Melwire Rolling upset Central Finance

Melwire Rolling scored an upset two-wicket win over last year’s runners-up Central Finance at the first CBL-Munchee Trophy MCA ‘D’ Division 40-Over League Tournament, which commenced on 7 and 8 December.

Central Finance, who were sent into bat, failed to cope with the varied attack of M.S. Kumar (3-6-2), Isuru Jayaranga (3.2-14-2) and Dumindu Maduranga (6-1-16-2) and were shot out for a paltry 97 runs in 28.2 overs.

While chasing 98 runs in 40 overs, Melwire Rolling did not have things their own way, as Central Finance fought tooth and nail through the experienced Vikum Costa (8-28-4) and Chanaka Jayanetti (8-1-22-3) to earn a sniff at victory, with the scoreboard reading 84 for 8. However, Melwire Rolling’s ninth pairing of Achira Eranga (18 not out) and N. Ekanayake (2 not out) refused to roll over with a stubborn 16-run stand to earn them a heart-stopping victory. 

The other two winners were Hirdaramani Group, who beat newcomers Mode Engineering by two wickets and Ansell Lanka, who beat NDB Bank by 15 runs on DLS. The match between Colombo Dockyard and Nawaloka Hospitals was called off due to rain. Sahan Harshana from Ansell Lanka was the weekend’s top-scorer, making a well-compiled 80 not out against NDB. The tournament will continue on 14 and 15 December with a card of six matches.

Opening weekend’s match results (four matches) 

At D.S. Senanayake: Colombo Dockyard vs. Nawaloka Hospitals – no result; Nawaloka Hospital was 171 for 6 in 31.3 when rain halted play (H. Suraj 55, O. Illamperuma 3/24)

At Panagoda: Hirdaramani beat Mode Engineering by two wickets. 

Mode Engineering – 138 (19.5) (Chandra Mohan 38, G. Gimhana 4/27, Mohamed Saharan 3/37)

Hirdaramani – 140/8 (25.5) (Mohamed Saharan 28 not out, D. Thiranjeeva 26, A. Kularatne 3/28)

At Mattegoda: Ansell Lanka beat NDB Bank by 15 runs on the DLS method. 

Ansell – 220/6 (40) (Sahan Harshana 80 not out, P. Dhananjaya 26 not out, K. Maduranga 25, R. Maduranga 3/39)

NDB – 72 for 3 in 17 overs when rain halted play (the DLS par score was 87 runs) (R. Chandula 40 not out)

At Kotahena: Melwire Rolling beat Central Finance by two wickets

CF – 97 (28.2) (MS Kumar 2/06, I. Jayaranga 2/14, D. Maduranga 2/16)

MR – 100/8 (36.1) (A. Eranga 18, V. Costa 4/28, C. Jayanetti 3/22)