SSC-NCC clash in Under-23 final

Chris Dhambarage

Traditional rivals SSC and NCC set up a final showdown in the SLC under 23 division one cricket tournament by winning their respective three day semi-final matches in Colombo yesterday.

NCC put up a fine performance to beat BRC on the first innings in their rain curtailed semi-final match concluded at the CCC ground in Maitland Crescent.

After the entire opening day’s play was washed out due to bad weather NCC managed to post a challenging first innings total of 293 runs.

In reply BRC never looked like overtaking that total despite a fighting half century from middle order batsman Andy Solomons. Paceman Roshan Wijenayake was the chief destroyer with a superb four wicket haul to his credit.

In addition all rounder Eranga Gangoda followed up his first innings top score of 84 by claiming three wickets for 21 as BRC were skittled out for a modest 162 runs in their first innings.

The Havelock Park team were forced to follow on and struggled to reach 201 for 7 in their second innings.

NCC: 293

BRC: 162 (A. Solomons 56, R. Perera 21, R. Wijenayake 4 for 56, E, Gangoda 3 for 21, R. Laksiri 2 for 41) and 201 for 7 (R. Gayashan 49, A. Solomons 45, A. Rabel 41, D. Perera 30, E. Gangoda 2 for 37, R. Laksiri 2 for 44).

Easy for SSC

Meanwhile SSC powered their way to a convincing first innings victory over Ragama CC in their rain affected three day semi-final match concluded at the Colts CC ground in Havelock Park yesterday.

SSC did well to defend their first innings total of 284 runs by dismissing their opponents for 146 with two fast bowlers Chatupama Gunasinghe and Kushen Manohara capturing four wickets each.

SSC then decided to have some good batting practice as they reached 214 for 6 in their second innings. The first innings hero Krishal Magage again made a fine impact scoring an unbeaten half century to complete twin fifties.

The final between SSC and NCC will be worked off this weekend at the SSC ground in Maitland Place.

SSC: 284 (D. Karunaratne 21, U. Wijesiri 19, H. Fernando 48, S. Karunanayake 37, K. Magage 75 n.o, S. Fernando 28, M. Ekanayake 2 for 75, H. de Silva 2 for 43) and 214 for 6 (S. Karunanayake 65, K. Magage 53 n.o, H. de Silva 2 for 48).

Ragama CC: 146 (G. Dilruk 51, C. Gunasinghe 4 for 46, K. Manohara 4 for 37).

Air Force triumph

Sri Lanka Air Force Sports Club defeated Lankan CC by 22 runs in their SLC Premier limited overs cricket tournament match worked off at Rifle Green yesterday.

Air Force SC: 189 in 44.3 overs (A. Eranga 42, C. Gamage 35, S. Kandanarachchi 21, D. Perera 3 for 32, T. Abeyratne 2 for 27).

Lankan CC: 167 in 41.2 overs (H. Boteju 43, A. de Saram 28, C. Gamage 2 for 49, A. Esanka 2 for 33, H. de Silva 2 for 18).