SLC Major Limited-Over Inter-club tournament SSC joins Tamil Union, Moors at the top of Group A

Nishan Madushka scored a tournament’s best 165 for Ragama CC

SSC joined defending champions and Moors SC on 15 points at the top of Group A of the SLC Major Limited-Over inter-club tournament while Army SC regained the lead of Group B from CCC in the matches completed yesterday.  

Off-spinner Dinuka Dilshan took his first five-fer in an eight-match one-day career to dismiss a strong SSC unit for 120, but Moors SC tumbled to defeat by 19 runs when they in their turn were bundled out for 101 with former Dharmapala, Pannipitiya left-arm spinner Sasika Dilshan returning figures of 7 for 28 in only his second one-day match.

With this win SSC topped Group A with Tamil Union second and Moors SC third with only the net run rate separating the three clubs.

Army SC recovered from their defeat at the hands of CCC to beat Kandy Customs CC by 103 runs and regain the top spot in Group B. Fifties from Shehan Fernando and Asela Gunaratne saw Army SC score 270-6 and then dismiss Kandy Customs CC for 167 with spinners Suminda Lakshan and Shehada Zoysa taking seven wickets between them.

CCC kept pressure on the Army SC by beating BRC by 17 runs to occupy second spot.

NCC pulled off a three-wicket win with an over to spare despite India’s 40-year-old batsman from Delhi Yashpal Singh making a top score of 84 off 116 balls for Bloomfield.

Another cricketer from India, Gitansh Kera hit an unbeaten 107 off 90 balls (8 fours, 3 sixes) to steer Police SC to a four-wicket win against Sebastianites who failed to defend a target of 216.

A career best bowling of 4 for 35 by left-arm spinner Rohan Sanjaya coupled with an undefeated 69* off 84 balls from opener Sangeeth Cooray saw Colts chase down Kalutara TC total of 149 and win by six wickets.

Last year’s finalist Ragama CC registered their third win from six matches riding on 22-year-old Moratu Vidyalaya wicket-keeper/batsman Nishan Madushka’s maiden one-day century – a tournament’s best 165 off 133 balls (18 fours, 2 sixes). Ragama CC reached 339-6 and dismissed Nugegoda SWC for 183 with seamer Ishan Jayaratne taking five wickets.

Leg-spinner Pulina Tharanga took five wickets to bowl Chilaw Marians CC to a four-wicket win against Panadura SC, while Navy SC beat Air Force SC by 28 runs with former Sri Lanka spinner Sachitra Senanayake taking four wickets and skipper Supun Leelaratne missing out on a century by six runs. Galle CC cruised to an eight-wicket win over Kurunegala YCC. – (ST)