In a hard-fought battle that exemplified the competitive spirit of young cricketers, two matches in the SLC U23 Emerging Club Tournament 2025 concluded in draws on August 25th.
Moratuwa Sports Club emerged with the major honors against Chilaw Marians Cricket Club at Moratuwa, while the encounter between United Southern Sports Club and Nugegoda Sports & Welfare Club at Anuradhapura also ended without a decisive result.
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Moratuwa Sports Club set the tone for the day by posting a formidable first-innings total of 331 runs against Chilaw Marians Cricket Club. The batting effort was led by wicket-keeper batter Isula Niduwara, who smashed a brilliant century to anchor the innings and provide a strong foundation.
Supporting him was Sahan Kawshalya, who contributed a valuable fifty with stylish strokeplay, helping Moratuwa SC build a solid total. In response, Chilaw Marians Cricket Club struggled, managing only 208 runs in their first innings. Darshaka Sandeep was the lone bright spot for the visitors, top-scoring with a resilient 53 runs that offered some resistance.
Ushan Sathsara was the pick of the bowlers for Moratuwa Sports Club as he grabbed 5 wickets for 45 runs. Asked to follow on, Chilaw Marians Cricket Club closed the day at 47 runs for 1 wicket.
Meanwhile, at Anuradhapura, the match between United Southern Sports Club and Nugegoda Sports & Welfare Club also petered out into a draw, with both sides displaying grit and determination. United Southern Sports Club, trailing by 177 runs at the start of their second innings, fought back valiantly to post 167 runs for 8 wickets by stumps.
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Nugegoda Sports & Welfare Club’s Pulindu Perera was the standout performer of the match, proving his all-round prowess. Earlier with the bat, he struck a fine half-century that helped his team build a competitive total. But it was with the ball where he truly excelled, scalping 4 wickets for a miserly 25 runs to restrict United Southern’s progress.
Brief Scores
Moratuwa Sports Club – 331 (103.3) IsulaNiduwara 106, SahanKawshalya 97, DuminduSewmina30, AbishekLiyanarachchi 27, SasinduBettage20, DilanaDamsara4/66, ThimiraIrushika3/75
Chilaw Marians Cricket Club – 208 (62.3) Darshaka Sandeep 53, Sakuna Liyanage 43, TharinduAmarasinghe31, ThewinAmarasinghe28, HiranJayasundara 23, UshanSathsara 5/45, DuminduSewmina 3/59& 47/1 (10)TharinduAmarasinghe 30*
Result – Match Drawn
United Southern Sports Club – 54 (16.2) PesanduSanjan 25, Daham Nirmal 6/19, Abdul Hakam Shirad 2/12, Pasindu Pathum 2/22 & 167/8 (78.5) Hansa EshanMihiranga 49, SeniraLithmin 25*, ThaminduPradeeptha 24, PulinduPerera 4/25
Nugegoda Sports & Welfare Club – 231 (60.3) PulinduPerera 59, Abhishek Anandakumara 32, Pasindu Pathum 31, Abhisek Jayaweera 25, Daham Nirmal 23, SithukaGunawardana 4/60, Sasanka Nirmal 4/81, HimalRavihansa 2/74
Result – Match Drawn
