Ace Capital CC jolt defending champions SSC

Thanuka Dabare and Pawantha Weerasinghe, the architects of Ace Capital CC's win over SSC 

SLC Major Clubs Limited Over Tournament

Ace Capital CC caused the first major upset in the ongoing SLC Major Clubs Limited Over tournament when they pulled off a shock five-wicket win over defending champion SSC in their match played at Dombagoda yesterday.

SSC playing their first match, with five Sri Lankan cricketers in their side were bundled out for 157 in 42.3 overs after choosing to bat first. Test opener Dimuth Karunaratne batting at number four top scored with a patient 79 off 107 balls (4 fours, 1 six) but no one else made more than 19. The damage to the SSC batting was done by spinners Thanuka Dabare (3/31), Sammu Ashan (2/31) and Raveen de Silva (1/8). SSC struck back through seamer Pramod Madushan who took two early wickets to reduce Ace Capital CC to 29-3 in seven overs. However, Pawantha Weerasinghe (79* off 102 balls, 4 fours, 3 sixes) and Sammu Ashan (39 off 77 balls, 2 fours) put together a partnership of 85 to see their team home in the 39th over. Ace Capital CC with their second successive win top Group A.

Colts turning up for the first time won their match against Kurunegala YCC at the Welagedara Stadium by four wickets with 20 overs to spare. Kurunegala YCC batting first were restricted to a score of 178-8 with Rashmika Madushanka making a top score of 42. Colts run chase was spearheaded by Sri Lanka Test batsman Dinesh Chandimal (45 off 42 balls, 5 fours, 1 six) and Ravindu Rasantha (57 off 61 balls, 5 fours, 2 sixes) who added 66 for the fourth wicket. Despite losing three wickets cheaply for five runs there was no denying Colts the win.

Tamil Union bounced back from their 228-run thumping defeat by NCC to beat Negombo CC by 45 runs at BOI Katunayake. In a match reduced to 37 overs, Tamil Union put into bat first were all out for 184 with Sandun Weerakkody, Mohammed Shamaz and Sithara Hapuhinna contributing 30s apiece. Negombo CC’s batting was destroyed for 139 by spinners Theesan Vithushan (3/22), Tharindu Ratnayake (3/33) and Miranga Wickramage (2/32).

Badureliya CC was at the receiving end to Kandy Customs CC to whom they lost a tightly contested game by two wickets at Maggona. Badureliya CC’s batting collapsed for 141 against former Thomian right-arm fast bowler Usman Ishak who took 4/16. They lost half the side for 17, before Sasanka Nirmal (45), Dunith Jayatunga (25) and Ranesh Silva (31) helped to raise the total. Badureliya CC fought hard to contain the Kandy Customs CC batting but found the target too small to defend.

Janishka Perera (97 off 138 balls, 3 fours, 1 six) and Pasindu Sooriyabandara (75 off 83 balls, 6 fours, 1 six) struck fifties to help Moors SC beat Nugegoda SWC (178/8) by 51 runs at Moratuwa. Milan Ratnayake took three wickets for Moors SC and Kevin Perera top scored for Nugegoda SWC with 58*.

CCC retained their top position in Group B with a resounding 66-run win over Police SC at the P Sara Oval. In a 34-overs-a-side game CCC made 196 with Ashan Priyanjan scoring 47 off 27 balls (2 fours, 4 sixes) and Charuka Pramod and Damith Kappagoda capturing three wickets each. Police SC succumbed to 130 to the spin of left-armer Chaturanga de Silva (4/26).

Bloomfield pulled off a 14-run win over Ragama CC at Bloomfield grounds. Lahiru Madushanka (66 off 47 balls, 4 fours, 6 sixes) and Sachitha Jayatilake (41* off 27 balls, 1 four, 2 sixes) helped lift Bloomfield from 47-4 to 218-6. Ragama CC in their reply slumped to 34-5 before Ravindu Sembukutty (68* off 58 balls, 6 fours, 3 sixes) and Pulina Tharanga (69 off 41 balls, 1 four, 7 sixes) revived hopes with a stand of 116. But Isitha Wijesundara with two late wickets and a run out kept the Ragama CC batting in check so that they ended 14 short at 204-9. Today NCC plays Chilaw Marians CC at the NCC. – (ST)