NCC retain under-23 Division One title

Chris Dhambarage

NCC retained the SLC under-23 division one title for the second successive year when they defeated their traditional rivals and neighbours SSC on the first innings in the three day final concluded at the SSC ground in Maitland Place yesterday.

SSC who were the runners up in last year’s tournament never looked like challenging their opponent’s mammoth total of 457 runs and were eventually dismissed for 366 runs in their first innings.

SSC of course got off to a good start and reached 209 for 3 at one stage following two superb half centuries from Dimuth Karunaratne and Hans Fernando.

However the SSC middle order failed to consolidate their position despite some determined batting from all rounders Krishal Magage and Chatupama Gunasinghe.

Left arm spinner Roshan Wijenayake was the main destroyer as he finished with a splendid four wicket haul. NCC then batted out the last session to reach 93 for 3 in their second innings with Dinesh Chandimal making amends for his first innings failure.

The champions NCC received a cash award of Rs. 500,000 while the runners up SSC received a cash award of Rs. 300,000.

NCC: 457 and 93 for 3 (D. Chandimal 45, K. Hettihewa 27, S. Fernando 2 for 46).

SSC: 366 (L. Fernando 43, D. Karunaratne 64, H. Fernando 79, R. Kern 36, K. Magage 32, C. Gunasinghe 23, S Ramesh 27 n.o, R. Wijenayake 4 for 78, L. Gamage 2 for 82, P. Priyankara 2 for 82).

CCC champions

A magnificent all round performance from former Sri Lanka under-19 cap Sachith Pathirana helped CCC beat Sri Lanka Navy Sports Club on the first innings in their SLC under-23 division two cricket tournament three day final concluded at the R. Premadasa Stadium yesterday.

Pathirana hit a top score of 80 in their first innings total of 320 and then captured four wickets in the Navy SC second innings. But the chief wrecker was left arm spinner Dilesh Gunaratne who claimed a superb six wicket haul.

The champion CCC team received a cash award of Rs. 250,000 and also earned a promotion to the division one tournament from next year. The runners up Sri Lanka Navy SC received a cash award of Rs. 150,000.

Navy SC: 262 and 159 (D. Wijeweera 55, N. Ranasinghe 26, L. Keerthiratne 28, D. Gunaratne 6 for 48, S. Pathirana 4 for 53).

CCC: 320 (M. Sandaruwan 41, G. de Silva 49, P. Dias 35, S. Pathirana 80, D. Samarakkody 22, J. Vandersay 21 n.o, D. Mendis 3 for 75, M. Gunasinghe 2 for 72, S. Perera 3 for 37) and 81 for 2 (M. Sandaruwan 33, G. de Silva 34, D. Chandana 2 for 12).