A brilliant 62 ball 94 (16 fours and 3 sixes) by left handed opener Aruna Wickremaarachchi was not enough to bring his team victory over Matale CC in their limited over match played at the Aluvihare Stadium.

Matale CC ran up an imposing 265 and that total proved sufficient to give them a 54 run win. Rajitha Ranaweera top scored with 50 and Rangana Ariyadasa made important contributions. Matara SC, powered by Wickremaraachchi, threatened for much of the way, but spinners Kellepotha and Tillekeratne ensured that they fell short.

Matale CC 265 in 48 overs (R. Ranaweera 50, D. Rangana 43, R. Kellepotha 19,R. Ariyadasa 42, M. de. Silva 38, J. Welagedera 25,A. Tillekeratne 23,P. K. Aluvihare 16; M. Ekanayake 2 for 48, U. Attanayake 2 for 20)

Matara SC 214 in 40.4 overs (A. Wickremaarachchi 94,S. Srinath 27,S. Samarawickrema 22, P. Dhanapala 22; R. Kellepotha 4 for 28,R. Ariyadasa 2 for 24,A. Tillekeratne 2 for 29) - AK

Saman Priyankara 107
A superb unbeaten knock of 107 (4x8) by Saman Priyankara guided Kurunegala SC (who were 110 for 7 at one stage) to relative safety in their Sara Trophy match against Kandy Youth at the Welagedera Stadium.

Taking the honours for the visitors was left arm spinner Nadun Basnayake who captured 6 for 94 and greatly boosted his tally of wickets.

An interesting battle for first innings honours is on the cards.

Kurunegala SC 241 in 75.3 overs (S. Priyankara 107 n.o, D. Dissanaike 29, C. Pathirana 16; N. Basnayake 6 for 94, K. Ekanayake 3 for 73)
Kandy Youth 10 for no loss in 3 overs. - AK