There were outright victories for Panadura Sports Club, Nondecripts Cricket Club, Burgher Recreation Club, Colombo Cricket Club and Matara Sports Club in the second week of the Premier League tournament.
The performance of the day was undoubtedly that of Matara Sports Club. They have just been joined by a group of players that had previously represented Moors Sports Club. The sudden move to the Southern Province club – which was sanctioned by the BCCSL – has paid immediate dividends as they recorded a dramatic 23 run victory against Bloomfield.
Matara had conceded a 114 run deficit after the first innings but batted well in their second to post 225. Bloomfield were required to score 112 in what appeared to be a race against the clock. However, in their search for quick runs, they lost frequent wickets after an opening stand of 37. In fact, they lost their last five wickets for just 11 runs and were bowled out for 88. Salgoda was Matara's bowling star, taking six wickets in his seven overs.
The first two days of the Antonians-Nondescripts encounter had been evenly matched and Antionians deserve great credit for their gutsy performance. However, when you are competing with the big boys, you cannot afford to drop your guard. Unfortunately, they did this morning and were bundled out 112 in their second innings. Ganegama proved to be too good for them and he picked up five wickets for 34 runs. NCC nonchalantly knocked off the required victory target of 103 in 27 overs.
Sebastianites staved off defeat against the SSC with a solid lower order performance. The eighth and ninth wicket yielded 38 and 59 runs respectively. Sebastianites were bowled out for 231 and SSC could have enforced the follow on. However, they preferred to collect batting points and finished the day on 140 for two with Sanjeeva Ranatunga scoring an unbeaten 55.
Tamil Union were four wickets down in their second innings overnight and could have been in trouble if Rangana Herath had run through the lower order like he had done in the first innings. However, Rideegammanagedera - who also took three wickets in the Moors first innings – scored a patient 95 from 227 deliveries. Tamil Union finished their second innings on 251, leaving Moors with just 32 overs to bat until the close of play.
Panadura Sports Club mopped up the Navy Sports Club, winning the match by an innings and 55 runs. Their left arm spinner, GAS Perera, was the star of the show, finishing the innings with seven wickets for 45 runs.
Colts CC had grasped the upper hand against Galle CC but were unable to secure an outright victory as the Southern province side battled hard in their second innings. They were finally dismissed 294, but there was too little time for a run chase and Colts had to settle for a draw. Sajith Fernando chipped in with another four wickets to finish with an impressive match haul of 11 wickets for 138 runs.
Burgher Recreation Club wasted no time in finishing off the Air Force today. Having forced them to follow on, they bowled the Air Force out for just 99 runs in their second innings. Weereakoon - the seventh bowler to be used by BRC - wrapped up the innings with four wickets from eleven overs.
Colombo Cricket Club finally overcame Kurunegala after a spirited performance by the home side in the second innings. However, when they were eventually bowled out for 233, Colombo CC were required to score just 16 runs for victory and knocked off the required runs in just three overs.
© cricinfo
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