Premier L/O Cricket Tournament Chilaw Marians, NCC book final berths

By M. Shamil Amit

Chilaw Marians CC and NCC came out victorious in their respective SLC Premier Limited Over Cricket Tournament semi-final encounters worked off yesterday. 

Chilaw Marians CC coasted to a comfortable three-wicket in a high scoring match played at the FTZ Grounds in Katunayake while NCC pulled off a thrilling 22-run win over Army SC in their match played at the SSC Grounds.

SSC taking first lease of the wicket posted a challenging 277 which came on the back of half centuries from Sachithra Senanayake, Sammu Ashan and Sandun Weerakkody.
Chilaw Marians CC in their run chase lost three quick wickets with the score at 65 in the 13th over. 

However, they recovered thanks to Sumit Ghadigaonkar who made 99 in 111 balls that comprised 11 boundaries and a six.
In addition, Skipper Shehan Jayasuriya made a quick-fire 57 in 52 balls inclusive of five boundaries and a six. In the other semi-final, NCC came back to pull off a thrilling win after being in a hopeless position. 

NCC taking first lease of the wicket collapsed to 68 for five in the 22nd over before they recovered to reach a respectable 194 runs.
Army SC in reply were able to score only 172 runs despite a fighting innings from Dinesh Chandimal who made a top score of 91.

Results:
At FTZ Katunayake (Chilaw Marians CC won by three wickets)
SSC: 277/8 in 50 overs (Sachithra Senanayake 86, Sandun Weerakkody 57, Sammu Ashan 71 n.o, Shehan Jayasuriya 2/20, Thikshila de Silva 2/51)
Chilaw Marians CC: 279/7 in 46.4 overs (Sumith Ghadigaonkar 99, Shehan Jayasuriya 57, Thikshila de Silva 31, Nimesh Vimukthi 20 n.o, Dhammika Prasad 3/62, Hashen Ramanayake 2/48)
At SSC Grounds (NCC won by 22 runs)
NCC: 194 in 49.3 overs (Sahan Arachchige 56, Angelo Perera 45, Chamika Karunaratne 24, Janith Silva 3/20, Heshan Hettiarachchi 3/34, Dushan Vimukthi 2/32, Asela Gunaratne 2/34)
Army SC: 172 in 42.1 overs (Dinesh Chandimal 91, Dilesh Gunaratne 3/18, Sachindu Colombage 3/54, Chamika Gunasekera 2/37).