Group A table toppers Army SC suffered their first defeat in the Major Club Women’s Limited-over tournament when they lost to Navy SC by seven wickets (DLS method) at Panagoda yesterday.
In a game reduced to 34 overs because of bad weather, Army SC scored 121-5 with Imalka Mendis (39) and Nethmi Senarathna (36*) being the principal scorers. Seamer Sathya Sandeepani picked up 3/12 in 7 overs. Navy SC set a revised target of 96 to chase, got there in the 23rd over scoring 99-3. National cricketer Hasini Perera was instrumental in the run chase scoring 47* off 55 balls (4 fours).
Air Force SC consolidated their position at the top of Group B with a seven-wicket win against SSC at SLLDC grounds, Kirimandala. Sri Lanka’s right-arm fast bowler Malki Madara wrecked the SSC batting for 55 ending with impressive figures of 6/20. Air Force SC knocked off the required runs in 15 overs.
Imesha Dulani missed out on a century by one run (99 off 77 balls, 15 fours) and Sumudu Nisansala contributed a sprightly 77 off 61 balls (10 fours) to help Badureliya SC run up the highest total of the ongoing tournament – 318 at Surrey grounds, Maggona and beat Chilaw Marians CC by a massive 244 runs. Spinners Sanduni Nisansala (3/34) and Wethumya Wijesooriya (4/57) shared the wickets for Chilaw Marians CC. Spin bowling all-rounder Kaveesha Dilhari (4/24) and left-arm seamer Sulesha Sathsarani (4/13) ran through the Chilaw Marians CC batting for 74.
Panadura SC inflicted on CCC their second successive defeat when they won by four wickets at the Panadura esplanade. Half-centuries from Vishmi Gunaratne (64 off 117 balls, 9 fours), Kaushini Nuthyanga (68 off 70 balls, 8 fours) and Australia-based Yashodha Senarathne (51 off 38 balls, 6 fours, 1 six) saw CCC total 237-8. Panadura SC spurred on by national cricketer and their captain Nilakshika Silva’s all-round contribution (3/28 and 58 off 52 balls, 6 fours, 1 six) coasted home with eight balls to spare. 17-year-old Sri Lanka Under19 women’s left-handed opener Vimoksha Balasuriya also contributed to the win with 52 off 74 balls (8 fours). (ST)