• Murali haul in Galle
• Rugby skills help CH
• Isipatana down Southern Prov.
• Kandy SC win at will over Navy
• Sydney goes through mood swings 
• Get better rugby coaches at Jnr. level - Daya 
• In brief
• Dambulla Zone champs
• Navy are progressing steadily
• What Price an Olympic representation 
• AFC grants massive sponsorship to Sri Lanka
• Rover Pinpoints
• Doctor Thurairajah to fly Cathay Pacific 
• Lucky to get away from Match Ref.
• 'DS' Old Boys at cricket today
• A Singer Cup of Joy for Lanka

Murali haul in Galle

Channaka de Silva reporting from Galle

The wily right arm off-spinner grabbed 6 for 87 on a turning wicket as South Africa were all out before tea on the third day, 284 runs adrift of Sri Lanka's mammoth 522. 

Veteran right hander Darryl Cullinan played a lone fighting knock as South African wickets tumbled at regular intervals at the other end to complete his 11th Test century - the most by a South African - and remained unconquered in the end. 

In their second innings, South Africa were 112 for 2 at stumps still requiring 172 to avoid an innings defeat. 

Cullinan who was batting overnight on 27, made 114 not out off 231 balls in a determined four-and-half-hour stay and was the only batsman to face Lankan spinners with confidence on a turning track. South Africa who resumed the day on 81 for 2, lost Jacques Kallis in the third over of the day when Murali had him caught bat-pad at silly mid-off by Russell Arnold for 29. 

Murali bowled Jonty Rhodes through the gate with a sharply turning ball while off spinner Kumara Dharamasena playing Test cricket after a two-year absence had Lance Klusener caught at mid-on brilliantly by Upul Chandana, as the visitors took lunch on a dangerous 182 for 6. 

Murali struck after lunch removing skipper Shaun Pollock to complete his 20th five-wicket haul in Test cricket. 

Skipper Sanath Jayasuriya dismissed Nicky Boje while right arm leg-spinner Chandana snatched the two final wickets to complete South Africa's debacle. 

Murali who bowled 41 overs in the first innings, did not look so effective in the second innings probably through exhaustion while South Africans batted with more caution. 

Debutant Neil Mckenzie made 25 before being caught at first slip by Arjuna Ranatunga off Chandana with the total on 58, but South Africa seemed to have things under control when they reached 112 for 1 with opener Gary Kirsten and Jacques Kallis batting sensibly. 

However in the fifth ball of the day's final over Kirsten who had made a match saving 275 against Engalnd last year when they were asked to follow on for first time since their comeback to Test cricket was run out giving Lankans fresh hopes for a victory bid on the fourth day. 

The gritty left-hander who was attempting a second run was turned back by Kallis but failed to beat an excellent throw from mid wicket by Chaminda Vaas to wicket keeper Kumar Sangakkara, Kirsten made 55 in 137 balls with seven fours while Kallis remained unbeaten on 25 with four boundaries.

Sri Lanka First Innings 522 all out (Sanath Jayasuriya 148, Marvan Atapattu 54, Mahela Jayawardena 167, Chaminda Vaas 54). 

South Africa First Innings (81 for 2 overnight) 

Gary Kirsten ct. Sanagakkara b. Muralitharan 12 

(Attempted defence, turning ball took outside edge - 60b, 

80mts, 4x1) 

Neil Mckenzie b. Muralitharan 11

(Stretched to defend, ball sharply turned through 

gate - 57b, 71mts, 4x2) 

Jacques Kallis ct. Arnold b. Muralitharan 29

(Inside edge to pad, caught at silly mid-off - 79b, 86mts, 4x2, 6x1) 

Darryl Cullinan Not out. 114

(231b, 274mts, 4x12, 1x6) 

Jonty Rhodes b. Muralitharan 12

(Defence on back foot, through the gate - 26b, 34mts, 4x1) 

Lance Klusener ct. Chandana b. Dharmasena 19

(Full blooded drive, brilliant catch at mid-on - 37b, 41mts, 4x4) 

Mark boucher b. Muralitharan 0

(Defence on back foot ball spun through gate brushing 

pad - 7b, 10mts) 

Shaun Pollock ct. Dharmasena b. Muralitharan 4

(Swept in air, caught at backward square leg - 37b, 37mts.) 

