked to be cruising, but they lost Weerappuli and Tillakaratne in quick succession. Ruwan Kalpage (41) and Malinga Bandara (32) then added 57 runs before NCC lost three wickets in the last hour, including that of Kalpage just minutes before the close. The young Akalanka Ganagama and Amerasinghe are left with a nail biting morning tomorrow.

NCC, however, will draw some comfort from the plight of Burgher Recreation Club, who succumbed to a first innings defeat against Tamil Union. They were bowled out for 217 after finishing off Tamil Union for 314 this morning. Upul Chandana (4-31) and Niroshan Bandaratillake (3-58) took seven wickets between them.

Nevertheless, BRC took two wickets tonight and still have a chance of winning the match. The ball is turning and they have the highest first-class wicket taker of the year in their side. Sajeewa Weerakoon, a left arm spinner, opened the bowling tonight and took both wickets to fall. If NCC slip up then there could be a very tense end to the season.

Elsewhere, Colts Cricket Club are dominating their encounter with Panadura Sports Club. Four wickets from Muthumudalige Pushpakumara, who has a good chance of a national cap this year, hastened the Panadura innings to a close. Requiring 258 for a first innings victory the Colts batsmen powered their way 262 for five, thanks to an 80 by Chaminda Mendis.

Sinhalese Sports Club look likely to beat Bloomfield at the Colombo Cricket Club. After bowling Bloomfield out for just 88, SSC compiled 300 before grabbing the key wicket of Sanath Jayasuriya just before the close.