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.

Royal College’s bold gamble will haunt them for years as their arch-rivals, S. Thomas’ College, pulled off a stunning five-wicket heist in the 146th Battle of the Blues, scripting one of the most dramatic victories in the history of the encounter at the SSC grounds yesterday.

Declaring with a lead of 232, Royal dared the Thomians to chase the seemingly improbable target in just 42 overs. Initially, it appeared the declaration was justified as the Thomians began cautiously. But then, like a storm tearing through a quiet evening, Sadev Soyza arrived at the crease and flipped the script. With aggressive intent and fearless stroke play, Soyza hammered a game-changing 52 off just 32 balls, breathing new life into the chase. His fireworks set the stage for first-innings centurion Dineth Goonawardena and fresher Reshon Solomons to take charge, both crafting brilliant half-centuries to carry S. Thomas’ to an unforgettable victory—breaking a six-year drought and lifting the prestigious shield, last won under Sithara Hapuhinna’s leadership.

Entering the third and final day, a dull draw loomed large. But Royal, in a bid for an outright victory, made a daring declaration at 215 for 8, setting up a chase that most believed to be beyond reach. Royal’s innings was spearheaded by two half-centuries—one from Rehan Peiris, who followed up his breathtaking 158 in the first innings with a gritty 53, and another from skipper Ramiru Perera, who scored an even 50. The highlight, however, belonged to Darien Diego, who ripped through Royal’s middle order with a sensational hat-trick, becoming the first Thomian to achieve the feat since 1997. His five-wicket haul for just 40 runs turned the momentum in favour of S. Thomas’ just before their chase.

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by Reemus Fernando

Emerging middle distance runner Lahiru Achintha of St. Aloysius’ College Rathnapura won an event double with a new national Under 18 record performance in the boys’ 3000 metres at the Second Selection Trial conducted by Sri Lanka Athletics at Diyagama.

Lahiru Achintha clocked 4:02.38 seconds to win the Under 18 1500 metres on the final day of the meet on Sunday.

His most remarkable feat however was the 8:46.01 seconds performance in the Under 18 3,000 metres. Achintha finished the event with over a half a lap lead over second placed J. Vathusan.

Ananda College high jumper Lesandu Arthavidu and St. Joseph Vaz’s College Wennappuwa sprinter Vimansa Rajakaruna were the others to have made an impact on the final day.

Arthavidu scaled new heights clearing a height of 2.22 metres to establish a new national junior high jump record.

Rajakaruna clocked 21.08 seconds to establish a new Under 20 200 metres record. Rajakaruna established the record competing alongside seniors. He was placed second in the senior category event.