Sports

14th October 2001

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Hoodvian uplifts Galle rugby 

Newcomers to Mercantile 'sevens' rugby - Hoodvian Group, who won the Plate championship has further spread the gospel of rugby in the Galle District. The players, who turned out for Hoodvian Group virtually an Under-22 side drawn from the Galle Rugby Club, who emerged runner-up to Police SC in the Caltex 'B' Div. final.

Hoodivan Group has its outlet in Koggala is not only promoting the sport at grassroots level, but also giving them gainful employment to the youth in the district. The lads are committed to the sport. Not in a faint hearted manner, but put everything before them when they scrum down.

The CEO Hoodvian Mr. Ramai, is the cog-in-the-wheel. He told The Sunday Times that via sport it will help bring about reconciliation. The lads have been afforded with job opportunities for their future well-being. They have benefited much as a result to work and play. The idea is for them to work in the district and play for a district team and keep the sport alive.

Last year Hoodvian came to the quarters in the Cup and lost to HNB 'A'. But this year they co-ordinated better with Tony Amit, to assist them and got that much needed exposure whilst turning out for Galle R.C., in the 'B' Caltex League. Ruhuna has many firsts in sports be it cricket, athletics or football. Now they have added the most beautiful sport - rugby, thanks to the efforts of Kumar Abeywardena at grassroots level. Of course two old Royalists helped them initially - Hemaka Amerasuriya and Udeka Tennakoon to make it a reality.

Since then with their humble beginnings they never looked back. In its wake came the Hoodvian Group's long-term sponsorship package. It was also masterminded by another old Royalist, in Malik Samarawickrema a die-hard rugby promoter. Malik worked from the blind side to put the sport on a firm footing. (BW) 


Cisir wins

Cisir won the Nationalised Services Cricket Association Group D title defeating Ceylon Petroleum Corporation by 2 wickets at the NSCA grounds at Ratmalana. 

Petroleum Corporation: 142 all out in 30.3 overs (R. Premaratne 36, D. Prasanna 11, A.P. Kumara 28, A. Hindagoda 23; Udaya Ranasinghe 4 for 13, M.K. Piyal 3 for 21, S.M.M. Zaneer 2 for 34). 

CISIR: 147 for 8 in 34.4 overs (Saragara Wickermasekera 36, U.K.D. Amarajeewa 24, Udaya Ranasinghe 14, M.K. Piyal 22 not out; A. Hindagoda 2 for 33, R. Premaratne 3 for 29).


Int. Schools in Wesley sixes 

The much looked forward to Schools six-a-side cricket tournament for the Elephant Lemonade Trophy, will see 28 schools participating this year.

Sponsored by Ceylon Cold Stores and organised by the Old Wesleyites Sports Club, the tournament will be held on October 20 and 21 at Wesley College Grounds and Campbell Park.

For the first time 2 international schools will also be participating, namely Colombo International School and Wycherly International School. Play will commence on each day at 8.00 a.m., while a ball-by-ball commentary will be broadcast on the SLBC's Sports Service on Sunday October 21 .

Special awards for best batsman, bowler, fielder and Man of the Tournament will also be made.

The champion winning team will be awarded the Elephant Lemonade Trophy. 


War or not cricket as usual in Sharjah 

By Marlon Fernandopulle
The Board of Control for cricket in Sri Lanka(BCCSL)was confident that the forthcoming Sharjah Triangular tournament and the West Indies tour to Sri Lanka will be on schedule, despite the cloud of uncertainty that followed the US Military strikes in Afghanistan.

When contacted by The Sunday Times yesterday an official of the BCCSL said, "We have been in constant touch with the Organizers in Sharjah and they are of the view that the tournament will be on schedule and there will be no changes". Sri Lanka who will be seeking their third straight win in the desert venue will battle it out with Pakistan and Zimbabwe in the Triangular. 

Sri Lanka won the Championship in April(2001) beating Pakistan and earlier in November last year beating India.

The Official of the BCCSL also dismissed reports that the West Indies had raised doubts on their forthcoming Test and One day tour to Sri Lanka. 

"At no time was their any doubt or questions raised by the West Indies Cricket Board(WICB).We have been in touch with the WICB and can say that the Windies will be here for three tests and a One day Triangular tournament which will also feature Zimbabwe. The itineraries of the tour have already been confirmed with the only exception of an additional rest day requested by the WICB between the 1st and 2nd test".

It is very unlikely that countries will forefit tours abroad in the future as the International Cricket Council(ICC) is planning to impose a penalty of $2 million or more. The ICC Executive Board is meeting in Kuala Lumpur this week to discuss and approve this proposal. "The aim of the penalty is to protect the intergrity of the future tours", says ICC Communications Manager Mark Harrisson in a press release to the media. 

