Semi-finalists found in Mercantile ‘B’ division tournament

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The League phase of the 01st Fair & Lovely Men – MCA “B” Division 50 Over League Tournament 2017/2018 ended with MAS Silueta, John Keells Holdings ‘B’, Power Tech Cement and Commercial Credit ‘B’ qualifying for the semifinals.

MAS Silueta who remained unbeaten during the League stage finished on top of the group and will meet Commercial Credit ‘B’, who finished 4th, in the first semifinal, while JKH ‘B’ who finished 2nd will meet Power Tech Cement who finished 3rd in the second semifinal at the FTZ grounds in Katunayake.

The final three round robin games were worked off today, with MAS Silueta, JKH ‘B’ and Commercial Credit ‘B’ recording wins.

MAS Silueta vs Power Tech Cement

MAS Silueta continued to dominate the League stage with a 25 run victory on the D/L method over Power Tech Cement to make it six out of six and book their place in the semifinals.

Denuwan Rajakaruna and Shehan Fernando hit half centuries for MAS as they put up a daunting 270 all out with Sandakan Pathirana, Kavindu Bandara, Dilan Chandima  and Manelkar De Silva picking up two wickets apiece.

Power Tech Cement was  bowled for 216 chasing a revised target of 242 for victory, with former Peterite all rounder Manelkar De Silva stroking a classy 88.  Dushan Hemantha  and Buddhika Sanjeewa shared three wickets apiece for MAS Silueta as they bowled and fielded brilliantly to secure the win ahead of their semifinal while Power Tech Cement also qualified for the semifinals with four wins in six matches.

MAS Silueta270 (48.1) Denuwan Rajakaruna 81, Shehan Fernando 55, Angelo Emmanuel 44, Dushan Hemantha 29, Charana Nanayakkara 21, Sandaken Pathirana 2/12, Kavindu Bandara 2/42, Dilan Chandima 2/42, Manelkar De Silva 2/68
vs
Power Tech Cement216 (35.1) Manelkar De Silva 88, Sandaken Pathirana 31, Buddhika Sanjeewa 3/60, Dushan Hemantha 3/35, Angelo Emmanuel 2/29

Singer SL vs John Keells Holdings ‘B’

Singer Sri Lanka’s horrendous season came to an end when they lost their sixth match in as many games going down to JKH ‘B’ by 9 wickets.

The ambidextrous Tharindu Rathnayaka was at it again with his second five wicket haul of the season as Singer was  bowled for a paltry 125.

JKH wasted no time racing to the target in just 17 overs ending the match before the lunch break. Kavin Bandara hit an unbeaten half century for the winners as they qualified as the second placed team for the semifinals.

Singer Sri Lanka 125 (33.5) Isuru Shamara 46, Lochana Bandara 26, Tharindu Rathnayaka 6/23, Sasindu Perera 2/17
vs
John Keells Holdings(B)126/1 (17) Kavin Bandara 55*, Ravindu Kodithuwakku 29, Manoj Sarathchandra 28*

Unilever SL vs Commercial Credit ‘B’

Commercial Credit ‘B’ recorded a crushing 8 wicket win in a must win game against Unilever Sri Lanka to book their place in the semifinals.

Unilever was bowled out for 164 runs before Ranga Cooray starred with the bat for Commercial Credit making an unbeaten 75* as they reached the target in the 33rd over. Akeel Inham also made a half century for the winners.

Unilever Sri Lanka(B)164 (35.3) Darshana Kalansuriya 35, Gihan De Soysa 30, Daminda Perera 24, Aruna Dias 5/26
vs
Commercial Credit(B)165/2 (32.4) Ranga Cooray 75*, Akeel Inham 51