Blockbuster as CH confront CR today 

By Bernie Wijesekera

This match should turn out to be a real blockbuster between the respective forwards, who possess the strength and weight to be in contention. The team that has the stamina to the bitter end should tilt the scales in their favour. Both teams are evenly matched. 

The Maitland Crescent Club, won the trophy last season defeating Havelocks S.C 7-0 after a gruelling contest, will be fielding virtually their 'A' div. team, led by that hardy No. 8 Shyam Subaullah.

CH in the semis won well agaisnt Navy 17-6. But it was not a cakewalk as the sailors put on tremendous pressure on their opponents. It was CH's better rugby skills that proved the winning factor.

But in today's game against the red shirts they will have to play with better co-ordination and run the ball and play to a better game plan. According to their coach M. D. Ifthikar it should turn out to be a close contest against two evenly matched sides. CH will miss the services of Saranga Jayakody who will be out for the entire season due to a serious ankle injury. Ifthikar said it doesn't matter who wins but let's play hard and clean and produce exciting rugby.

The Longden Place club will be led by fullback Sumith Premantha a utility player who has the ability to form the overlap with his dazzling runs. Besides their 'eight', the red shirts threes have the ability to run the ball. Winger Anjula Weerakkody, Irosh Fernando, A. Wijeratne and C. Perera have the speed to pierce the CH defence. CH's Milinda Jayasinghe and CR's Chanaka Perera from the base are two of the best at this level, will be a treat to watch. It should do well how the respective halves combination move the ball with the backs to get the edge in this battle between the forwards.

CR won the under 24 title in 1997 under Asanga Rodrigo, who now dons the Lankan jersey as an exciting utility player.

This tournament is organized by the Western Province RFU and being sponsored by Hameedias. The chief guest will be Hussain Saadiq Hamid, Director, Hameedias. CR, in the semis beat Havelocks S.C. They are being coached by Asanga Seneviratne.

The Plate final betwen Old Zahirans and Police S.C. will precede the Cup final. This match, too will be keenly contested. The blue shirts, who dominated the game in the past in the local fraternity are making a determined effort to revive the game. They beat Tri Star Apparel in the semis with a set of green horns will be concerned in the finish.

The Old Zahirians did well to edge out newcomers Old Cambrians in a rousing contest - 10-8 to enter the finals. In that game fly half M. Rinaz and M. Fazmi stood out. O.Z. is being assisted by former Police and Sri Lanka front row forward Ibrahim (tanker) Hamid. Though not the coach, Hamid is a source of inspiration to the youngsters with his knowhow.

Teams: 

Cup final:- CH and FC (from) J. Ranaweera, R. Gunawardena, Sujeewa Cooray, Sameera Silva, F. Ibrahim, K. Seneviratne, B. Jayasekera, R. Deen, R. Atukorale, S. Subaullah (Capt). Milinda Jayasinghe, M. Tuan, D. Wijeratne, Wekadapola, M. Bangsa, Lasantha Wijesuriya, B. Silva. 

CR and FC:- D. Pullikuttiarachchi, D. Rahim, C. Hewawasam, Shahan de Silva, Anthony, G. Dissanayake, Pavithri Fernando, S.Perera, C. Perera, R.Faiz, A.Weerakody, Irosh Fernando, A.Wijeratne, C.Perera, Sumith Premantha (Capt).

Wimbledon '99 Flashback (Ladies Singles)

By Aubrey Kuruppu

Martina Hingis, the 1997 champion, unaccompanied for the first time by her mother Melanie, made a hasty exit. Jelena Dokic, ranked 129th in the world, made a little bit of history by putting out the top seed 6/2, 6/0 in just 54 minutes. It was humiliating and humbling for Hingis.

Venus Williams, the protege of Althea Gibson, the first black woman to win at Wimbledon, went the furthest. However in the quarters, she ran into a tennis legend, Steffi Graf, who just about prevailed in a tension-filled three setter 6/2, 3/6, 6/4. Suddenly beauty, charisma and dynamism had given way to consistency, mental toughness and that indefinable something called class.