The CEO of the BCCSL Anura Tennekoon and Interim Committee Chairman Vijaya Malalasekera will represent Sri Lanka at the ICC Executive Board meeting in Kuala Lumpur this week.


Royal-Thomian waterpolo game ends in 2 all draw

By Bruce Maurice 
The first leg of the Dr. R.L. Hayman waterpolo 'Battle of the Blues' encounter which took place at the Thomian pool yesterday, ended in a two all draw. 

Thomian Thenura Abeywardena opened the Thomian account in the first quarter and then made it two nil when he scored his second goal in the second quarter. 

Royal now came back in the second and third quarters through the Rozairo brothers who scored in the 3rd and 4th quarters to save the day for the visitors. 

The game however, was marred by some of the Royal players, who seemed fo be going for the man instead of the ball. Three Thomian players suffered injuries with Eranga Fernando and Tharuna Abeywrdena suffering eye injuries while Rajiv Nagaraja, the third player to suffer injuries, needed stitches under his eye. Sohan Wu was warned many times by the referees and Yohan Rozairo was ordered out of the pool by the referees on a number of occassions. 

After the game the Royal coach stated that he was not responsible for the conduct of his charges. However, Royal Principal Mr. H.L.B. Gomez who was a spectator and was witness to these incidents stated that he will be taking action to see that performances of this nature are not repeated. 

The pick of the Thomian players were, captain Ranga Warnapura, goal keeper Senura Abeywardena and Thanura Abeywardene while captain Janith Peirs and the Rozairo brothers - Yohan and Damith - played best for the visitors. 

The under 15 game also ended in a draw with both schools scoring a goal each.


Royal-S.Thomas' keep waterpolo alive

The Royal-Thomian Water Polo encounter for the prestigious Dr. R.L. Hayman Trophy was inaugurated in 1992.

In the decade under review of keenly contested games, outstanding players, shrewd rival captains and much victories, the true spirit of traditional rivalry and qualitative sportsmanship have always been exhibited. The privilege and pride of honour to captain Royal College fell on the able shoulders of Nethru Nanayakkara and Jeevaka Perera of S. Thomas' College.

By and large, the Thomians have always fielded a more experienced outfit and completely dominated this tournament going unbeaten throughout. There were flashes of Royal quality too, where as final leg ran to two extra time sessions - such was the closeness of the games.

These two pre-eminent colleges have kept water polo alive despite very little organisation help and co-operation in the sphere of promotion of the game in Sri Lanka.

A healthy rivalry has been maintained throughout in keeping with the great traditions of the two most prominent Colleges in the island. All schools and clubs taking part in various tournaments thus contributing to the success and high standards of the sport in no small measure have buoyed up this game, still in its infancy.

The teams representing Royal and S. Thomas' this past decade have been ambassadors of this sport and we hope and expect that participants and these two Colleges will carry the game to greater heights in true competitive spirit of gentlemanly behaviour in the new decade dawning. Let them uphold true sportsmanship and friendly rivalry traditional to their distinguished alma maters.

A special inaugural award for the most outstanding player featured in this year's tournament and will become part of the tradition. The juniors battled it out for the RCUAC Challenge Trophy Under-15.

This event also featured the 2nd leg match of the past players. Royal College was spearheaded by 5th year coloursman and national player Janith Peiris and his deputy was 4th year coloursman Sanjaya Fernando, while Mahinda Liyanage acted as coach and Fareed Noor Ameen acted as technical official.

The Thomian outfit: Ranga Warnapura, assisted by Senura Abeywardena, and coached by former Thomian Captain Nawaf Mubarak. Incidentally, this year both vice captains happened to be the respective team goalies.

This year saw Royal in the box seat assured of getting the better of their age-old rivals at the All Island Inter Schools Tournament. This boosted their competitive spirit and kept their rivals on their toes.

A word of special thanks and praise is surely not out of place to all the past and present principals, sports officials, and captains and no less to the players who represented their Colleges for the past decade.


Abandoned after fire

BANGKOK, Oct 13 (Reuters) - The World Cup qualifier between Thailand and Bahrain was abandoned on Saturday after a fire broke out in the stadium 25 minutes into the match.

The fire started at about 6.55 pm local time (1155 GMT) in the electric control room of the 60,000-seater Rajamangala national stadium.

The stadium was not immediately evacuated and the 3,000 to 4,000 spectators inside the ground watched the blaze from the stands as it was broadcast live on television.


