• Farewell to Arjuna
• In brief
• CR & FC played a grand game
• Cager Carnival a big draw

• Singer rugby sevens on September 2 and 3
• Another first by STC
• Colts felicitate Tita Nathanielsz
• Fare thee well, cricketing prince
• Rover pinpoints........
• Meet in honour of Gray
• Arjuna's effort in vain
• Special award for Boys Home
• Doc. Ismail wins Calcutta Medal
• ICC pays tribute to Organisers of Youth World Cup

Lanka Face South Africa in decisive Test

Farewell to Arjuna

By Marlon Fernandopulle

A decisive Test Match and a historic occasion where Sri Lanka's most illustrious cricketing son Arjuna Ranatunge bids farewell to Test Cricket will unfold at the Sinhalese Spots Club ground today as Sri Lanka meets South Africa in the third and final Test.

After a pulsating and nerve wracking second Test where South Africa snatched victory from the jaws of defeat, today's Test is destined to be fought tooth and nail by both sides in a bid to clinch the Test series. Sri Lanka are expected to strengthen their batting with the inclusion of Aravinda de Silva. Apart from Marvin Atapattu and Arjuna Ranatunge, the rest of Lanka's top order have been guilty of constantly performing below expectations.

Skipper Sanath Jayasuriya, Mahela Jayawardena, Russel Arnold, and Kumar Sangakkara must remember that their contribution with the bat is what the team expects.

With the SSC wicket expected to offer plenty of runs the Lankan batsmen will have to capitalise by demonstrating the required temperament and concentration in the centre. Although the wicket will offer more bounce than Asgiriya and Galle, it is expected to be a batsmen-friendly track giving the opportunity to accumulate runs and pile on a sizable total. Paceman Nuwan Zoysa has been ruled out of the game with a hamstring injury, and his place is likely to be fought between rookie Dilhara Fernando and Ruchira Perera. All rounder Kumar Dharmasena is likely to make room for Aravinda de Silva.

South Africa, on the other hand, may go in with an unchanged side including both spinners Adams and Boje. with the wicket being shaved off all its grass to suit Sri Lanka's spin wizard Muralitharan, the South Africans are certain to retain both their spinners. Their medium pacers Pollock, Hayward, Kallis and Kuesner will also be a handful on the bouncy SSC track. The daring fightback in the second Test has got the adrenaline flowing again for Shaun Pollock's team.

Today's Test will bring down the curtain on the career of Arjuna Ranatunge. The 36-year old former Sri Lankan captain who made his debut in the country's inaugural test in 1982 as a schoolboy will make his final appearance on his home ground and in front of his supporters. He is expected to get a standing ovation and a rousing welcome when he walks down the flight of steps from the SSC Pavilion and makes his way to the ground for his final appearance.

His contribution to Sri Lanka cricket during the last 18 years has been immense and unparalleled in the history of the game. Despite his age and burly appearance, the cricketer is still churning out runs for his team. Indeed it is good that he is calling it a day when the champagne is still flowing!

It will only be a fitting tribute if the present captain Sanath Jayasuriya can give Arjuna the honour of leading the side into the field today.

In brief

Ranking tennis

The 15th Annual Junior Ranking tennis championships conducted by the Women's International Tennis Club will be held from August 19 to 29 at its Club courts.

This B Grade Ranking tournament has attracted a lot of participants and attractive prizes will be given away.

Events will be held for boys and girls under 8, 10, 12, 14, 16 and 18 for singles and doubles.

Entries will close with the SLTA on August 5. The tournament will be held from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Last year over 160 players participated.

Open pairs bridge

The open pairs bridge championships played for the Three No Trumps Trophy sponsored by Thomas Cook Travellers Cheques Limited will be held on Sunday, August 20 at Hotel Sirimedura, Seeduwa.

This event is organized by the Ja-Ela Bridge Circle, where prizes and surprises will be galore.

Entries will be accepted by T. Shanmugalingam on 698502 or S.V. Kandasamy on 432049. Outstation participants should contact Cecil Perera on 232160 or 232171.

