NCC brought down to earth by Chilaw Marians CC

NCC, who were so dominant in their opening fixture thrashing the daylights out of Tamil Union to win by a massive 228-run margin, were brought down to earth by Chilaw Marians CC who beat them by 29 runs in a Group A match of the SLC Major Clubs Limited Over Tournament played at the NCC Grounds yesterday.

NCC did well to dismiss Chilaw Marians CC for 172 in 45.2 overs with Lasith Embuldeniya (3/40), Lahiru Kumara (3/13), and Chamika Karunaratne (2/30) amongst the wickets. The only form of resistance came from former Piliyandala Central cricketer Chamod Sandaru (66 off 86 balls, 4 fours, 2 sixes) who added a valuable 80 for the eighth wicket with Heshan Hettiarachchi (17) to lift Chilaw Marians CC from a hopeless 85-7 to their final total.

With as many as eight national players on their side, NCC failed to find any momentum in their innings and folded up tamely for 143 in 34 overs. Sandaru followed his contribution with the bat by taking 4/34 with his off-breaks. Sahan Arachchige was NCC’s top scorer with 35.

The tournament continues tomorrow (Sunday) with a card of eight matches – Panadura SC v SSC at Panadura, Tamil Union v Ace Capital CC at P. Sara Oval, Negombo CC v Chilaw Marians CC at Katunayake, NCC v Bloomfield at NCC, Colts v BRC at Dombagoda, Kurunegala YCC v Kandy Customs CC at Kurunegala, Badureliya CC v Nugegoda SWC at Maggona, and Moors SC v CCC at Bloomfield.