CCC began the defence of their Major Club T20 title with a five-wicket win against Nugegoda SWC at the Colts ground yesterday.
Seamers Nuwan Thushara (3/13) and Isuru Udana (2/25) pegged Nugegoda SWC to a total of 134-9. CCC powered by Lasith Croospulle’s knock of 43 off 22 balls (8 fours, 1 six) and Sahan Kosala’s unbeaten half-century (52* off 39 balls, 6 fours, 1 six) reached their target with 14 balls to spare despite former Kingswoodian seamer Abdul Hakam dismissing Dulnith Sigera, Ashen Bandara and skipper Pavan Rathnayake cheaply conceding 17 runs.
Losing finalists Panadura SC were not so fortunate going down by five wickets to Ace Capital CC at the same venue. Fast bowler Isitha Wijesundara, overlooked for the first Test against India at Galle, took 3/25 to restrict Panadura SC to 127-9. He had good support from former Thurstanite fast bowler Rachintha de Silva (2/16 on debut) and off-spinner Traveen Mathew (2/12). Thaveesha Abishek was the only batsman to play the bowling with any confidence scoring 52 off 51 balls (6 fours). Ace Capital CC knocked off the required runs off in 16.2 overs to win with 22 balls to spare.
Badureliya CC provided the upset of the day when they beat Bloomfield by seven wickets at Police Park. Batting first Bloomfield could muster only 131 despite opener Sanuka Galagoda contributing a delightful 63 off 43 balls (3 fours, 4 sixes). Bloomfield’s batting was undone by former Richmondite right-arm seamer Malith de Silva (4/22). Koojana Perera led Badureliya CC’s run chase with a power packed 76 off 43 balls (7 fours, 3 sixes).
Shevon Daniel (81 off 53 balls, 6 fours, 4 sixes) helped SSC run up the highest total of the day – 167-7 and beat Colts by 57 runs at the same venue. Right-arm seamer Sahan Mihira helped himself to three wickets towards the latter part of the SSC innings. Colts’ batting was destroyed for 110 by seamers Kasun Rajitha (3/22) and Pramod Madushan (2/19).
The four-prong spin attack of Tharindu Rathnayake, Vihas Thewmika, Thanuka Dabare and Vijayakanth Viyaskanth all of whom accounted for eight wickets, brought Tamil Union a comfortable five-wicket win against Kurunegala YCC at Surrey grounds, Maggona. Navod Paranavithana hit a stroke-filled 51 off 31 balls (4 fours, 4 sixes) as Tamil Union reached their target of 116 to win with 33 balls to spare.
In a low scoring game played at the same venue, Police SC beat BRC by six wickets. The slow left-arm orthodox spin of Heshan Madushanka (5/19) caused the downfall of BRC for 88. Police SC led by Bhanuka Rajapaksa coasted home with 27 balls to spare.