Colts Cricket Club tightened their grip on the Premier League championshiptrophy on Saturday, first building an imposing lead and then chiseling outvital second innings wickets in afternoon, to leave Sinhalese Sports Clubapparently on the brink of

CricInfo30-Mar-2002Colts Cricket Club tightened their grip on the Premier League championshiptrophy on Saturday, first building an imposing lead and then chiseling outvital second innings wickets in afternoon, to leave Sinhalese Sports Clubapparently on the brink of defeat.With two days still to spare, SSC’s hopes rest firmly in the hands of MahelaJaywardene, who was once again in prime form during the evening, left on 32not out at the close, having hit two fours and a six.SSC finished the day on 96 for four, still trailing by 99 runs after Coltshad extended their overnight score of 183 for three to 411 after furtherhalf centuries from Jevantha Kulatunga (50 from 70 balls) and MuthumudaligePushpakumara (81 from 97 balls).It’s turning out to be a fine all-round performance from Pushpakumara, whopicked up four wickets in the first innings, and his omission from the Ateam squad to Namibia, despite the presence of another off-spinningall-rounder as captain – Thilan Samaraweera – is surprising.In the morning, Kaushalya Weeraratne fell early on but Romesh Kaluwitharanacontinued in the same breezy fashion to the previous night, quickly movingto 72 before feathering a catch to the wicket-keeper.Chaminda Vaas scored just 12 before being dismissed by Nuwan Zoysa, hisfellow new ball partner in the national side, and SSC looked to be inchingtheir way back into the game (255 for six).But Pushpakumara and Kulatunga added 79 for the sixth wicket and then, whenKulatunga was dismissed moments after reaching his fifty, Pushpakumara addeda further 59 with Eric Upashantha, who celebrated his recall to the one-daysquad with a stubborn 27 from 54 balls.SSC were soon in trouble when starting their second innings, sliding to 38for four before being rescued by Jayawardene – a now familiar tale – andThilan Samaraweera, who was left unbeaten on 23 at the close.Avishka Gunawardene (4) continued his poor form, edging a catch behind inthe third over, and WSMM Perera followed four overs later as Vaas grabbedhis second wicket. Dulip Liyanage also chipped in, accounting for MarvanAtapattu (17) and NT Paranavitana for a second ball duck.