Dokic thoroughly enjoyed herself, beating Mary Pierce 6/4, 6/3 in the fourth round to enter the last eight. Once there, she succumbed to the power play of the unseeded qualifier Alexandra Stevenson 6/3, 1/6, 6/3. If Dokic had done enough already, Stevenson went a step further, becoming the first unseeded woman to make it to the last four.

What of the reigning champion Jana Novotna who is celebrated for having chocked in that final at Wimbledon against Graf and, then, for crying on the shoulder of the Duchess of Kent. She did make her way, a trifle unobtrusively to the round of eight before losing to Davenport 6/3, 6/4. She was broken by Davenport in the opening game and from then on the writing was on the wall. Davenport never wavered and, under pressure, it was a tame effort by Novotna.

So to the semi final in which Graf met Marijana Lucic while Davenport had an intersting match up against Alexandra Stevenson. Unsurprisingly, Graf dropped the firt set 6/7, but came back to beat Lucic 6/4, 6/3 in the next two. Lucic had probably shot her bolt having come thus far and when Graf raisd her game, she had very little to offer. Davenport, by contrast, had the easiest of matches as Stevenson, who had been most impressive thus far, succumbed to a bout of centre court nerves.

Seven time champion Steffi Graf was the popular favourite, but, her path to the final had not been silken smooth. Davenport's consistency had smoothened her journey to the final. This was only her second grand slam final for the 1998 US open winner. More recently, Graf had prevailed in three sets over her rival at the French Open. Graf at 30 was conceding seven years to her Junior Davenport.

Devenport's game plan was simple in both thought and execution. Graf is noted for her formidable forehand and Davenport concentrated for the most part on the former's much weaker backhand. Under pressure, it broke down. At the start, Graf had problems with the slice on the Davenport serve. By the seventh game, Graf was getting more into the match. However, towards the end of the opening set, Davenport was playing more closely to the top of her form.

Davenport was perceived to be a little bit deceiving. She wasn't getting a high percentage of first serve in. Yet, all of sudden, she would pull off a great shot. Games went with serve until 5 all in the second set. Graf seemed to have regained the initiative. But it was not that she had stepped up a gear; simply that her opponent was making a few mistakes. Graf was certainly the more athletic; Davenport the less mobile, and she came up with some wonderful shots. Ultimately, she didn't really meet the challenge as she went down 7-5 in the second set to hand Davenport the title.

To be sure, the final didn't go the distance. Yet it was engrossing tennis and some of the rallies thrilling, even gripping. 

The Olympic champion Davenport had not made it past the quarter final in her six previous attempts. But this was a richly deserved triumph for Lindsay Davenport who went through the tournament without dropping a set a feat even the mighty Pets Sampras has not achieved.

One will never know what effect the rain interruption in the tenth game had on the eventual result. There was mental pressure on Davenport at that stage, as she was 4 - 5 down but 30-15 on her serve. When they came back it was Davenport who held sway. 

Of interest to Sri Lankans was the win in the doubles final by the Indian pair of Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathy. For the last couple of years they have been at, or near, the top and this win coming on top of the success at the French open was but the icing on the cake. Would that Sri Lankan tennis players be half as successful.

Rover pinpoints…

Any athlete caught for drug abuse, faces suspension along with his coach. But it is not so in Sri Lanka, where the coach goes spot free. How come?

Do not contest.

A leading senior cricketer Rover learns had phoned a contestant for the Cricket Board elections and had stated, Uncle, why are you contesting after the nominations closed. Rover also learns that he had been told to withdraw his nomination for this year but to contest next year. The contestant had told him off, You play cricket and let me do what I want. He hung up.

Not played Cricket

Who is this official elected at the Cricket Board AGM, who has not played the game at top level. Rover was told as to how this official was declared in just one match by his captain for his constant pleading in a Daily News Trophy match and played no further part fielding just a few overs.

How come?

How come a vice President and the Assistant Treasurer of a popular sport is allowed to sign cheques ahead of the top notchers. Is it done deliberately.

