Rover pinpoints…

No contracts signed yet

The Sri Lankan cricketers are a worried lot, since their contracts have not been renewed yet with the officials playing merry hell according to information received by Rover. Reason? No money. Then how come clubs dole out tidy sums. Could it be a vote catching issue? Money is rolling in due to the cricketers' efforts not the officials.

Talking through their hat

A recent article written in the newspapers, praising the joint venture of conducting a racing meet in Katukurunda, has raised a lot of eyebrows. Sporty indeed why cannot others follow suit. How can the Sri Lanka Association of Motor Sports (SLAMS) jointly hold a meet when they are out to judge any wrong doings. Nothing has come out of the Ratnapura disaster. But the loud mouth who made a big fuss of conducting cycling meets in between car races is now keeping silent, one wonders why? Another point Rover wishes to stress is how the Chairman of SLAMS who is a participant is allowed to hold office? Rover has nothing against him. In reality he should resign.

Hats off to the Minister

It is learnt that the Minister of Sports has brought in a motion in parliament to stop Coaches from holding office as Presidents of the controlling bodies. Sir not only the AAA but other sports associations are doing the same. Sir you should also deprive Coaches holding Vice Presidents posts too and take remedial measures to bar selectors as well. Rover learns with the idea of getting over the issue Big Mouth and his able assistant is intending to hold a press conference and announce that they have resigned as coaches. It would be better to deprive former coaches too from holding office, since they opt to side their pupils. Could the former sports boss be pulling strings?

Free rides for media personnel

First it was to Dambulla, then to Chilaw and now to Galle. What is the aim and why squander this money? For returns no doubt. Talk of the town is that the way the money is being spent they might be broke by next month.

No sponsors

It is a crying shame that the Cricket Board of Sri Lanka has failed to get a sponsor for the three-match Test series between Sri Lanka and England. How come Sanath was told to skip practices and come over to Galle to attend the Press Conference on Monday February 19?

I am fit says Murali

I am, fit to play says Murali, supported by Alex but an official of the Cricket Board wants the all clear from a Military doctor. Murali triumphed in the end.

Looked after well

The three cricket board officials: T.S, A.T and N.P, who attend the ICC meeting in Australia were, according to Rover, Given £225 each per day. One wonders how much the local board gave them to go there in the first place.

Two chaperones

Two Chaperones went to the Asian Junior Squash championships in Pakistan for 4 players. One picked by the Federation and the other picked by the Minister on the protest of a parent of a player where everything, according to Rover, was on the house for the second.

Only for their catchers

The veteran Commentator had demanded that he be given the chance to give ball by ball commentaries on the SLBC, since his boss too will be present on this occasion on the first day of the first Test in Galle. Finding favour he was seen presenting a handbook prepared for this, the England tour to persons of his choice while many of the media were deprived of same. How cheeky it looked. Over to president.

Walls have ears

A leading figure of a daily newspaper was told by a senior official of the Cricket Board, that whoever objects, Aravinda de Silva will play in all three Test matches against England since he as a senior and will be able to advice Sanath. What power they have, or are the selectors being taking for a ride, as seen by the inclusion of a cricketer for his third stint against the visiting team.

Could this be true?

The Sri Lankan cricketers currently engaged in the first Test against England in Galle have been told to share their rooms in the hotel they are staying in as more accomodation is needed for officials and their guests?

Will Thomians dominate?

By M. Shamil Amit

The Royal Thomian Big Match will be played for the 122nd time at the SSC grounds on March 1, 2 and 3. This encounter cannot be matched by any of the other big encounters for tradition and entertainment.

Come March, the SSC grounds will take on a carnival atmosphere for three days as the much awaited 'Battle of the Blues' gets into full swing.

Players of yesteryear and old boys, whether from here or abroad, will converge and keep the school ties refreshed. All those present will be eager to know as to who will be the first millennium winner in this encounter.

Both Royal and S. Thomas' have given top class players to the National team. Few names which come to mind are the de Saram's, Gunesekeras, P.I.Peiris, Michael Tissera, Anura Tennekoon, Duleep Mendis, Ranjan Madugalle, C.T.A.Schafter, the list goes on and on. S. Thomas' will try hard to emulate the famous victory of 1999 where, after giving Royal the upper hand they pulled off a dramatic win by four wickets. During the last five years the Thomians have won twice while Royal's last win was in 1991 under the captaincy of Rohan Iriyagolla. The series now stands at 32 wins each. This year the Thomians have the edge and are unbeaten this season and they showed their fighting spirit in their last match against St. Peter's. From a hopeless situation they fought back to draw the match while on the other hand the Royalists have been unfortunate though winning two matches this season, they have also lost two. Their batting has not clicked despite having capable batsmen who could them a big score. Come what may, both captains are confident and the spectators will be able to witness a keen tussle for supremacy in the true Big Match spirit.

