U-19 stars steal the show in Youth tournament

It was the up and coming youngsters, who are new to club cricket, rather than the known stars, who stole the show in the second week of the U-23 Youth tournament. The appearance of U-19 players, fresh from a two-one test series win against England, made the difference in week two, with many of them continuing their fine form.

"Kaushi" in magnificient performances

U-19 national skipper, Kaushalya Weeraratne, fresh from his successful tour to England, came out with a fine all round performance to guide Colts SC to a first innings win against Moors SC at Moors grounds.

Coming in at number five Weeraratne scored a quick 77 runs in 92 balls, which included eight boundaries and two sixes, to follow his four wickets for 41 runs. Put into Bat first Moors SC were bowled out for 162 runs in 64.2 overs and Colts were 304 for nine in 90 overs with Rangana Herath taking 4 wickets for 78 runs.

Gajanayake century helps Tamil Union beat Marians

Malintha Gajanaike, who was the key behind Sri Lanka U-19 test series against England, continued his form with the bat, scoring a slow century against Chillaw Marians, as Tamil Union took the first innings by 53 runs.

Gajanayake's unbeaten 100 runs came in 209 balls with 14 boundaries as his team accumulated 259 runs for six wickets in reply to Chillaw Marians' 206 runs in 84 overs.

Suresh Perera shines as SSC go down to Negombo CC

Suresh Perera is bowling his way back into fine form this season after his injury problems of the previous year. However his six wickets for 29 runs could not save the Sinhalese Sports Club from a first innings loss to Negombo CC by one wicket at the SSC grounds.

After making 191 runs helped by number nine bat Dilhara Fernando(66), SSC gave away a lot of extras(48) and were unable to contain the Negombo number ten bat Sandun Dias(25*) who guided his team to a one-wicket victory. In the second innings Upeka Fernando excelled in the batting to be unbeaten on 92 runs in 90 balls while Muditha Fernando(58*) were also at the crease at close of play.

Sujeewa and Erandika destroy Galle CC

Sebastianites C & AC bolwers, Umal Erandika and Sujeewa de Silva, shared 15 wickets out of the 17 to tumble in Galle CC's two innings, as their team marked a first innings win at De Soysa Stadium. Erandika bagged nine wickets for 20 runs in the match while De Silva took 25 for five and 38 for one in the two innings. Galle CC were bowled out for 92 runs in the first innings and 110 for eight in the second while Sebastianites scored 242 runs in 80.2 overs.

Chamara excels for Panadura

Chamara Silva(95) guided Panadura SC to a first innings win against Sri Lanka Navy SC in their match at Panadura esplanade. Silva's 95 runs in 140 balls rescued Panadura SC when they were five wickets down for 57. Silva put on 117 runs for the sixth wicket with Dilruwan Perera(79). Panadura SC made 253 in 74.1 overs and bowled the sailors out for 148 in 60.3 overs.

Malinga bags 10 while junior Jayasuriya makes 60.

National cap Malinga Bandara's match bag of 10 for 69 and Ishara Amarasinghe's seven-wicket haul helped NCC beat Antonians SC by 10 wickets at the NCC grounds. Bandara did most of the damage in the second innings claiming 6 for 23 runs in 17 overs and Amarasinghe chipped in with 3 for 29, to follow his 4 for 38 in the first innings.

The Antonians only managed 158 in the first innings and a paltry 82 in their second. NCC declared their first innings at 222 for 7. U-17 Asian Champion team skipper Jehan Jayasuriya scored 60 while Susantha Pradeep made 69. Left with 27 runs to win, the NCC openers finished the match quite comfortably.

Chamara Zoysa's in magnificient all round performances

A fine all round performance by Chamara Zoysa who claimed 8 wickets and made a century for Bloomfield C & AC against Matara SC, which ended in a tame draw at the Bloomfield grounds, was the only bright spot in an otherwise dull match.

His 8 wickets for 59 runs in 22.2 overs including 4 maidens, bamboozled Matara SC, who were bowled out for a mere 197. In reply Bloomfield scored their runs also slowly - their 252 came off in 80 overs. Zoysa was a nightmare for Matara SC, he scored a fine 139 off 217 balls (14 fours.

Boteju and Rashan score centuries

Two fine centuries by Hemantha Boteju for Colombo Cricket Club, and Rashan Pieris for Air Force SC, ensured their respective teams a draw at the Air Force ground.

Electing to bat first, CCC declared their innings at a competitive 300 for 8 in 71 overs. Boteju's 105 came off 135 balls (12 fours and a six) while he was well supported by a slow Damitha Hunukumbura (50) in 125 balls. C. Gamage(4/91) and R. Dissanayake(4/86) bowled well to share all the wickets tumbled.

Air Force replied well, but they too were slow scoring 270 for 8 in 90 overs. Skipper Pieris batted patiently for his 110 in 163 balls, while, Dissanayake(57, excelled in the batting too.