Chilaw Marians Premier League champions

Chris Dhambarage

Chilaw Marians Cricket Club clinched the SLC Premier League title for the first time when they edged out Moors Sports Club on the first innings in their deciding Tier ‘A’ tournament match concluded at Braybrooke Place yesterday.

After dismissing Moors SC for a modest 260 runs Chilaw Marians CC put up a fine batting performance to overcome that total after going through some anxious moments.

Middle order batsman Janaka Gunaratne hit a solid half century from 54 deliveries inclusive of three sixes and five boundaries before Suresh Niroshana and Dinuka Hettiarachchi held their nerves and added the finishing touches under pressure.

Moors SC went on to reach 257 for 9 in their second innings but not before veteran spinner Dinuka Hettiarachchi had captured another five wickets haul to emerge as the highest wicket taker in the tournament.

Moors SC: 260 and 257 for 9 (N. Nawala 19, D. Hunukumbura 24, H. Fernando 18, A. Sandaruwan 36, R. Wickremarachchi 32, I. Udayanga 41, I. Gunasena 44, D. Hettiarachchi 5 for 106, C. Perera 2 for 25)

Chilaw Marians SC: 265 for 7 decl (A. Athulathmudali 45, M. Udawatte 31, M. Siriwardena 24, N. Perera 38, J. Gunaratne 50, L. Weragala 20, S. Niroshan 18 n.o, Y. Gunasena 3 for 41, I. Udayanga 2 for 53)

Baduraliya outplay colts

Baduraliya CC created a major upset when they defeated Colts CC on the first innings in their SLC Premier League Tier ‘A’ tournament match which concluded at Havelock Park yesterday.

Colts CC were dismissed for 294 runs in reply to Baduraliya CC’s first innings total of 372 for 9 with fast bowler Duncan Arnolda returning excellent figures of five wickets for 64.

Baduraliya CC reached 200 for 6 in their second innings with opener Tharindu Attanayake missing out a century by just three runs.

Baduraliya CC: 372 for 9 decl and 200 for 6 (D. Vitharana 18, T. Attanayake 97, S. Wijeratne 50 n.o, J. Kulatunga 2 for 20, S. Weerakoon 2 for 62, D. Pathirana 2 for 19)

Colts CC: 294 (J. Kulatunga 55, D. Pathirana 62, S. Jayasinghe 31, C. Vaas 34, R. Silva 28, K. Elvitigala 50, D. Arnolda 5 for 64, S. Silva 2 for 76, N. Perera 2 for 21)

Saram helps Ragama CC

Leg spinner Malinga Bandara captured seven wickets for 74 as Ragama CC took first innings points over Saracens SC in their SLC Premier League Tier ‘A’ tournament match which concluded at the NCC grounds in Maitland Place yesterday.

This was followed by an unbeaten century from middle order batsman Indika de Saram as Ragama CC reached an impressive 230 for 2 in their second innings.

De Saram hoisted eight sixes and stroked nine boundaries from 94 deliveries while first innings centurion Lahiru Thrimanna remained unbeaten on 74.

Ragama CC: 375 for 7 decl and 230 for 2 (L. Thirimanna 74 n.o, S. de Soysa 26, I. de Saram 119 n.o)

Saracens SC: 231 (G. Alwis 36, R. Rathika 21, E. Gangoda 35, S. Dushantha 77 n.o, R. Wimaladharma 26, M. Bandara 7 for 74)