Sampath Bank and Unichela prevail on D/L method

Sampath Bank and Unichela recorded wins on the Duckworth-Lewis method against ETI and HNB in their MCA Division 'A' limited over encounters played at De Zoysa Stadium in Moratuwa and the NCC ground yesterday while the match between MAS Active and John Keells which was scheduled to be played at the Colts ended in a no decision.

Half tons by Hasantha Fernando, Kaushal Silva, Dasun Shanaka and Samin Kandanarachchi helped Sampath Bank. Winning the toss and taking first lease of the wicket they amassed a score of 354 for 6 in their 50 overs. Hasantha was the fastest of the foursome as he made a knock of 89 in 79 balls which comprised eight boundaries and three sixes.

Kaushal's knock of 77 included seven boundaries and was associated in a 142 runs stand for the fourth wicket with Hasantha. Dasun who made a 52 cracked five boundaries and two sixes while Samin who made an unbeaten half ton slammed four boundaries and three sixes.

ETI in their turn were no where near the target and despite an unbeaten 56 coming from Harsha Cooray they were well behind the required target and they ended up with a score of 163 for 7 in 34 overs when play was called off due to bad light which gave Sampath Bank a comfortable 67 runs win on the DuckworthLewis method.

At the NCC ground Unichela invited to take first lease of the wicket by HNB made a challenging score of 260 in their allotted 50 overs. Mahela Udawatte made a top score of 67. HNB in reply found spinner Sohan Boralessa too hot to handle and they were made to struggle for their runs. HNB at the stoppage of play due to bad light were 157 for 9 having faced 39 overs which resulted in a convincing 78 runs win for Unichela.

At De Zoysa Moratuwa

Sampath Bank 354 for 6 in 50 overs (Hasantha Fernando 89, Kaushal Silva 77, Dasun Shanaka 52, Shantha Kalavitigoda 37, Samin Kandanarachchi 50 n.o., Charitha Buddika 17 n.o.: Chanaka Welagedera 2 for 48, Umesh Chathuranga 2 for 66)

ETI 163 for 7 in 34 overs (Daminda Ranaweera 44, Amal Athulathmudali 35, Harsha Cooray 56 n.o.) At NCC Unichela 260 for 8 in 50 overs (Mahela Udawatte 67, Prasanna Jayawardena 43, Kusal Janith 27, Dilruwan Perera 27, Malinda Warnapura 21, Ramith Rambukwella 24 n.o.: Sajeewa Weerakoon 3 for 31, Vimukthi Perera 2 for 42)

HNB 153 for 8 in 39 overs (Saman Jayantha 31, Madhawa Warnapura 76 n.o.: Sohan Boralessa 5 for 40) At Colts John Keells 149 for 9 in 31 overs (Roshane Silva 50, Bhanuka Rajapakse 43: Tharanga Lakshitha 3 for 23, Isuru Udana 3 for 31)

MAS Active 83 for 2 in 17 overs (Kithruwan Withanage 27 n.o., T.M. Sampath 20 n.o.)

Match ended in no decision