Chilaw Marians a step away from title

Chris Dhambarage

Chilaw Marians CC were just 63 runs away from lifting the SLC Premier League title after they reached 197 for 5 in their first innings on the second day of their deciding Tier 'A' tournament fixture against Moors SC which continued at Braybrooke Place yesterday.

They got off to a flying start with the openers Amal Athulathmudali and Mahela Udawatte putting on 55 runs from 5.5 overs.

In fact the hard hitting Athulathmudali who was promoted in the order hit a 21 ball 45 inclusive of four sixes and the same number of boundaries.

Chilaw Marians CC will need at least first innings points to dislodge the table leaders NCC and to become the first outstation team to clinch the SLC Premier League title.

Moors SC: 260

Chilaw Marians CC: 197 for 5 (A. Athulathmudali 45, M. Udawatte 31, M. Siriwardena 24, N. Perera 38, J.Gunaratne 26 n.o, I. Udayangana 2 for 53)

Sampath 158

Middle order batsman Tillekeratne Sampath hammered a splendid 158 with three sixes and 18 boundaries as Baduraliya CC piled up a commanding 372 for 9 in their first innings on the second day of their SLC Premier League Tier 'A' tournament match against Colts CC which continued at Havelock Park yesterday.

Baduraliya CC: 372 for 9 decl (D. Vitharana 67, U. Tillekeratne 39, Tillekeratne Sampath 158, S. Wijeratne 30, N. Perera 22 n.o, D. Arnolda 19, K. Elvitigala 2 for 116, J. Kulatunga 4 for 13)

Colts CC: 27 for 2 (D. Arnolda 2 for 11)

Thirimanna a ton

Dashing opener Lahiru Thirimanna hit a magnificent 144 with two sixes and 15 boundaries as Ragama CC hit up an impressive 375 for 7 in their first innings on the second day of their SLC Premier League Tier 'A' tournament match against Saracens SC which continued at the NCC grounds in Maitland Place.

Ragama CC: 375 for 7 decl. (L. Thirimanna 144, S. de Zoysa 86, I. de Saram 23, K. Weeraratne 78, U. Warna 2 for 68, R. Wimaladharma 4 for 161)

Saracens SC: 22 for 1