All gone missing

A media Official of the popular sport, when reappointed to this post was wondering what had happened to his room, computer, fax machine, telephones local and foreign gone missing and pushed into a new room which has his hands tied not knowing whether he is coming or going.

Four at dinner

Four of the leading Sri Lankan Cricketers were invited for dinner at a leading hotel, where they were housed in with the host being one who was a contender for the top post at the AGM.

Coach booted out

The duly appointed coach was booted out, it says it was the Executive Committee decision taken on Sunday June 11. How come the Exco. met on this day when the AGM was held. Who is trying to take whom for a ride. Furthermore, one wonders the delay in telling the coach that he was removed. What's happening to the one who orders his removal when a cloud hangs over his head too.

Deprived of captaincy

A schoolgirl from a leading school in Colombo in the lower age group, who has all the qualifications to captain the basketball team is being deprived of the captaincy. Rover learns it has been done with the non-participation of this age group team in the tournaments conducted by the Sri Lanka schools Basketball Association. The parent of this school girl is contemplating in going to courts on this issue.

Fair elections

The winning candidate of the top most post of a leading sport in Sri Lanka, has gone on record stating that he never faced a fair election as the one conducted in getting elected to this top spot. Rover wishes to know whether the other elections he contested were not fair.

Disqualification

How come a coach is elected to the same sport, which describes him as a sports dealer Do this not disqualification.

What madness

The technical and judges in athletics officials exam was held in 1997, and Rover learns certificates were given away by the Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports at his Ministry Office at the Race Course on Friday June 23. What a craze indeed after three years. What about the amended rules.

Back to the track

The women athletes ran at her high speed when the championships specially was held for them organised by a former top class athlete now attached to the Sports Ministry. After a lapse of one year, it was held during the weekend at the Sugathadasa Stadium, but only a handful of women athletes took to the track. Why conduct it for the sake of conducting it?

Against the rules

The under 17 cricket tournament now in progress, conducted by the Sri Lanka Schools Cricket Association, is favouring certain schools. Normally a school who plays another school in the first round of this round-robin tournament meets the same school only in the final. But it has not been so. 

The semi-final should have been the winners of Group A meeting the winners of Group C, while the winners of Group B meet the winners of Group C. This has not been adhered to. It has also been noticed the close relationships which exists between officials and coach of these schools.

Not done ole boy!

With the Pakistan cricket team now in Sri Lanka several local journalists have been eagerly waiting to cover their tour for foreign papers, news agencies, etc., in order to earn some foreign exchange.A certain journalist has been overlooked to cover the tour due to some underhand dealings adopted by a certain individual. Certainly not done ole' boy.

Big mouth

A Big Mouth coach is scaring winning youngsters against his charges at the path which is green. The young tennis players are scared out of their wits at the shouting of this Big Mouth that they lose their games. It looks as if Big Mouth wants only the players under his tutelage to win.

What went wrong with Royal ?

Reading the Game 

Basic Mistakes:

[1] When behind the opponent's score and you are offered penalties, TAKE THEM! Here Royal erred. They were playing to a fixed plan. When the need arose, they should have changed their plan. Had they taken the 2 penalties in front of the

posts the scores at half time would have been 17-12 [Royal].

[2] The opposing three quarters were standing up and marking the Royal threes closely, and the Royal threes were unable to make ground. What was the answer? There were times when the Trinity threes were off-side, but this should not deter Royal from countering them. The fly-half should judiciously kick ahead or 'chip' over the opposing threes with his 2 centres going at full speed and making sure they collect the "chipped" ball. This should be effective because the opposing centers would have had to turn back and run, which is difficult. This would result in the Trinity centres checking their advance. Once the Royal fly half is satisfied that his opponents have slowed their pace, then it is time to run-the-ball. In this game Royal made the mistake of either kicking too deep or not chipping. Good possession could have been better used.

(3) The full back played a 'gutty' game. But he was well tested. Knowing Quentin Israel, he used the high kick to maximum.

Royal should have planned for their wingers to drop back to support the full back. Very often the Trinity players caught up with the full back. 

