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Bloomfield strongly poised for an outright
By Bernie Wijesekara
After dismissing Colts CC, (who were sent in the bat) they were bowled out for 175. Bloomfield in reply were struggling at 103 for 7 on day two in their Segment 'A' Premier 'A' league in their three-day final continued at the SSC grounds.

But Shanaka Dissanayake the little all-rounder hit 83 runs (with 11 fours in 107 balls). Batting with all poise and grace he joined by bowling all-rounder Kaushalya Weerarathne 25 (with two fours) in a last ditch 88- run stand for the eighth wicket, off 89 balls in 75 minutes and steered them to overhaul the Colts CC total, before being all out for 239 runs giving the Reid Avenue Club a 64-run lead.

It was a game of fluctuating fortunes. Colts top order in the first innings was in total disarray - losing six wickets for 38 runs. Gangling fast bowler Dharshana Gamage bowling with hostility wrought havoc with Udara Varuna to share seven wickets between them. Colts were in deep trouble, but Dilip Liyanage 76 not out, gave a delightful exhibition of controlled hitting (with 7 fours and 2 sixes) and sowed up the innings with the lower order.

Bloomfield in reply were 100 for 5 when they resumed their innings. De Saram was run out for 28 with out any addition to his overnight score. Lokuarachchi fell to Vaas - two wickets for 3 runs. Fine rearguard action by Dissanayake and Weeraratna saved Bloomfield from disaster. Dissanayake showed scant respects to the Colts varied attack. He slammed Vass for 15 runs in the bowler's 18th over. Then on his way to his 50, he smashed Bandarathilake for 15 runs with sweetly timed strokes to reach his 50. This was his fourth 50 for the season and it helped his side to take a first innings lead.

Colts facing a deficit of 64 runs lost their first wicket at 26 when leg-spinner Lokuarachchi bowled Mendis for three. Then just before tea he had Dulip Samaraweera trapped leg before 31. Sajith Fernando joined by little Kaluwithrana took control. Slowly but surely 'Kalu' the senior partner repaired the innings in a 38-run-stand for the third wicket. Sajith on 29,was batting well but was stumped off Dharmasena. Kaluwitharana batting in his own inimitable style, scored freely.

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