Mora reign supreme
Moratuwa University (Mora) engineered a stunning victory on the Beira Lake yesterday rowing a straight course to victory in both Men’s and Women’s categories. Their rivals University of Colombo failed to score even a single point in the men’s events, losing at times only by seconds. Mora scored 42 points — nil in Men’s events while the ladies’ events saw the two varsity teams battle it out.
The Moratuwa Ladies team
Mora men’s team once again proved to be the superior lot, with clean sweeps and long strokes which left the Colombo’s A four team chasing after a lost dream. Clocking in 3.41 minutes Mora team ‘A’ comprising of Joy Nitharshanan, Suneth Chamara, Charles Leo, Visal Achintha, and Dasun Madushan took a head start to their well deserved celebrations. With clean sweeps Mora A pair stroked straight to victory in 3.51minutes.
The only saving grace for the Colombo men was their strong Graduate four who kept their long record of victory against Mora. Although no points are given the alumni of both universities take immense pride in rowing for their alma mater.
Men’s team in action at the University Regatta held at the Beira Lake - Pix by M.D. Nissanka
Colombo ladies however gave a good fight for the shield even after a last minute set back of one of their final crew members falling ill. Colombo A pair, Zylwa Gajanayake and W.R.T. Anandawansha kicked hard victory in 4.57minutes while the B four also sailed through to score a victory at 4.36minutes. However Mora ladies once again dominated the waters wining the ladies four the penultimate event of the regatta. Pushing forward from about 500m the team E.U Hawasiliyan, B.A.S.W. Chandrarathna, H.G.U. Imega and H.K.G. Anurudda kept a good lead till they finished the race in 4.28 minutes.
Mora reigned supreme from the beginning winning Mens ‘A’ Sculls (Mubarak Manzoor), ‘B’ Skull (Visal Achintha) ‘A’ pair (Charles Leo, Charuka Kavinda) and ‘B’ four, (Samantha De Silva, Thilina Thotahewa, Mubarak Manzoor, Charuka Kavinda).