By Srian Obeyesekere

Galle came back from behind close to pulling off an improbable win falling short by just 18 runs chasing 289 to win on a dramatic fourth and final day after Colombo declared their second innings on 110 for 3 wickets in a Sri Lanka Cricket driven National Super League 4-day Tournament match at the Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium yesterday.

Galle surged from the derailment of breaking Colombo’s impregnable 222 leash intact with 7 wickets to running through the innings of an overnight 158 for 3 to a 224 crumbling with Nimsara Atharagalle 3 for 28, Kesara Nuwantha 3 for 83, Udith Madushan 2 for 32 and Asanka Manoj 2 for 32 doing it for Galle. Dhananjaya Lakshan top scored for Colombo with 59.

Taking up the gauntlet for Galle was Nipun Dhananjaya with a rousing 87 with half centuries from upfront Oshada Fernando 50 and Sadeera Fernando 52 spot on as Kevin Perera stepped up the momentum in that final charge with only time denying them victory ending on a handsome 271 for 5 off 44 overs falling short by 18.

Chief Scores:
Colombo 337 and 158 for 3 O/N, all out 224 (65 overs)
(Dhananjaya Lakshan 59, Ranesh Silva 52, Nimsara Atharagalle 3/28, Kesara Nuwantha 3/83, Udith Madushan 2/32, Asanka Manoj 2/42)

Galle 273 (Sadeera Samarawickrama 69, Kevin Perera 34, Muditha Lakshan 50, Promod Madushan 4/36 , Kavija Gamage 2/50, Chamod Battage 3/35)
And 271/5 (44 overs)
(Nipun Dhananjaya 87, Sadeera Samarawickrama 52, Oshada Fernando 50, Muditha Lakshan n.o. 16, Kaweeja Gamage 2/46)