by SA'ADI THAWFEEQ
Former Richmond College captain Chandragupta Hewamana hit a magnificent century to enable Galle CC stage one of the greatest rearguard actions in Sri Lanka club cricket, on the opening day of the three-day division one (Segment 'B') final against Kalutara TC at the NCC grounds yesterday.
Kalutara TC captain Rohitha Kottachi's decision to send Galle CC in first, in conditions helpful to his bowlers, seemed justified when they picked up six Galle CC wickets for 30 runs before lunch. But as the pitch lost its early morning sting, Galle CC were able to crawl back into the contest to end up with a total of 300.
By the close, Kalutara TC who had two overs to face made seven without loss.
The day however belonged to Hewamana, the wicket-keeper/batsman of the side, whose plucky knock of 105 coming at number eight, has given Galle CC an opportunity to force a win after being down in the dumps.
Hewamana came to the wicket at 30 for 6 and, when he departed having hit four sixes and 12 fours in a stay of 195 minutes, he had raised the total by 173 runs. He was involved in a 100-run stand for the seventh wicket with Vajira Lakmal, who scored 45 in 134 minutes (9 fours) and a further 73 runs for the eighth wicket with Ruchira Karunasena, who made 65 in 199 minutes with seven fours.
Karunasena, who opened batting for Richmond and another former Richmondite Chamil Perera, frustrated the Kalutara TC bowlers further by adding 67 valuable runs for the ninth wicket. Perera was out for 41 scored in 72 minutes with six fours.
Kalutara TC's three medium-fast bowlers Ruwan Sujeeva, Gayan Anupama and Susantha Pradeep took eight wickets amongst them. Kottachi chipped in with two wickets with his left-arm spin.
Galle gains 1st innings lead
by Leslie Fernando
GALLE CC gained first innings lead due to fine bowling by J. C. Gamage (4 for 82) and N. Weeraman (3 for 24) against Kalutara TC on the second day of the Sara Trophy (Segment 'B') final played at the NCC grounds yesterday.
At stumps, Galle CC were 51 for 3 and a good lead of 149 runs with seen wickets in hand.
Kalutara TC, in reply to Galle CC 300, were dismissed for 202 in 62.5 overs. Opener Gayan Anupama top scored with a strokeful 69 which contained 12 fours. At one stage, Kalutara TC were reeling at 111 for 8. The 9th wicket stand of 41 runs between K. Sanjaya (28) and T. Abeyratne unbeaten 49 with 9 fours and then the last wicket partnership of 50 runs through M. Balagalla (14) and K. Sanjaya enabled the side to a good recovery.
Galle CC, batting a second time, lost two quick wickets for 30 runs with both wickets claimed by left-arm spinner Ruwan Kottachchi for just 4 runs.