(4) The Trinity fly-half was relatively slow. So it was left to the Royal coach to sort out his strategy here. The clue lies in the coach's plan for the opposing centres.

[5] How do you contain the Trinity 'fliers' - their wing three quarters? 

(a) Starve them of ball [b] make them receive 'late' ball. [c] have an additional forward in the three quarter line at line-outs and drop 2 forwards back (as Trinity did) in rucks and mauls.

[6] FORWARDS: The mistake here was the sudden changes in the pack, with Dushan Leuke playing as 2nd row and Vinodh Ratnayake playing as flanker! Being a forward I felt that there was a deficiency in 3rd row defense. More thinking here for the 2nd Llg. Let's give Quentin a surprise!

[7] When awarded a penalty close to the posts, since the Royal forwards are heavier and strong, it would have been far more effective for a short tap to be taken and a ruck formed from which Royal could have created a maul and gone over line. 

[8] The Trinity forwards and three quarters played at a tremendous pace. They were over anxious. Royal could have used this to "force" penalties. And many a penalty would try have been awarded to Royal. Royal could have kept the ball with their big forwards and 'waited' for Trinity to err.

(9) I also noticed that whereas Trinity used every opportunity to drink some water when a try was scored or a penalty taken, Royal did not use these opportunities to quench their thirst !! These are not times like when we played rugby. 

With the heat almost unbearable, I am sure readers will have seen how club players use such times for drinking water and they feel fresh and are sort of 'rejuvenated'.

WHAT about Trinity?

Well done Trinity - a fine win. Well planned and executed. What about the return? They are a confident lot and quite rightly too. Quentin will be more relaxed with a 7 point lead. Trinity need to slow down their game. After all they are school boys. In the 2nd half I noticed that they were slightly out of breath! Their defense was good, but in the 2nd half quick thinking by Harin Kaluarachchi, creating the overlap and coming round again, resulted in 2 excellent tries. Trinity's defense was caught napping! We all look forward to another exhilarating game.

Views of Bryan Baptist

Racecourse - A Colombo Municipal Initiative

The racecourse in the past the centerpiece for limited Olympic sports but not being able to make it the kind of place that it ought to have given its superb location, the up market real estate value. If one were to visit the grandstand where some of the national sports associations are housed - is in terrible state and dangerous for those occupying this most deplorable building.

The opportunity presented to the CMC to make the racecourse grounds with the expanse of space and its environs. For the first time in its long history the racecource could be developed to a modest Mohti Bagh (India) or a Chula Vista (United States), centres for Olympic sports. Giving top priority to such sports as for the Astro-turfed field hockey and high class cricket ground, skirted by a 400 metre six lane modern track, would thrill sports enthusiasts by providing rare enjoyment of the kind of sports that the CMC is capable of and can easily accomplish.

Additionally, the CMC should refurbish and modernized the grandstand and lease to house national sports associations, prioritizing those sports that Sri Lanka can excel at sub regional level and work upwards. It is a sensible way to address the issue that has been neglected for over twenty-five years. CMC has been the nursery for many popular Olympic sports such as soccer, field hockey, track & field, swimming etc. and cricket - sports enjoyed at National level. Regrettably, CMC has not received the corresponding recognition for providing organized recreation and leisure facilities. The CMC's contributions to sponsoring social level sports and leisure activities are superbly coordinated and must be commended and gratefully acknowledge void of politics in this respect.

The President's initiative must be seen in the light of opportunity for those sports that have better social reach and impact, and once again the CMC given an excellent opportunity to extend this endeavour to the fullest potential. Cheap and selfish lobbying tactics by narrow and vested interests that indulge in other forms of political chicanery to circumvent this important opportunity must not distract the CMC at this crucial juncture to promote municipal sports.

The CMC should invite respected and knowledgeable sports personalities (particularly those who have participated in the sport) form an advisory group to overcome a possible deceitful partisan and vested interests that may hinder CMC progress and/or endeavour. If they do, this great opportunity will be lost forever.

( By Annesley Ferreira In association with C. Vijitha Fernando, Chairman, CMC Mayor's Advisory Committee on Sports & Recreation.)

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