Five teams emerged victorious in the SLC Major League Tournament third week fixtures worked out during the weekend. CCC defeated Sebastianites C & AC by an innings and 254 runs on their home grounds in Group A, Panadura SC trounced Navy SC by an innings and 90 runs in Kandy Customs CC defeated Kalutara TCL by 9 wickets, Bloomfield beat SL Air Force by 4 wickets in Group B and Moors SC chalked up a 7- wicket win over BRC at Moors Grounds in Group A.
CCC shot out Sebastianites for 76 in rounding off the innings triumph with Sonal Dinusha claiming 4 for 47 and Asitha Fernando 3 for 8 with only Ryan Fernando getting into double figures scoring 35. Panadura SC’s innings win was dominated by Nimesh Vimukthi who took 5 for 53 in capping a fine all-around performance on the back of a century and 10- wicket match bag. Meanwhile, Kandy Customs coasted to their 59-run target finishing on 62 for 1 with Harindu Jayasekera unbeaten on 33 and Imesh Udayanga on 18 in Group A.. Bloomfield chased down 227 for the loss of 6 wickets against Air Force in Group B spearheaded by half centuries by Gajith Kituwegoda 68 and Yohan de Silva 56. Nimanda Madushanka made 42, Hasnain Bokhari 16 with Lahiru Madushanka unbeaten on 14. Moors raced to their 124 target scoring 125 for 3 fronted. by Mohammad Shamaazu who was unbeaten on 50. Sohan de Livera and Adeesha Thilanchana made 20 each and Dinuka Dilshan 19.
Of the drawn six encounters, Tamil Union C & AC wriggled out of the jaws of defeat to square up in a no decision against SL Army in Group B at the P. Saravanamuththu Stadium.. Set 351 to win Tamil Union ended the day on 208 for 5.anchored by Ravindu Fernando who struck an unbeaten 59-. Ron Chandraguptha made 42, Sadeera Siriwardene 34,Kamesh Nurmal 19 and Sithara Habuhina 18. Chilaw Marians CC rattled up 441 for 7 in reply to Badureliya SC’s 432 as the Group B fixture petered out to a drab no decision. Anuj John led the Marians run charge with a superb 121 well supported by Kasun Vidura 81, Swapnil Gugale 67 and Raveen Yasas 52.
Galle CC trailing Kurunegala YCC by 172 runs rallied their second innings scoring 336 for 5 to force a draw in Group A at their home grounds. Vinura Dulsara made 102 with Chathura Lakshan unbeaten on 72. Other chief run getters were Saman Kandenarachchi 61 and Shalith Fernando 37. The highlight of Kurunegala YCC’s first innings total of 411 for 9 declared was Sanoj Darshika who struck a brilliant 142. Galle’s Raghu Sharma took 7 for 140. Meanwhile, Sandun Weeraklody smashed 165 in NCC’s 489 in reply to Nugegoda Welfare Sports Club’s 371 in Group B at NCC Grounds. NCC’s bowlers did well to restrict Nugegoda to 204 for 8 a second time around with Lasith Embuldeniya taking 5 for 98 and Sahan Arachchige 2 for 31. Suwath Mendis 46 and Sadisha Rajapaksa 42 held the Kurunegala innings together. At Thurston College grounds Lankan CC following on forced a draw ending on a healthy 165 for no loss thanks to Kasun Abeyrathne striking a forceful 101 off 109 balls and Deshan Dias’ 55 versus Ragama CC in Group A. The drawn Group B game between Saracens SC and Negombo CC at BRC grounds saw Negombo finish the final day on 68 for 2 after their opponents declared the second innings on 246 for 8. The highlight of Saracens innings was skipper Milinda Siriwardsna’s 110. At SSC grounds Colts CC following on 170 behind bounced back making 186 fori. 1 steered by Sangeeth Cooray who slammed an unbeaten 100 with Hashan Dumindu stroking 78 in the drawn Group A match.