Here’s a brief look into a few matches which concluded today in the SLC Tier B Premier League Tournament.

SL Air Force VS Police SC

A nail biter between these two sides ended with a thrilling one wicket victory for the Cops against Air Force SC. Airmen resumed play with 5 for 1. They failed to make big partnerships to pose any threat to their opponents as Manjula Jayawardane made life hard at the crease for the batsmen. Air Force could only make 142 all out for their second innings which gave Police a target of 127 runs to get in their second innings.

Manjula bagged 7 wickets for the Cops to go with his 4 wickets in the first innings. With the bat for the Airmen, Former Josephian Captain Roscoe Thattil made a valuable contribution of 66.  

Police got off to a good start in the chase but they lost their way in the middle as wickets started to tumble. They were struggling at 73 for 6 when Suwanji Madanayake got to the crease and scored a vital knock of 27. However, Airforce bounced back with wickets and Police lost 9 wickets for 117. The last pair somehow battled their way over the line to give their team a thrilling one wicket victory.

Early on, Air Force were cleaned up 168 in 76.2 overs. Manjula Jayawardane ended with top figures of 4 for 47 for the Cops. Buddika Sandaruwan was the top scorer for Air Force with 43 runs. In reply Police made 184 with a brilliant 82 by Samith Dushantha.

Air Force SC – 168 (76.2) Rosco Thattil 38, Buddhika Sandaruwan 43, Manjula Jayawardena 4/47, Palitha Kumara 2/15 & 142 (45.1) Roscoe Thattil 66, Manjula Jayawardene 7/59

Police SC – 184 (87.1) Samith Dushantha 82, Shohan Rangika 3/36, Achira Eranga 2/35 & 128/9 (53.5) Tharindu Dilshan 32, Suwanji Madanayaka 27, Akila Lakshan 26


Panadura SC vs Navy SC

Despite batting heroics from Ashan Ranasinghe and Buddika Hasaranga, Navy succumbed to 99 run defeat against the title favourites Panadura SC at Panadura. Navy was in big trouble at stumps on day 2 after losing 2 wickets for just 10 runs. Yohan Soyza and Ashan Ranasinghe put up 50 runs for the 3rd wicket. Soyza scored 33 while Ashan carried on to make 57 for his side. Buddika and Ashan also added 47 runs together. Buddika carried on to make 76.

There were a few cameos by the tail enders but it proved not enough as they were cleaned up for 332, 99 runs short of the given target. The hero of the match was none other than Gayan Sirisoma. His figures stood at 13 wickets for 198 in 63.3 overs. Another match winning performance by the veteran.

Early on, Panadura made 268 for their first innings. Mishen Silva and Chamara Silva scored half centuries for Panadura. Navy were cleaned up for just 125 with Gayan Sirisoma taking 8 wickets. Panadura added 288 to the deficit which gave Navy a target of 432 to get in their second innings.

Panadura SC – 268 (54.2) Chamara Silva 72, Mishen Silva 70, Ishan Abeysekara 3/76 & 288/8d (66) Mishen Silva 57, Aruna Dharmasena 50, Lasith Fernando 45, Madura Madushanka 3/46

Navy SC 125 – (47.3) Dinushka Malan 56, Sameera Sandamal 34, Gayan Sirisoma 8/46 & 332 (90.1) Buddika Hasaranga 76, Ashan Ranasinghe 56, Amith Eranda 38, Gayan Sirisoma 5/152


Lankan CC vs Kurunegala SC

Kurunegala only lasted 22 overs on the third day as Lankan CC registered a convincing victory by an innings and 79 runs at Kurunegala. The home side were crumbling at stumps with 23 for 3 and it did not get any easier in the morning for them. Captain Rajeewa Weerasinghe bowled a splendid spell taking 6 wickets to go with his 3-for in the first innings. Kurunegala were cleaned up for just 90 with Hashan Prabath stranded on the crease for unbeaten 42.

Early on, Lankans made 422 with a century by Chanaka Ruwansiri and half centuries from Lakshan Rodrigo, Lal Kumar and Rajeewa Weerasinghe. In reply Kurunegala were bowled out for 253 with Rajeewa Weerasinghe taking 4 wickets for the Lankans.

Lankan CC – 422 (89.2) Chanaka Ruwansiri 100, Lakshan Rodrigo 91, Lal Kumar 86, Rajeewa Weerasinghe 51, Mithun Jayawickrama 3/103, Chirath Mapatuna 2/50

Kurunegala YCC – 253 (79.1) Hashan Prabath 76, Anurudda Rajapakse 40, Chanaka Ruwansiri 4/59, Rajeewa Weerasinghe 3/62, Naveen Kavikara 3/81 & F/O 90 (38.1) Hashan Prabath 42*, Rajeewa Weerasinghe 6/42, Naveen Kavikara 3/46.


Kalutara PCC vs SL Ports Authority

Despite a fighting century by by Pathum Nissanka, Kalutara PCC were handsomely defeated by an innings and 78 runs in their match against SL Ports Authority CC at Mattegoda. Kalutara resumed play in with 173 runs on board for 3 wickets. Deshapriya and Pathum added 28 more runs before Deshapriya lost his wicket for a well-made 53. Pathum converted the overnight score of 83 to a fighting 104 off 178 balls. After his wicket Charith Komasaru cleaned up the tail with ease claiming 6 wickets to go with 5 in the first innings. Kalutara were bowled out for 273 in 87.1 overs.

Early on, Kalutara were bowled out 49 with Charith Komasaru taking 5 wickets for Ports Authority. In reply, Ports made 400 for 7 declared for their first innings. Ishan Ranagana scored a brilliant 109 while Prashan Wickramasinghe and Hashan Gunthilake cracked half centuries.

Kalutara PCC – 49 (22.2) Chanaka Komasaru 5/17, Chamikara Edirisinghe 4/08 & 273 (87.1) Pathum Nissanka 104, Manoj Deshapriya 53, Damidu Ashan 41, Charith Komasaru 6/54, Chamikara Edirisinghe 3/70

SLPA – 400/7d (93) Ishan Rangana 109, Prashan Wickramasinghe 80, Hashan Gunathilake 67, Ranesh Perera 31*, Chamikara Edirisinghe 23*, Dilshan Mendis 2/70