CCC thrash Sebs, Tamil Union drop points again

By Sa’adi Thawfeeq

Sachithra Perera took nine wickets to spur Kandy Customs CC to a nine-wicket win

Grand all-round performance by Nimesh Vimukthi (107 and 10 wickets) gave Panadura SC a win

Defending champions CCC gave a compelling performance to thrash Sebastianites by an innings and 254 runs and consolidate their position at the top of Group A in the ongoing SLC Major inter-club match concluded at CCC grounds yesterday.

Trailing CCC by a massive 330 runs in the first innings Sebastianites crumbled in their second innings for 76 to hand out a comfortable win. Left-arm spinner Sonal Dinusha was the main destroyer with match figures of 9 for 69. Pacies Asitha Fernando and Chamindu Wijesinghe chipped in with five wickets between them.

Spinners Sachitra Perera (match bag of 9/90) and Imesh Udayanga (6/82) took 15 wickets to give Kandy Customs CC a nine-wicket win over Kalutara TC at Dombagoda. Kalutara TC were all out for 181 in their second innings leaving Kandy Customs 59 runs to chase for victory which they achieved with ease. Madhawa Nimesh’s career best 91 (7 fours, 2 fours) proved a vain effort for Kalutara TC.

Spinners were once again to the fore in carving out a win for Panadura SC over Navy SC by an innings and 90 runs at Welisara. Navy SC were dismissed for 219 and following on, for 124 with Nimesh Vimukthi (match bag of 10/126 and 107) and Koshan Danuska (9/109) running through the sailors batting. Panadura SC made 433.

Moors SC pulled off a creditable seven-wicket win against BRC at Moors SC grounds. Match winners for Moors SC were their captain and national cap Ramesh Mendis (119 and match bag of 7 wickets) and left-arm spinner Chanuka Dilshan (match bag of 7/115).

Army SC had the better of exchanges against Group B table leaders Tamil Union which ended in a draw at the P. Sara Oval. Having gained a slender first innings lead of 12, Army SC batsmen made merry in the second innings romping to 338-8 decl. courtesy a maiden first-class hundred from their wicket-keeper Mahesh Kumara (109* off 208 balls, 11 fours) and 50s from Ashan Randika 51 (5 fours, 3 sixes) and Pathum Boteju 61 (8 fours).

National poolist Shiran Fernando bowled his heart out for Tamil Union for match figures of 8 for 162. Left with an improbable 351 to chase Tamil Union ended up scoring 208-5.

Kurunegala YCC gained first innings points from Galle CC in their drawn match at Galle. Replying to Galle CC’s first innings of 239, Kurunegala YCC declared at 411-9 with Sanoj Dharshika scoring his maiden first-class century – 142 off 238 balls, 15 fours, 4 sixes. Raghu Sharma, Galle CC’s leg-spinner from Punjab took 7/140. Galle CC in their second innings scored 336-5 with Vinura Dulsara striking 15 fours in his 102 off 169 balls.

Former Sri Lanka captain Angelo Mathews marked his return to first-class cricket with 61 (9 fours) but it was not enough to prevent Colts from being forced to follow-on against SSC at SSC grounds which ended in a draw.

Replying to SSC’s first innings of 444-9 decl., Colts were bowled out for 274 with fast bowler Nisala Tharaka taking five wickets. Following-on Colts spurred on by an opening stand of 174 between Hashan Duminda 78 (7 fours) and skipper Sangeeth Cooray 100* off 141 balls (11 fours, 1 six) made 186-1.

Ragama CC took first innings points from Lankan CC in their drawn game at Thurstan Road. Lankan CC were dismissed for 265 in reply to Ragama CC’s 499-9 decl. Following-on Lankan CC scored 165 for no loss with Kasun Abeyratne making 101* off 109 balls (11 fours, 1 six) and Deshan Dias 55 (3 fours).

Negombo CC (241) gained a narrow six-run first innings win over Saracens SC (235) at BRC grounds. In Saracens SC’s second innings of 246-8 decl., former national cricketer Milinda Siriwardana completed his 16th first-class century – 110 off 160 balls (14 fours, 1 six).

In a high scoring drawn game at Maggona, Chilaw Marians CC maintained their unbeaten record with a first innings win over Badureliya SC. In reply to Badureliya SC’s total of 432, Chilaw Marians CC rode on Anuj Jotin’s second century of the season (121 off 213 balls, 16 fours) and fifties from Swapnil Gugale (67), Kasun Vidura (81) and Raveen Yasas (52) to score 441-7.

Nugegoda SWC held on to force a draw at the NCC grounds depriving NCC of an outright win. Sandun Weerakkody’s 10th first-class century (165 off 161 balls, 8 fours, 10 sixes) saw NCC pile up 489. Nugegoda made 371 and 204-8 with Sri Lanka Test spinner Lasith Embuldeniya picking up a five-fer.  

In a thrilling run chase at Bloomfield grounds, Bloomfield (232) after conceding a first innings lead to Air Force SC (273) pulled off a four wickets win. Needing to score 227 off 33 overs, Bloomfield arrived there with two balls to spare.