Bridge Today

The individual event for ranks of Life Masters and above sponsored by Dr. Dilanjan Soysa and the similar event for ranks below Life Masters sponsored by Hatton National Bank Limited will take place today.

This event will be held at the Bridge Federation Headquarters at the Race Course at 9. 30 a.m.

The restricted team event sponsored by D.P. Seehaweera was won by Chelliah's team. Chelliah's team comprised Mrs. Srihari Saravanapavan, Asanka Amerasinghe, Nirosh de Silva. Weera's team finished as runners up followed by H.A. Weerasuriya, Fritsz Perera, S. Thillainadarajah, W.W. Bandularathne.

The third place was won by Anton's team followed by Cecil's, Ashantha's and Brian's. The open pairs event played for the President Cup sponsored by Asokha Jayasinghe was won by H.A. Weerasuriya and S. Thillainadarajah followed by T. Shanmugalingam, W.W. Bandularatne, Brian Rodrigo/Bernard Silva, S.W. Molligoda/Nihal Silva, M. Chelliah/Mrs. Srihari Saravanapavan tied for the fourth place. Twelve pairs participated.

Bold Step

The Billiards and Snooker Association of Sri Lanka with a proud history of over 50 years, having produced the first World Champion the late M.J.M. Lafir in 1973 in Bombay, is now preparing to take another bold step in conducting the National Nine Ball Pool Championships this month.

The Sri Lanka Billiards and Snooker Association is affiliated to the Asian Pocket Billiard Union.

Sri Lanka has been invited 2 males and a female to participate at the forthcoming Asian Pool Ball championships to be held in Singapore later this month. This championships will be a live telecast on ESPN TV channel. A championships to pick Sri Lanka's two male and female representatives to the Singapore tourney will be held this week.

Each affiliated club are requested to nominate two players each to participate in this championships.

Goldi Sands wins title

Goldi Sands Hotel Negombo won the Travel Trade six-a-side cricket title when they beat Kandalama Hotel by 40 runs in the final played at Bambalapitiya.

Sixty five teams participated in this tournament.

Goldi Sands skipper Shiran Miral won the toss and elected to bat and they totalled 87 for 3 with Donald Maximus top scoring with 49 inclusive of 4 sixers.

Goldi Sands - 87 for 3 in 5 overs.

(Donald Maximus 49, Jude Kurera 35).

Kandalama Hotel - 49 all out. (Shiral Miral 3 for 6, Donald Maximus 2 for 9). Shiral Miral was adjudged man of the final and Donald Maximus man of the tournament.

Badminton & Snooker

The annual Talawakelle Tennis Club versus Planters badminton and snooker matches will take place at the Bowie Hall of the Talawakelle Tennis Club on Saturday August 12.

Both teams have former national players doing services for their respective teams.

Susira Lalith top 7s player

K. Susira Lalith of Goldi Sands Hotel was picked as the up and coming player in the Travel Trade 7-a-side football championships played at the Shalika Grounds, Narahenpita.

A.K. Jayasuriya of Kandalama Hotel was picked as the most promising player.

SriLankan Airlines retained the sevens trophy defeating Grand Hotel Nuwara-Eliya by 1 goal to nil in the final.

SirLankan Airlines beat Goldi Sands Hotel by three goals to nil and Grand Hotel Nuwara-Eliya beat Walkers Tours by 2 goals to nil.

In the Plate final, Goldi Sands beat Walkers Tours 1-nil in extra time and Kandalama Hotel beat Eden Garden Hotel two-nil to win the bowl trophy.

Dickson Silva of SriLankan Airlines a former national player won the highest goal scorer's award, scoring 7 goals while D. Dissanayake of Grand Hotel Nuwara-Eliya was picked as the best goal keeper.

CR & FC played a grand game

Army vs CR & FC - CR won by 30pts. to 17 pts. - The Army gave the CR a torrid time in the first half. They led by 11pts. to 10 pts. A gift try to the CR by the Army upset their momentum when centre Harien Perera intercepted a pass in the CR half and darted through to score a fine try. The Army were not alert. Despite their lead at half time the Army seemed to be wearing out. CR coach Laga's plan was to play his big forwards in the first half and wear out the Army smaller made forwards. This was a success as the CR shoved the Army in scrums and they dominated the mauls and rucks with Savantha de Saram leading the way. He was a thorn in the Army - on one occasion, he grabbed the ball from a surprised Army forward.