Resolute fifth wkt. stand helps Royal

By Bernie Wijesekera
Royal were struggling at four for 37 in their second innings but a resolute fifth wicket stand of 76 runs between Rochana Wijeratne (a perky 55 with 8 fours) and M. Keenawinne 33 (four fours) helped Royal to total 146 for 6 at close to draw their inter-school cricket match against Dharmapala at Reid Avenue yesterday.

Royal in the first essay made 203. The Pannipitiya school after being 3 for 82 overnight, replied with185,thanks to a determined second wicket stand of 68 between A. Peiris (36) and Agiliyage (31), which featured their innings.

Paceman T. Kottehewa 5 for 59 and skipper G. Ratnayake 3 for 29 (off-spin) contained the Palian batsmen.

Royal in their second essay were struggling at 4 for37 but recovered thanks to their two seniors - Wijeratne and Keenawinne, batting confidently, pulled Royal out of the woods. Damith Abeygunawardena 15 n.o (one four) batted steadily. S. Bowela, who bowled a livelypace returned and returned the best figures of 3 for 32.

Royal - 203 and 146 for 6 in 37 overs (Rochana Wijeratne 55, M. Keenawinne 33, Damith Abeygunawardena 15 n.o, Navin Dias 15; S. Bowela 3 for 32, D. Agiliyage 2 for 38)

Dharmapala - 185 in 99 overs , overnight 82 for 3 contd. (A. Peiris 36, D. Agiliyage 31, T.Kasun 24, C. Sampath 17, T. Kottehewa 5 for 59, G. Ratnayake 3 for 29) - B.W

Thomians thrash Mahinda by an innings

By M.Shamil Amit
The Thomians made mince meat of Mahinda College when they thrashed them by an innings and 65 runs in their inter-school cricket match which concluded at Mt Lavinia yesterday. The match was over by 2.00 p.m. Having bundled out Mahinda for 56, the Thomians declared their innings at 212 for 8 wickets. Mahinda started their second innings found things going tough again when two early wickets fell with the score on 10. They only had a minor recovery which was not enough to save the game. 

Vijesh Balasubramaniam with his nagging length had the Mahinda batsmen at sea. He had figures of 4 for 20 and was ably supported by paceman Tharindu Fernando who took 3 for 29 and Denham Williams with 2 for no runs. 

Mahinda in the end were bowled out for just 91. Leaving the Thomians victors by an innings.

Mahinda - 56 and 91 (G.S.Liyanage 36, T.Randima 30; Vijesh Balsubramaniam 4 for 20, Tharindu Fernando 3 for 29, Denham Williams 2 for 0)

S.Thomas' - 212 for 8 declared (Heshan Peiris 53, Kaushal Silva 48, Tharindu Fernando 25 n.o, Praveen Perera 23, Pramuditha Rodrigo 20; S.Malinga 3 for 102)

Drawn match at Darley Road

Splendid batting by Chandana Aravinda, who scored 83 which comprised 8 boundaries and 4 sixes and a half century by skipper Thivanka de S Wijeratne, was the feature of the drawn inter-school cricket match between St Joseph's and Maris Stella Negombo which concluded at Darley Road yesterday. In reply to Maris Stella's score of 252. The Josephians recovered from 43 for 3 wickets to score 273. Maris Stella in their second innings scored 116 when stumps were drawn.

Maris Stella - 252 and 116 (Ishan Mutalip 26, Ashu de Silva 20; Shiraz Illiyas 3 for 35, Ranesh Perera 3 for 13, Chandana Aravinda 2 for 28)

St. Joseph's - 273 (Chandana Aravinda 83, Thivanka de S. Wijeratne 50, Dion Melder 23, Hashan Goonetileke 22; Dinusha Ratnasiri 2 for 19, Harsha Perera 2 for 17, Shanaka Silva 2 for 34)

-MSA

Draw at Katugastota

St. Anthony's and Wesley figured in a relatively high-scoring draw at Katugastota yesterday. Notwithstanding the interruptions from the weather, a result never looked possible as bat triumphed over ball. On the first day opener Nuwan Ratnayake (114 with 12 fours) and left hander Tyronne de Silva (62 with 9 fours) combined in a century stand in their imposing total of 281 for 7. Paceman Eric Joseph had a four wicket haul.

Despite the loss of their star bat and skipper Maharoof for a second ball 'duck', Wesley showed they had plenty of depth in their batting. Almost all the top order contributed with Makalanda top scoring with an unbeaten 43.

Once more the inadequacies of the Antonian bowlers was there for all to see.