Speaking to the Sunday Times, Thomian skipper Zakir Kanaka said, "We have a strong side and eight of last year's players are doing service this year and we are confident."

Meanwhile Royal skipper Dhanushka Perera said, "Though we have lost two matches this season, the boys are not discouraged. The Big Match is a different game and we will fight to the last and will leave no stone unturned in our efforts to win," further he emphasised that Ganganath Ratnayake's absence will be felt badly. (Ganganath is in Bangladesh with the Under 17 national team for the Junior Asia Cup). "However we are in for an interesting encounter with both teams sure to give of their best".

The Royalists are led by third year coloursman Dhanushka Perera, a left hand batsman who has scored over 600 runs this season and who has taken over 50 wickets. The side will depend a lot on him. He is also the opening batsman of the side, so he should give a bright start to the side. His deputy is third year coloursman Andrew Perera, an attacking right hand batsman and he is the wicketkeeper of the side. He has scored over 450 runs and has over 40 victims to his credit. These two will be well supported by Milinda Thotiwilage, who is a good allrounder, Amila Kariyawakarana, Shafraz Saldin and Menuka Keenawinna. The Thomians are led by fourth year colursman Zakir Kanaka, an aggressive middle order batsman who has scored over 400 runs this season. He is also the wicketkeeper of the side with over 40 victims to his credit. His deputy is fourth year coloursman Meshad Peiris, the hero in 1999. He is a right hand hard-hitting batsman, who has scored over 650 runs this season.He is a player with a lot of experience and he will be the batsman the Royalists will have to keep a close watch on. Openers Heshan Peiris and Aruna Bandaranayake are expected to give a good start with Jeevan Mendis and Dilshan Gunawardene in support.

Women join the scrum

By Tania Fernando and Laila Nasry

A girl's place at a rugby match was almost always in the stands. Nose powdered, hair in place and dressed to high heaven she was seen daintily waving a flag while her man battled it out below. Well those days are long gone for women. Following their boardroom counterparts, vying for equality in another of man's fields, this time the playing field, after having traded the customary comfort and shade of the stands have been invaded to lock horns in the scrum by the weaker sex.

The establishing of an all girl rugger team was on a request made by the International Rugby Board (IRB) that was met with a demand. "We had a request from the International Rugby Board (IRB) to start a girls team," the Manager of the Central Province Rugby team Mr S.V.S. Liyanage said. Thus a notice was put at the Kandy Sports Club in Nittawela around September 2000 calling for likely contenders.

He said that the response was pretty good and that they were surprised that there were those females as young as even 18 years willing to come forward for the game. In order to further promote the game they have commenced training programmes for the Physical Training Instructors in the schools. "That way the teacher advises the students and thereafter we visit the school to given them a better understanding", Mr. Liyanage said.

"We saw the notice and having always loved rugby thought we'd give it a try," the enthusiastic girl ruggerites said. Having done athletics and played netball the transition to rugby was not difficult. Most of them have a family member who is involved in the game and therefore there was support for them to pursue this.

Initially trained by Ananda Kasturiarachchi the coaching was later taken over by ex Kandy S.C. rugby player Priyantha Gunaratne. " It was like coaching a real small kid to play rugby. We started first by introducing tap rugger to them."

He said that unlike the boys they get tired faster, but they have started weight training in order for them to build their stamina.

"It was all fun at the beginning," the girls say. "We had a lot of drills which were like games which we enjoyed thoroughly." the girls said.

Tap rugger and games went on for a good one month before the girls got bored and wanted more action. However tackling was still to be introduced. "We thought them the smother technique which was where instead of a tap the opponent would be smothered.

However the gutsy girls were not impressed and imposed upon the coach to teach them to tackle. With it came all the rough and tumble. "Of course our bodies hurt but we try not to dwell on it," was there response. "In time we learn to ignore the pain".

Although they have been at practice for about five months, last Sunday when they played against the Sabaragamuwa team for the Denzil Kobbekaduwa Challenge Shield they lost to their opponents. "Those girls were small compared to us, and they could even creep through our legs", said Sanjeewani Swarnathilake, the Vice Captain of the team, adding that now they know how much more they have to improve and what their shortcomings are.

"It was the first time we actually played in public. There were a lot of hoots from the spectators which was making us nervous", the girls said.

Today Sri Lanka has three all girl rugby teams in Kandy, Sabaragamuwa and Ruhuna and is trying to introduce the game to the other districts.

The girls say to those who would like to join but are scared. "Dont be scared, its a lot of fun and in time you will learn to enjoy it".

Whoever said that Rugby is a rowdy's game played by gentlemen couldn't have got it more wrong.

The Team that played at the Denzil Kobbekaduwa Challenge Trophy: Savitra Wijesinghe, Sashikala Thalagahawatte, Subashini Wijeratne, Swarnathilake, Tharangani Abeyratne, Sagarika Ubeysinghe, Champa Jayasekera.

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