SSC were left kicking their heels when they failed to get maximum points from Police SC, which allowed nearest rivals Bloomfield to shoot past them and take over the lead in the race for the division I (Segment 'A') Sara trophy championships.
In a weekend where teams in the top five of the standings recorded outright victories, SSC was an exception.
A sharp shower of rain on the second day, allowed play to commence only after 4 p.m. as hosts Police SC did not have covers to protect the playing area. Attempts made by SSC to get their covers from Maitland Place failed, and the match eventually ended in a no-decision with Police holding out to make 293 for 7 at stumps in reply to SSC's 345.
It was a decision SSC did not want because of the closeness of the competition, with Bloomfield breathing heavily down their neck.
``If the SSC curator was more flexible, we could have got the covers in time and play would have been possible very much earlier than 4 p.m. on the second day,'' said an infuriated SSC coach Guy de Alwis.
Police defied through 120 overs and a five-wicket haul from Sri Lanka leg-spinner Jayantha Silva, to draw the contest with A. Priyantha and C. Liyanage contributing fighting half-centuries. SSC's innings was constructed by a five-and-a-half hour century from opener Aruna Gunewardena (135).
BLOOMFILED GREAT RESERVES
Bloomfield captained by Pulasthi Gunaratne, displayed great reserves of strength to thrash Antonians outright by 250 runs after setting their opponents a victory target of 305 in 44 overs. The win not only enabled Bloomfield to regain the leadership, but also opened up a vital 14-point lead over SSC.
Bloomfield's superb victory, which at one time seemed out of question after rain had delayed the second day by three hours, was made possible by former Sri Jayewardenapura MV, Kotte cricketer Ruchira Laksiri Perera. The left-arm fast-medium bowler playing only his third match, captured 5 for 26 to rout Antonians for the lowest total of the season - 54 in 16.5 overs. Perera enhanced Bloomfield's victory chances by performing a hat-trick in his fifth over. He knocked the cream of the Antonian batting line-up by having Pasan Wanasinghe, Upul Fernando and Vipula Sittamge - all caught. The last two victims were caught by Sampath Perera, who took over duties behind the stumps in the absence of Pubudu Dasanayake and, performed creditably. He had six dismis- sals in the first innings (2 ct, 4 st) and also scored a rapid half-century in the second innings when Bloomfield went for quick runs on the final day in search of an outright result.
RUCHIRA TON
Vice-captain Ruchira Palliyaguru had a good game for his club, scoring a 130-ball century and taking five wickets in the match. Thushara Kodikara scored a compact 88 in the Antonians first innings of 265, but there was very little he could do in the second innings as Perera ripped through.
``If we play to our potential, I am sure the boys will deliver the goods,'' said Bloomfield coach D.S. de Silva.
The manner in which the virtual second string Bloomfield side has performed in the absence of the club's national players (who are away in New Zealand and Bangladesh), has put the coach in a spot. He is undecided on how he is going to select the eleven for the remaining two games because of the abundance of talent he has under him.
Due to the Tyronne Fernando Stadium holding the second under 19 one-day international between Sri Lanka and India on Friday, Bloomfield's fixture against Sebastianites will start a day late on Saturday and end on Monday.
CHANDIKA ON SONG
Sri Lankan discard Chandika Hathurusingha continued to knock on the door for recognition, when he came off with a marvellous bowling performance against BRC at the Sara Stadium. Recognised more for his role as an opening batsman, Hathurusingha duly compensated for Tamil Union's paucity of bowlers by taking a career best 15 wickets in the match. He bettered his first innings figures of 7 for 158 by taking 8 for 29 in the second innings to rout BRC for 291 and 136 and earn Tamil Union their sixth outright win for the season. The other five wickets in the match were captured by left-arm leg-spinner Niroshan Bandaratilleke.
Hathurusingha's performance came after former Thurstan cricketer Asela Jayasinghe's 79-ball cameo in recording the fastest century of the season. He beat team mate Upul Chandana's effort against Police SC by three balls. Jayasinghe went on to hit a career best 183 with 11 sixes and 14 fours, as Tamil Union went on to record the highest total of the weekend - 444 for 6 declared.
Another excellent century (153) from Sujith Janaka coupled with a fine display of leg-spin bowling by Bathiya Perera (match bag of 7 for 92) saw Colts make light of the feeble opposition put up by wooden spoonists Kalutara TC. The match played at Panadura, saw Colts wrap up the match by an innnings on the second day.
SANJEEVA 10 WICKETS
Former Sri Lanka leg-spinner Sanjeeva Weerasinghe took 10 wickets to spin NCC to an outright win over Singha. The resistance put up by the visitors was so minimal, that NCC's total of 382 was more than sufficient to earn them an innings victory. A 191-run fourth wicket stand between Sanjeeva Ranatunga (97) and acting captain Russel Arnold (104) enabled NCC to recover from a shaky 59 for 3 to one of match-winning proportions.
Kurunegala YCC's wicket-keeper/batsman Lanka de Silva continued to score runs off good opposition despite receiving the cold shoulder from the selectors, when he knocked up a century against Sebastianites. With Hiran Liyanage also contributing a useful 82, Kurunegala YCC were able to declare their first innings of the rain-affected match at 329 for 7. Sebastianites fell short by 54 runs when they were dismissed for 275 despite half-centuries from Manoj Mendis and Sanjeeva Silva. R. Kariyawasam, although expen- sive, took 4 for 102 for Kurunegala.
SEGMENT 'B'
Matara SC gave outstation cricket a big boost by winning the division I (Segment 'B') championship beating favourites Moors SC by eight wickets in the 3-day final played at the Sara Stadium.
Excellent performances were recorded by fast-medium bowler C. Waidyaratne, who took a match bag of 11 wickets, Priyantha Siriwardena's five wickets in the Moors second innings, and batsman Sujeeva Kulatunga, whose innings of 95 was the top score in this low scoring game.