St. Anthony's - 281 for7 dec. (N. Ratnayake 114, T. de. Silva 62, P. Ranawaka 16, H. Perera 29, M. Rikaz 14, A. Ariyaratne 15; E. Joseph 4 for 62, S. Colombage 2 for 70)

Wesley - 233 for 7 at close (I. Fernando 27, A. Toussaint 23, I. Waduge 33, N. Samith 35, E. Joseph 13, P.Makalanda 43 n.o, A. Shabbar 24 n.o; J. de. Silva 2 for 52, P. Ekanayake 2 for 30)- A.K.

No decision at Raddoluwa

The inter-school cricket match between Raddoluwa MV and St. Aloysius Galle which concluded yesterday at Raddoluwa ended in no decision. The feature of the match was the three half centuries two for St. Aloysius from Devindra Jayasekera and Ruwan Ratnatileke and the other by Niran Seneviratne of Raddoluwa MV.

St. Aloysius - 265 (Devindra Jayasekera 77, Ruwan Ratnatileke 50, Nirosh Welihinda 28; Chinthaka Kulasinghe 5 for 53, Gayan Silva 2 for 50)

Raddoluwa MV - 198 for 7 at close (Niran Seneviratne 74 n.o., Heshan de Silva 15, Charith Kodikara 22, Chamikara Silva 14, Chinthaka Kulasinghe 41; Dilan Janaka 2 for 48) -MSA 

Panadura take upperhand

Two half centuries one by Charitha Buddika and the other by Tharanga Priyadharshana helped Panadura SC to score 296 and gain a first innings lead over Tamil Union on the second day of the Under 23 division one quarter final cricket match being played at the BOI grounds in Katunayake. Tamil Union in the second innings were 38 for 2 at close. The match will be continued at 9.30 p.m. today.

Tamil Union 120 and 38 for 2 at close (D. Ranatunge 25; Charitha Buddika 1 for 18, Yaditha Diluk 1 for 18)

Panadura - 296 (Charitha Buddika 51, Tharanga Priyadharshana 56, Sampath Deshabandu 49, Dilruwan Perera 31, Anjula Perera 29, Yaditha Diluk 25 n.o.; S.Perera 4 for 73, Ranga Dias 2 for 62, Lassana Dias 2 for 4) -MSA


CCC on track for full points 

Colombo Cricket Club were heading for full points against Matara CC at the end of the second days play in their under 23 quarter final match that was continued at the Saravanamuutu Stadium yesterday. 

In repy to the CCC score of 229, Matara were dismiised of a paltry 86 with I. Ratnayaka capturing 5 for 25. 

Batting a second time, CCC were 144 for 3 at stumps and enjoyed a lead of 287 runs with six wickets in tact. 

CCC - 229 and 144 for 3 (P.Seneviratne 60 n.o., D. Ranaweera 33, T. Mendis 42).

Matara CC - 86 (R. Nirmal 25, M. Kandage 23, I. Ratnayaka 5 for 25, N. Rupasinghe 3 for 25 ). 

(BM)


Bloomfield set for outright win over Galle CC today 

Bloomfield were heading for an outright win against Galle CC in their under 23 quarter final match at Braybrooke Place yesterday. 

Galle CC - 157 (P. Kumara 24, H. Wijesinghe 24, K. Gangodawila 2 for 32, K. Lokuarachchi 2 for 1, D. Maharage 2 for 6) and 67 for 4 (D. Bahar 30, D. Perera 2 for 7) 

Bloomfield - 235 (S. Rodrigo 20, R.C. Ruwan 59, R. Peiris 45, K. Lokuarachchi 25, U. Weerasinghe 30, V. Perera 6 for 65, M. Priyanga 2 for 24) BM. 


Cops out to drown Sailors 

Police SC, who made a late rally in the Caltex 'A' League second-leg take on the rugged Navy in a President's Trophy K.O., final match, at Longdon Place, today. Kick-off at 5 p.m.

With the prevailing conditions it should turn out to be a forwards battle. The sailors though taking the field as underdogs are no pushover side. Fit and strong they are sure to give the Cops a good run.

Police with the return of Norman Silva has helped the team to play with better co-ordination. They gave a close run to Kandy SC in the league championship a close run at Nittawela. Police should have the edge.

On Friday: CR & FC after being beaten by Havies in the second-leg by a wide margin but did well to topple their traditional rivals 21-16 in a rousing contest. CR meet Army in the semi-final on Oct. 16.

Former Sri Lanka stalwart, Ajit Abeyratne, has taken over CR's coaching.

CR's forwards play showed much improvement - thanks to Ajit. 

(B.W)



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