Nicky Boje ct. Atapattu b. Jayasuriya 2 

(Full-blooded cover drive caught at extra cover - 31b, 30 mts, 4x2) 

Paul Adams, ct. Atapattu b. Chandana 4

(Swept top edge, caught at mid wicket - 22b, 23mts.) 

Makhaya Ntini ct. Ranatunga b. Chandana 8

(Defended, outside edge to first slip - 17b, 15mts., 4x2) 

EXTRAS (b-2, lb-1, nb-10) 13

TOTAL (All out in 99 overs, 355mts.) 238

FALL OF WICKETS: 1 - 25 (McKenzie), 2 - 30 (Kirsten), 

3 - 86 (Kallis), 4 - 119 (Rhodes), 5 - 162 (Klusener), 

6 - 168 (Boucher), 7 - 198 (Pollock), 8 - 213 (Boje), 9 - 223 (Adams) 

BOWLING: Chaminda Vaas 12-6-16-0 (2nb), 

Nuwan Zoysa 4-1-12-0, Kumara Dharmasena 25-5-70-1, 

Muttiah Muralitharan 41-8-87-6 (8nb) , Upul Chandana 14-3-46-2, 

Sanath Jayasuriya 3-0-4-1. 

South Africa second innings 

Gary Kirsten Run out. 55 

(Attempted second run, run out at wicket keeper's end - 137b, 1

60mts, 4x7) 

Neil McKenzie ct. Ranatunga b. Chandana. 25

(Defended off outside edge, caught at first slip - 68b, 86mts., 4x4) 

Jacques Kallis not out. 25

(60b, 63mts., 4x4) 

EXTRAS (lb-4, nb-3). 7

TOTAL (For 2 wkts at stumps, 43.5 overs, 150 mts).....112

FALL: 1-58 (McKenzie), 2-112 (Kirsten) 

BOWLING: Chaminda Vaas 7-2-18-0, Nuwan Zoysa 5-2-11-0, Kumar Dharmasena 8-1-26-0, Muttiah Muralitharan 11-2-20-0 (3nb), Upul Chandana 12-4-29-1, Sanath Jayasuriya 0.5-0-0

Rugby skills help CH

By Bernie Wijesekera

The soldiers were on the offensive for the first 20 minutes when their forwards fought with fire and brimstone with their ferocious play in the loose. The Army forwards showed individual brilliance where No. 8 Dharmapala was most outstanding. If there were any flaws in the Army pack, it was due to lack of co-ordination. This cost them dearly. Army missed a spot kick with the kick-off, but in the 18th minute, off a five-yard scrum, they scored when Dharmapala, the 'man of steel' bulldozed his way over the line for an unconverted try to take the lead. This was the only scoring they did for the entire duration of the game.

In the first half, besides this solitary try, they had three spot kicks which went awry. Then in the tail-end of the second half they were rucking and mauling in the CH '25' and in the process won two five-yard scrums, but the CH defence stood firm.

CH, despite being plagued by injuries or lack of fitness, were minus their seasoned players. To their credit, however, the replacements played their hearts out. Thushara Jayalath was like a beacon in attack of defence. He was supported by Bimal Perera and Duminda de Silva. CH won much of the good ball in the long throws thanks to this 'trio'.

After a few early hiccups CH took control when their threes ran the ball. Their first try was scored by winger Ajit Upawansa, who darted his way for a 30-yard run. Of course it was initiated by Jayalath, who slipped it to scrum half Milinda Jayasinghe, who in turn passed it to Upawansa for that solo run. Nalin Dissanayake added the extra points (7-5).

Dissanayake, just before the short whistle, put over a spot kick to lead 10-5.

Army were rewarded with two penalty kicks, both within kicking range, but Wijesiri and T.A. Silva's kicks lacked direction.

At this stage CH decided to run the ball and scored their second try where Jude Dimitri zig-zagged his way to a corner flag unconverted try to lead 15-5.

