Nor-Lanka create huge upset
Nor-Lanka manufacturing (Group ‘A’ No. 4) created a huge upset by eliminating the high-riding, unbeaten Stafford Motors (Group ‘B’ No.1) beating them by a huge margin of 51 runs, in the 5th ‘Honda’ Trophy MCA Division ‘G’ 25-over League Tournament pre-quarter-finals last weekend.
Ruchira Perera - Brandix. Pic by Ranjith Perera
A match-winning third-wicket partnership of 116 by Chamath Silva (56 in 66 deliveries inclusive of six boundaries) and Udeepa Munasinghe who scored a lusty 79 in 46 balls (Seven hits over the ropes and five hits to the ropes) paved the way for this unexpected victory and while Sajith Asanga bowled a fine spell to capture four vital wickets for 28 runs shattered the strong Stafford Motors batting line up.
Useful contributions from Nipuna Gamage (44), I. Kahawita (35 not out) and G. Jayamaha (3 for 18) carried the debutants, UB Finance to a 37 runs win over WNS Global. A 130-run opening stand between Nimesh Fernando (64 in 54 balls with a six and six fours) and S. Pussegolla (59 not out in 51 balls with a six and six fours) propelled Asia Asset Finance to a comfortable 9-wicket win over HNB Assurance.
Opening batsman, Surendra Karunakaran hit a sparkling unbeaten 73 in 56 balls, inclusive of three sixes and 10 fours to guide Brandix Essentials ‘B’ to a convincing eight wickets win over the debutants, Palliyaguruge Group.
A. Sanjeewa and Nalaka de Soysa bowled two inspiring spells, as SriLankan Airlines cruised to a 37 runs win over Butani Capital.
Two fine half centuries by Pasan Jayasinghe (78 in 58 balls with 12 hits to the ropes) and Thivanka de S. Wijeratne (65 not out in 46 balls with three sixes and six fours) supported by a fiery spell of pace bowling by Praveen Fernando (3 for 5) spearheaded Deutsche Bank AG to a comprehensive 85 runs win over Tech-One Global.
A brilliant half century scored under pressure by lower order batsman Chinthaka de Silva (58 in 37 balls with 12 hits to the ropes) pulled out Merchant Bank of Sri Lanka Finance from the Jaws of defeat and subsequently post a hard fought 21 runs win over Pearson Lanka.
MBSL was reeling at 73 for 6 and De Silva did the rescue act putting on 65 runs for the seventh wicket with his skipper Duminda Pinto. Two quick-fire half centuries by Dilshan Peiris (61 in 31 balls with two sixes and 10 fours) and Ashan Wijesinghe (64 in 22 balls with six sixes and six fours) rocketed Jetwing Travels to a 109 runs win over NM Distributors.
The quarter-final line up for this weekend will be as follows:
1st QF at MCA/morning: Asia Asset Finance Vs. Jetwing Travels.
2nd QF at MCA/afternoon: Merchant Bank of Sri Lanka Finance Vs. UB Finance
3rd QF at Thurstan/morning: Nor Lanka Manufacturing Vs. Deutsche Bank AG
4th QF at Thurstan/afternoon: Brandix Essentials ‘B’ Vs. Sri Lankan Airlines
Week-end’s Match Results (all pre-quarter finals)
PQF 1 at Mattegoda/morning: Asia Asset Finance beat HNB Assurance by 9 wickets
HNB Assurance 151/8 (25) (S. Ranatunga 31, A. Dishan 32, S. Mudalige 3/20)
AAF 156/1 (18.5) (Nimesh Fernando 64, S. Pussegolla 59 not out)
PQF 2 at Mattegoda/afternoon: UB Finance beat WNS Global by 37 runs
UBF 161/6 (25) (K. Madusanka 36, N. Gamage 45, I. Kahawita 35 not out)
WNSG 124/7 (25) (C. Perera 35, G. Jayamaha 3/18)
PQF 3 at MCA/morning: Nor Lanka beat Stafford Motors by 54 runs
Nor Lanka 221/5 (25) (Chamath Silva 58, Udeepa Munasinghe 79)
Stafford Motors 167 (23.5) (Sanjaya Gangodawila 59, S. Asanga 4/28)
PQF 4 at MCA/afternoon: Brandix Essentials ‘B’ beat Palliyaguruge Group by 8 wickets
Palliyaguruge 154/8 (25) (D. Harischandra 52 not out, Tharanga de Silva 3/30)
Brandix ‘B’ 159/2 (22) (Surendra Karunakaran 73 not out, R. Fernando 35, M. Pasindu 35 not out)
PQF 5 at Kotahena/morning: SriLankan Airlines beat Butani Capital by 37 runs
SLA 226 (24.1) (D. Gunawardena 40, A. Sanjeewa 30, S. Fernando 38, M. Hasrath 4/45)
Butani 189/8 (25) (H. Wanigarachchi 32, A. Gunatillake 30, A. Shafan 36 not out)
PQF 6 at Kotahena/afternoon: Deutsche Bank AG beat Tech One Global by 85 runs
DB 238/2 (25) (Pasan Jayasinghe 78, R. Tissera 31, T. de S. Wijeratne 65n.o., G. Ratnayake 47n.o.)
TOG 153 (21.2) ( R. Abeynayake 45, Praveen Fernando 3/5)
PQF 7 at Moratuwa/morning: Merchant Bank of Sri Lanka Finance beat Pearson Lanka by 21 runs
MBSL 167/9 (25) (Chinthaka de Silva 58, C. Wickramasinghe 3/19, D. Sandaruwan 3/35)
Pearsons 146/8 (25) (M. Mendis 30, S. Jayasinghe 42)
PQF 8 at Moratuwa/afternoon: Jetwing Travels beat NM Distributors by 109 runs
JWT 261/7 (25) (Dilshan Peiris 61, B. Chathuranga 38, Asanka Peiris 30, Ashan Wijesinghe 64)
NMD 142 (24.4) (N. Samarajeewa 30, Roshan Fernando 3/17)