Bloomfield end 15-year drought with First-Class triumph

by Rex Clementine

Bloomfield finally broke their 15-year title drought, clinching the First-Class championship with a first-innings win over NCC in the final at R. Premadasa Stadium on Saturday. The two teams, having dominated their respective groups, squared off in the four-day final, with NCC walking in as the fancied side, boasting a half-dozen Sri Lankan internationals. But cricket, as they say, is a great leveler. A marathon double-century from Ron Chandraguptha turned the tide, propelling Bloomfield past the 500-run mark in the first innings and effectively sealing the deal.

Chandraguptha, a former Trinity College star, has been piling on the runs in domestic circuit, and with Test opener Dimuth Karunaratne stepping aside, he might just be in the selectors’ thoughts. His innings was the backbone of Bloomfield’s dominance, as he first stitched together a 119-run opening stand with fellow Trinitian Hasitha Boyagoda (52) and then built an unassailable 200-run partnership with Asitha Wanninayake (96). The former St. Anthony’s Katugastota opener was cruelly run out, just four short of what would have been a well-deserved century.

But there was no stopping Chandraguptha. In searing Colombo heat, he batted for two full days, anchoring Bloomfield to a commanding 508.

NCC, in reply, could only muster 312, with leg-spinner Jeffrey Vandersay weaving his magic to claim four wickets. With a near 200-run lead heading into the final day, Bloomfield had only one job – bat sensibly, avoid a collapse, and secure the title on a first-innings win.

Bloomfield were the underdogs but a maiden double hundred by Ron Chandraguptha sealed the deal for them.

At 41 for three, there was a slight wobble, but Wanninayake, playing with a steely resolve, soaked up the pressure and posted a back-to-the-wall hundred. His knock ensured NCC had no opening to push for an outright result. If the selectors were watching, he certainly sent a timely reminder that he belongs in the big league.

This victory is a massive shot in the arm for Bloomfield, a club that has faced its fair share of off-field turbulence. They lost a key revenue stream when the Urban Development Authority (UDA) took over ownership of the telecom towers at their premises. To make matters worse, their clubhouse was nearly repurposed for a hotel project aimed at supporting the adjacent rugby facility. Against this backdrop of struggle, lifting the First-Class title is a triumph worth savouring.

For NCC, Lahiru Udara stood tall, continuing his prolific domestic season with a sparkling 145, but his efforts weren’t enough to take his side over the line. He finished as the leading run-scorer of the season with 787 runs in 14 innings at an average of 56, while Chandraguptha wasn’t far behind, accumulating 729 runs at 48.

In the league phase, Bloomfield won four of their eight matches, a feat matched only by Moors. Bloomfield topped Group ‘A’, while NCC edged out Moors in Group ‘B’ to book their place in the final.

The biggest shock of the season, however, came from SSC, a powerhouse of Sri Lankan cricket, being relegated. Along with them, Ragama Cricket Club, Negombo Cricket Club, and Kandy Customs have lost their First-Class status for the next two seasons.

Sri Lanka Cricket has swung the axe on the bloated domestic structure, cutting the number of First-Class teams to 14 next season, with a further reduction to 12 the following year. The move aims to inject more quality and competitiveness into domestic cricket, ensuring the cream rises to the top.

For now, though, it’s Bloomfield who are raising their glasses at Reid Avenue, celebrating a long-awaited triumph – a victory forged in grit, resilience, and a touch of brilliance from Ron Chandraguptha.