Came the 2nd half and CR made very effective changes. The more mobile players were substituted and the bigger lads - now a tired lot, were brought in. This changed the pattern of the game and the CR went on the rampage winning ample possession. The Army had their chances but due to inconsistencies in refereeing, they were at the receiving end. I sat with 2 of the most knowledgeable Coaches/Referees in Sri Lanka who were surprised at certain decisions of the Referee which went against the Army!

The CR threes were off-side on many occasions which went unseen. On the other hand, the Army illegally hassled the CR in the lineups which also went unseen!

I believe that corrective action must be taken. Nevertheless the CR played a grand game and won handsomely.

Police vs CH & FC - CH won by 22 pts. to 10 pts. The CH were lucky to win. They led the CH by 10 points to 6 points at half time. They were in control of the game and were playing excellent rugby. They outclassed the CH forward with their robust play and hard tackling. But in the 2nd half the pattern changed. It is a half that will long be remembered as one of the saddest ones in rugby. I do not write of Referees' shortcoming for we are all human - 'to err is human'. This half was one where I, as a loyal supporter of the CH and one of the most senior members of the CH, found hard to believe many decisions made against the Police by this Referee! "Sin-Binning" the same player twice!

I feel that this Referee and the one that blew the CR/Army game should not blow any Services or Police games for a while. It is causing too much heartburn and discouraging players. Tony Amit will do well to heed this advice and appoint others such as S.W. Chang and Jamaldeen, instead, for their next games - however, Jamaldeen must not referee the Police games. I doubt this being implemented.

The Police authorities will have to control their supporters who cast many unkind remarks at the Referee at this game. Even when the Referee was returning to the pavilion I saw them heckling the Referee in front of their superiors. This must stop.

Air Force vs Kandy - Kandy won by 54 pts to 9 pts - Another outstanding performance by Nalaka Weerakkody who was responsible for 34 pts. for Kandy. It was a one-sided game. Kandy are now firing on all cylinders. By the time this article appears the Kandy/CH game will be over. It will be the acid test for Nalaka to come off with a fine performance in this game - against the Table leaders. Kandy will be able to get the better of the CH this time.

Havelocks vs Navy - Havelocks won - Havelocks scored a good win here. The Navy once again came up with a fine performance with their hard tackling. Havelock's trump card continues to be Sanjeewa Jayasinghe. He is a deceptive runner with a fine turn of speed.

The Navy should have worked their three quarter line more. I feel they are shaping well for the Knock-out Tournament.

Cager Carnival a big draw

Basketball which have under gone a very bad period in Sri Lanka is now being made active by the untiring efforts of the members of Sri Lanka Amateur Basketball Federation said Malsiri Perera President SLABF.

SLABF has successfully completed a seven month training programme for children between the ages of 5 years and 13 years. The training was held at FFHQ basketball court, Otter's Aquatic Club Basketball Court and the Carnival with participation of nearly one hundred children was held at Holy Family Convent, Bambalapitiya. The highlights of the event was distribution of ball each for all the participants and giving away Gold, Silver and Bronze medals to some of the best players. This Carnival was conducted jointly by Colombo District Basketball Association said Malsiri.

The second session of the training programme commenced last weekend at Otter's Aquatic Club Basketball Court under the guidance of Nowfel Mahroof, Bernard Silva and Tony Ganlath. The practices are on Saturdays from 4.00 p.m. to 6.00 p.m and on Sundays 7.00 a.m to 9.00 a.m at Otter's A.C.

Mini Basket Ball At Gampaha

By popular demand from the Basket ball loving parents The Sri Lanka Amateur Basketball Federation and Gampaha District Basketball Association have started a training session for children between the ages of 5 years and 13 years at Boys Town, Ragama for nearly 100 children.

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