Tier B T20 tournament
The quarter-final matches of the Tier B T20 tournament played out at four venues saw United Southern SC, Leo CC, Army SC and Negombo CC enter the semif-finals.
Leo CC completed the most comprehensive win of the four matches beating Navy SC by 98 runs at Air Force grounds, Katunayake. Two half-century stands for the first two wickets involving Ashan Fernando (54 off 35 balls, 6 fours, 2 sixes) – 59 off 37 balls with Prasad Asanka (40 off 27 balls, 7 fours, 1 six) and 50 off 36 balls with Nethma Karunaratne (18) saw Leo CC reach 174-6 off their allotted overs. Navy SC were shot out for 76 inside 15 overs mainly by Supun Dilshan (3/17).
Amy SC went through some anxious moments before beating Moratuwa SC by 14 runs at Welisara. Despite being reduced to 97-7 chasing 190, Moratuwa SC put up a plucky performance through their late order and tail to reply with 175-9. Madushanka Premaratne staged a recovery with a brilliant half-century (51 off 23 balls, 5 fours, 4 sixes) falling in the final over. Janaka Sampath top scored for Army SC with an aggressive 61 off 47 balls (4 fours, 2 sixes) in their total of 189-7.
Both Negombo CC and United Southern SC defended their low totals to beat Ragama CC and Sebastianites respectively. Negombo CC scored 139-7 and dismissed Ragama CC for 91 to win by 48 runs at Air Force grounds, Katunayake, while United Southern SC scored 143-8 and bowled out Sebastianites for 98 at Welisara. Damesh Mathishan top scored with 60 (off 46 balls, 3 fours, 3 sixes) and left-arm seamer Lidula Nuwanga took 4/20 for United Southern SC.
In the semi-finals scheduled for 4 September Leo CC will play United Southern SC in the first semi-final and Army SC take on Negombo CC in the second semi-final. (ST)
