CCC and Bloomfield have already secured first innings points on the opening day of their Under23 Inter-Club two-day tournament matches yesterday.
Choosing to bat first at the CCC grounds, Chilaw Marians CC were bundled out for 90 – their batsmen falling foul to the spin of Inuka Karannagoda (3/17) and Thisaru Wanninayake (3/15). Yasiru Lakshan top scored with 31. CCC in reply ended the day on 179-7 gaining a lead of 89. Karannagoda displayed his prowess as an all-rounder by scoring a polished 62* off 96 balls (6 fours) which saw CCC recover from 67-4. Left-arm spinner Thimira Irushika captured five of the CCC wickets to fall for 39 runs.
Bloomfield gained a 37-run first innings lead after dismissing Ragama CC for 122 at the Salawa Army grounds, Kosgama. Ragama CC’s batting was derailed by left-arm spinner Kaveesha Piyumal who ended up taking 5/28 in 10 overs. Bloomfield also had their problems tackling the left-arm spin of Kevin Nanayakkara (5/29 off 10) losing six wickets for 73 before Pathum Rathnayake (37*) and skipper Tharindu Guruge (25) added 41 to take them to 159-9 by stumps.
Tamil Union were on the brink of gaining a first innings lead when they finished strongly on 147-2 after dismissing United Southern SC for 153 at Surrey Village grounds, Maggona. Opener Sehas Ashinsa (64 off 77 balls, 4 fours, 3 sixes) shared in two half-century stands of 56 with Randula Marabana (27) and 76 with Thaminda Pradeeptha (34*) to place United Southern SC in a healthy position at 127-2 but Vihas Thewmika, the former Sri Lanka U19 all-rounder broke through with his off-breaks capturing 8/33 off 19.4 overs as United Southern SC lost their last eight wickets for 26 runs. Tamil Union were powered by an opening stand of 97 between skipper Sineth Jayawardena (59 off 57 balls, 6 fours, 2 sixes) and Tehan Bitar (53* off 137 balls, 5 fours).
Kurunegala SC were also poised to gain a first innings lead over Police SC at Police Park. In reply to Kurunegala SC’s moderate total of 149, Police SC were struggling at 83-8 by stumps. Former St Anne’s College, Kurunegala cricketer Thushan Jayasekera took 4/41 and off-spinner Malitha Hapuarachchi (3/22) for Police SC. Police SC lost three of their wickets to run outs to be placed in this perilous position.
A 117-run partnership for the fifth wicket between Ranuda Somarathne (108* off 134 balls, 10 fours, 1 six) and Sri Lanka all-rounder Dunith Wellalage (67 off 80 balls, 8 fours, 1 six) saw SSC run up the highest total of the day – 322-8 declared against Army SC at the SSC grounds. Former Prince of Wales captain Rivith Jayasuriya gave SSC a head-on start by scoring 87 off 106 balls (11 fours, 2 sixes) at the top of the order. Left-arm spinner Pathum Vihanga took 5/96 for Police SC who ended the day on 55-0.
In the battle of the two Moratuwa clubs at Moratuwa Stadium, Moratuwa SC batting first made 283-7 against Sebastianites. Dineth Sithumina missed out on a century by two runs being dismissed for 98 scored off 193 balls (9 fours).
At Moors grounds, opener Hirun Kapurubandara hit a stroke-filled century – 116 off 131 balls (7 fours, 7 sixes) to help Badureliya CC post 277. Left-arm spinner Induwara Udena took 4/52 for Moors SC who replied with 87-3.
All round batting contributions saw Colts score 227 against Kurunegala YCC at Colts grounds. Off-spinner Vathila Udara was the pick of the Kurunegala YCC bowlers taking 4/64. Kurunegala YCC replied with 41-2.
An opening stand of 98 by Vishal Rukshan (42) and Hasidu Damsutha (44) saw Negombo CC score 261 against Panadura SC at Panadura. By the close the home team had lost two wickets for 14. All the matches will be continued on its second day today.