Rain could be a spoiler for contending clubs

By Sa’adi Thawfeeq

The inclement weather the country is currently experiencing could spoil the chances of clubs vying to finish on top of their respective groups to qualify for the final of the SLC Major League inter-club tournament.

The ninth week of the tournament sees another full card of 12 matches, but how many of them will commence on time today is very doubtful considering the amount of rain that has been experienced over the past couple of days.

Moors SC and Chilaw Marians CC who are trailing behind the two group leaders CCC (Group A) and Tamil Union (Group B) will be keen to get their hands on as many points as possible to bridge the gap that exists between them and the front-runners. At the same time CCC and Tamil Union will also be looking to put as much distance between them and their nearest rivals.

CCC (119.795) lead Group A with a 26.765 points advantage over second placed Moors SC (93.030) who have a game in hand. CCC have a free weekend which gives Moors SC an opportunity to try and reduce the deficit. They travel to Galle to take on eighth placed Galle CC (54.495). Also in the same group are SSC, Colts and Ragama CC, all in with a chance of making it to the top. 

SSC (88.770) play tenth placed Kandy Customs SC (46.990) at Thurstan College grounds, Colts (77.170) travel to the Welagedera Stadium where they take on seventh placed Kurunegala YCC (55.725) and Ragama CC front-up with twelfth placed Kalutara TC (38.575) at Surrey Village grounds, Maggona.

Following back-to-back defeats Tamil Union’s lead over Chilaw Marians has whittled down to 15.04 points from a comfortable 30-plus points at one-time when Army SC were their nearest rivals. Tamil Union won their first six games (four of them outright) but has of late faltered in their performances that has allowed their opponents to close the existing gap. 

Tamil Union (104.500) take on a revitalised Bloomfield side currently placed ninth on 48.835 points at Bloomfield grounds, while Chilaw Marians CC (89.460), the only team other than CCC who are unbeaten meet eighth placed Air Force SC at R Premadasa Stadium.

NCC (86.495) who has moved to third place and trail Tamil Union by 18 points have a free weekend, which gives an opportunity for fourth placed Army SC (81.130) to move ahead when they travel to Welisara to confront bottom of the table Navy SC (36.905).

The other matches commencing today are: Ace Capital CC v Badureliya CC at Dombagoda, BRC v Sebastianites at BRC, Negombo CC v Panadura SC at BOI, Katunayake, Police SC v Lankan CC at Police Park and Saracens SC v Nugegoda SWC at Moors grounds.