SLC Major Club Youth Under-23 cricket tournament seven matches for the weekend

• Opportunity for other teams to catch up with the leaders

By Sa’adi Thawfeeq

The matches scheduled in the SLC Major Club Youth Under-23 cricket tournament for today and tomorrow gives an opportunity for other teams in the groups to try and catch up with the respective group leaders as all four of them have a free weekend.

In the only match down for decision today Lankan CC gets another opportunity to head Group B if they can beat Ragama CC at the Surrey grounds, Maggona with a bonus point. That would draw them level on 10 points with current Group B leaders Chilaw Marians CC and the net run rate will decide who will head the group. 

On Wednesday, Lankan CC missed out on a golden opportunity of doing so when they faltered against Air Force SC and lost the contest by four wickets under the D/L rain rule. They began the tournament in outstanding fashion beating the current group leaders and last year’s runner-up Chilaw Marians, but have failed to maintain the momentum.

On Sunday, Badureliya CC and BRC have the chance of narrowing the points gap against Group A table toppers Army SC if they can pull off wins with bonus points. Army who are unbeaten so far having won all four matches lead the group with 19 points, but Badureliya CC with a game in hand can draw level with Army if they can beat Sebastianites.

BRC who are lying third with 10 points can also narrow the gap if they can overcome wooden spoonists Navy SC who have lost all four of their matches played so far.   

Tamil Union and CCC from Group D will also be weighing their chances of catching up with leaders SSC who are without a game for the weekend. Tamil Union who lost to SSC in the run for the group leaders berth have a chance to redeem themselves when they host Bloomfield at the P. Sara Oval. If they can pull off a win with a bonus point they will draw level on 19 points with SSC.

On the other hand CCC are at a more advantageous position as they have a game in hand. They host Kandy Customs CC who are without a win in the tournament so far and if they can win with a bonus point they will cut down the points deficit against SSC to just four.   

Overall there are six matches down for decision tomorrow.   



NCC lost a good opportunity to head the Group C table when their match against Sri Lanka Ports Authority SC was abandoned without a ball bowled at Maitland Place yesterday. Both teams shared four points and the two points NCC collected saw them retain second spot with 12 points behind defending champions Colts who head the group with 14 points.