It was a keen contest where both sides played hard. But CH with better rugby skills had the edge in the end. It was Army's game at one stage, but their mistakes cost them dearly.

Referee Nizam Jamaldeen.

Isipatana down Southern Prov.

The winners scored their points from two goals, two tries, and a penalty to that of a goal and a try by their Southern counterparts.

Patana led 15-5 at lemons.

For the Havelock Town school winger Dinesh Kumara with a hat-trick of tries stood out for the winners while number eight Anuranga Walpola scored the other, while Roshan Peries converted two of the tries besides putting over a penalty.

For the lads from down South winger K. H. Tharanga and full back Amila Ganegoda scored the two tries.

The Isipatana rugby management and development committee pioneered this encounter with the co-operation of Kumar Abeywardene President of the Southern Province Rugby Union with a view to giving as much exposure to deserving rugby players of the Southern Province.

Kandy SC win at will over Navy

If one was looking for cohesive, open rugby, it was a disappointing display. Even though there was a spate of tries, only one was scored through a back division move. Bandaranaike and Weerakkody, who excelled even as they did last weekend, combined in a slick move for the former to touch down.

Kapila Silva, Bandaranaike (2 tries each), Yapa, Weerakkody and Basnayake touched down for Kandy. Fullback Werakkody put over eight conversions to post 18 points all by himself.

Navy were certainly not disgraced. They were not expected to win but they hustled and harried the Kandy team enough to earn their respect. Hooker Piyaratne sneaked through for their solitary try while full back Sham Pradeep accounted for the remaining 14 points.

Referee Roshan Deen. -Aubrey Kuruppu

Sydney goes through mood swings 

There is elation at what lies ahead and despair at what scandals and rows have been left behind. 

Surveys suggest that up to half of Sydney's residents are just sick and tired of the whole event. Roll on October, Sydneysiders mumble under their breath, when the Games are over and life can return to normal. 

But then the sun comes out or there is a record performance by an Australian athlete and suddenly the city of four and a half million is preening itself to put on the first big show of the 21st century. 

"Sydney has been negative towards it. Everyone wants to leave the city," said 23-year-old Jolene Allan. "They think the traffic is going to be really bad and there'll just be too many people. "They'd rather rent out their house than stay here." 

Allan is not concerned, however, with all the negative hype. "I just think it happens with every Olympics," she said. "You just have to take it as it comes." 

Get better rugby coaches at Jnr. level - Daya 

By Bernie Wijesekera

Daya, a versatile sportsman from Dharmaraja, Kandy, excelled at boxing, hockey, cricket and rugby. As a pugilist he took part in the Ind-Ceylon Schools' meet. Today rugby is his first love and is contributing much for the sport be it at the Police and to the country in general.

Two of his sons are donning the Royal jersey.

Asked for his comments for dropping in standards at national level, he said! "There are many areas for this downward trend. It has to be corrected at grassroots level. The youngsters need proper guidance. They must be taught the proper skills to achieve success on the longer run. Just running around to gain physical fitness is not the main ingredient. The modern methods must be imparted for a better future. The past is all forgotten. Today even newcomers China, is gaining much ground. "There must be coaches, who are dedicated, have the know-how, the ability to read the game. How many of our present day coaches at the junior level are conversant with the basics put aside schools" he queried. 

"Today there are more schools taking part unlike during my time. Winning and losing is secondary. We must focus our attention to reach higher echelons by working hard with a joint effort. 

Never judge from mere appearances. If there is a uniform method of coaching all round then there is no problem at the higher level. This is the crying need of the hour", Jayasundera added. 

Quite a number of knowledgeable and keen students of the game agreed to the comments made by Jayasundera.

Immense talent The rugby development committee, chaired by Y.C. Chang, is striving to do his best at the junior level especially among the rural schools where there is immense talent. 

What they need is proper coaching methods. Rugby is a beautiful sport played with skill but not with mere physical strength, to hurt your opponent. It isn't rugby. To overcome the deteriorating standards, the Rugby Union must get a highly qualified foreign coach, who has the modern skills in coaching to train the locals. This is something that Chang is striving to do for a better tomorrow. It may cost money, but worth its investment rather than getting drop outs.

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