Back-to-back wins give Holy Cross chance to avoid relegation scares

by Reemus Fernando

Holy Cross College, Kalutara registered back-to-back outright victories to have hopes of avoiding relegation scares as the Under 19 Division I Tier ‘B’ tournament enters the decisive phase.

Holy Cross recorded victories against Dharmasoka and Zahira in their last two encounters to improve their position in the Tier ‘B’ points table. They also scored first innings points against Ananda after conceding defeats at the hands of Thurstan and Lumbini.

Holy Cross beat Zahira by ten wickets at Maradana after pulling off three wickets victory against Dharmasoka at Bandaragama.

Holy Cross were ranked among the last four teams before the outright victories elevated them to the fifth position in the nine-team group.

However, there is no room for error as they have just two more matches remaining in the league. With the last four teams in each group having to play a relegation tournament all teams ranked among the last four will be eager to do better during the last couple of matches.

While Zahira (9th) are the lowest ranked team in Group ‘X’ of Tier ‘B’, Dharmasoka(8th) are ranked just one position above Zahira. Ananda (7th) and St. Aloysius’ (6th) are the other lowly ranked teams.

In Group ‘Y’ Dharmapala(9th) are the lowest placed team. St. Sylvester’s (8th) who have three more matches are ranked one place above them. St. Sebastian’s College (7th), Katuneriya and Devapathiraja College(6th), Ratgama are the other teams in the last four rankings in that group.

According to tournament rules, the last four teams in each group in the Tier ‘B’ tournament will have to play relegation matches. The four losing teams will be relegated to Division II.