Under 23 Final Moors SC emerge champions in a thriller

Champion Moors SC team posing for a picture after receiving the trophy

By M. Shamil Amit

Moors SC emerged the Major Club Under 23 champions when they recorded a thrilling first innings win over Ragama CC in the final concluded at R. Premadasa Stadium yesterday.   
The high scoring match turned into a thriller after Moors SC was well placed on 224 for 3 at the tea break in pursuit of a challenging score of 294 runs to gain a first inning win and clinch the title.   

The second day’s proceedings saw Ragama CC resuming from their overnight score of 258 for 8 went on to make a score of 293 runs. 

 
Moors SC in their run chase got off to an inauspicious start as they lost the first wicket with seven runs on the board before Sohan de Livera made a quick fire 72 runs in 57 balls inclusive of seven boundaries and two sixes and skipper Dinuka Dilshan who chipped in with 44 shared a valuable 112 runs for the second wicket.   

After the separation of the pair Mohamed Shamaaz and Janishka Perera guided the side with another fine partnership for the fourth wicket. 

 
Shamaaz cracked 73 in 87 balls which had three boundaries and three sixes while Perera hit 73 with six boundaries as the pair shared 136 runs. 

 
With the dismissal of Shamaaz saw Moors SC losing five quick wickets for the addition of 30 runs as they slid from a healthy position of 262 for 4 to 292 for 9 before racing to a first innings win to clinch the title.   

Result:

At R. Premadasa Stadium - First innings win for Moors SC

Ragama CC (258/8 overnight) 293 (Dulaj Bandara 73, Ranmith Jayasena 72, Shashika Dulshan 52, Dellon Peiris 27, Lahiru Dewatage 17, Ashan Fernando 15: Theesan Vithusan 5 for 102, Dinuka Dilshan 2 for 19)   
Moors SC 298 for 9 (Mohamed Shamaaz 73, Sohan de Livera 72, Janishka Perera 72, Dinuka Dilshan 44: Dellon Peiris 5 for 102, Shashika Dulshan 3 for 92)