MAS Intimate Unichella bag a double

By Ranjan Anandappa

MAS Intimate Unichella won a grand double by defeating John Keells on the Duckworth/Lewis method in their rain hit Mercantile 'A' division League Knock Out tournament at the SSC grounds yesterday.

The winners also secured the league championship. John Keels won the toss and invited Unichella to bat first and they went on to make 251 for 9 in their stipulated 50 overs. Unichella who were badly placed at 131 for 6 in the 32nd over was helped by a 98 run stand for the seventh wicket between skipper Charmara Silva (79) and Dilruwan Perera.

The pair took the score from 131 for 6 to 229 for 7. Silva faced 94 deliveries and struck five fours and three sixes while Dilruwan Perera unbeaten 45 had four boundaries and had faced 56 deliveries.

John Keels in their turn lost wickets in rapid succession , only Dimuth Karunaratne (16), Denuwan Rajakaruna (25) and Bahnuka Rajapakse (14) Lahiru Jayaratne 2 for 23, Malinga Bandara 2 for 4). Brief scores. MAS Intimates Unichella 251 for 9 in 50 overs ( Kusal Janith Perera 54, T.M.Dilshan 8, Chamara Silva 79, Dilruwan Perera 45 n.o, Ishan Jayaratne 2 for 53, Kanishka Alvithigala 3 for 63, Shehan Jayasuriya 2 for 15).

John Keells 89 for 8 in 23.3 overs when rain intervened play (Dimuth Karunaratne 16, Denuwan Rajakaruna 25, Bhanuka Rajapakse 14, Malinga Bandara 2 for 14, Lahiru Jayaratne 2 for 23).