Final trial to pick SAF swimmers

The final team is expected to be released during the week after the National Selection Committee sits to review the results of the trials. No criteria has been released so far as to how the team will be formed. This is probably due to logistical constraints, the best combination to form the relay teams, etc. 

Meanwhile, the local aquatic sports looks set to hear a lot of action with Sri Lankan participation at three overseas events in the coming months. Besides the SAF games, Sri Lanka will also be represented at the inaugural Asian Schools Swimming Championships this month. 

A further team of swimmers, divers, water polo players and synchronized swimmers will also be vying for honours at the Asia Pacific Championships in Hong Kong later this month. 

Kandy sports club's invincibility not at stake

By Aubrey Kuruppu

Playing away from home has sometimes caused the champions to stammer, and stutter a bit. Not any longer, Weerakkody's side has a clean state both at home and away. The stiffer tests and sterner battles will come when they are up against the Army for one, and the CH for another.

The Havies were roled over with commendable ease first time round. The one bright spark amidst the encircling gloom was that showpiece try produced (more properly, conjured up) by the dashing Havelocks Skipper Sanjeeva Jayasinghe. Alas, one swallow does not make a summer! However one hopes the Park Club back division will have less recourse to the boot and instead feed Jayasinghe so that his try-scoring potential can be topped. Leonard de Zylva, an utility player, is another who needs watching. The Havies have also recruited a couple of talented schoolboys.

It has been Kandy SC's towards that have contributed lavishly to their victories. They provide the power and the possession. Jayasena, Basnayake, Jayasuriya and Buksh have been in the forefront of Kandy's efforts. Omar has provided the thrust.

Funnily enough, for a team that contains so many National players in the back division, Kandy has fretted and fumed many a time and failed to produce the expected tries. Part of the reason could be that the ball does not reach the speedy Bandaranaike and the difficult-to-stop Hettiarachchi often. Centre Vithanage is quick off the mark and likes to take on the opposition. Yet he invariably comes off second best. Niceties of three quarter play such as the dummy, the scissor, the side-step, the change of pace (sudden acceleration, a La John Burrows) seem to be dying arts. 

Fly half turned centre Mallikarachchi, too, has not produced the tries his talent should. Scrum half Dilip Chelvam has been quite impressive, and has paired off well with Ibrahim. Weerakkody remains a threat joining the line at times and showing basic speed. On occasion, his kicking has been quite magical. However at other times he has shown his fallibility.

Kandy, then, should win comfortably and enhance their prospects of winning the trophy. Yet one hopes that the Havies would give as good as they get and share in a thrilling contest.

Rover pinpoints

What a way to promote rugby!

Another club in promoting the sport has decided to make it free for school children to witness matches played on their home grounds . A good deed indeed!

From frying pan to fire

Breaking rules

More interim boards

Adding insult to injury, these associations have failed to table their audited accounts to their affiliates at the stipulated time frame before their respective AGM's. 

A tricky job

Chaturanga, Chandri lead swim teams to Singapore

By Annesley Ferreira

The Sri Lanka boys team will be captained by Chaturanga Perera of Asian International School while Chandri Haputhanthri of Ladies, College will lead the girls.

The meet became a reality when the Education Ministry of Singapore invited the Sri Lanka Schools Aquatic Sports Association, through the Ministry of Education in Sri Lanka, to take part in the meet.

Sri Lanka are certain of bagging several medals at this inaugural championships, which will certainly boost Sri Lanka's image in the sport as timings at schools swim meets have been very good since of late.

The President of the Schools Association Asoka Senanayake will accompany the team as Chef-de-Mission. He was very optimistic of the Sri Lankan contingent doing well and bringing home some medals. Six of the men swimmers picked for the meet are in the national pool and ten girls are in the women's pool currently in training for the SAF Games to be held next month.

The girls team : Chandri Haputhanthri, Nadi Senanayake, Dilini Liyanage (Ladies, College), Rukshina Gunaratne, Uma Kavya Dharmadasa (Musaeus), Ruvika Fernando (Mahamaya), Menaka de Silva (St. Bridget's), Melissa Boange (Bishop's), D.G.Iroshani Kaushalya (Ananda Balika), Kamakshi Mubarak (Holy Family).

The boys team: Chaturanga Perera, S.V. Gayan, Ranmal Weerasinghe, Rukshantha Fernando, Naveen Karunaratne (Asian International School),T. Samaradivakara (Trinity), Rumedha Madigasekera (St. Joseph's), Ragwan Madawala (S. Thomas'), M.R.T.Perera, Dharshaka Tennekoon (Ananda), Malaka Suraweera, Rashmin Gunaratne (Royal), Akshiyan Rajasingham (Hindu, Colombo), K.K.L. Ajith Kumara, T.K.S. Weerakody (Sri Devananda Ambalangoda).

Officials accompanying the team: Mrs. Ranjini de Fonseka (Manager), Mrs. Chintha Ruwanpathirana, Mrs. L.K. Jayatilleke, Sunimal Silva and Philip Amarasinghe (Coach). The team will leave on Saturday (August 11) and will return on August 19 (Sunday).

Schools rugby poised for interesting finish

By M.Shamil Amit

In Segment 'A' Royal, St. Sylvester's, Nalanda, St. Peter's, Science, St. Joseph's, Zahira and Thurstan qualified for the Plate while Dharmaraja, Carey, St. Benedict's, St. John's Nugegoda, Rahula, Lumbini, and St. Aloysius will play in the Bowl quarters.

In the Segment 'B' Science 'B;, Isipatana 'B', S.Thomas 'B', Seethawaka MV, Veluwana 'A', Kegalle MV, Prince of Wales 'B' and St. Anthony's 'B' have qualified for the cup quarter finals. 

Thurstan 'B', Wesley 'B', St Anne's, Asoka 'A', Sarasaviya Uyana Kandy, Bandaranayake MV, Ananda 'B' and Assoka 'B' have qualified for the plate quarters while Zahira 'B', Nalanda 'B', Veluwana 'B', Willorawatte MV, St Aloysius 'B', Dharmaloka Kelaniya and Mahanama 'B' will play in Bowl quarters. 

The Segment 'A' matches are played at Havelock Park while the Segment 'B' matches at Thurstan grounds. All quarter final matches will begin at 8.00 a.m. today. 

Veluwana, Zahira under 12-14 football champs 

In the finals, Veluwana MV beat Joseph Vaz, Wennapuwa by a solitary goal to nil, the goal scored by Nalaka Roshan, while in the under 14 final Zahira beat St Joseph's, Trincomalee by 2 goals to nil in a penalty shoot out. 

In the run up to the finals, in the under 12 age group, 

Pre-quarter finals - St, Marys Negombo bt Alghar MV 2-nil, Vidyaratha walk-over Wickremabahu MV Gampola, Joseph Vaz bt. St Peter's 2-nil, Valuwana MV bt. Maligahena MV Beruwala 6-nil and Maliyadeva Model School bt. Zahira Mawanella 2/1. 

Quarter finals - Vidyartha bt. St Mary's Negombo 2/1, Joseph Vaz Wennapuwa bt. Maliyadeva Model 2-nil, Dharmadutha Badulla bt. De Mazenod 2/1, Veluwana MV Zahira Gintota 2-nil. 

Joseph Vaz Wennappuwa bt. Vidyaratha 3-nil, Veluwana MV bt. Dharmadutha, Badulla 1-nil in the semi finals. 

Zahira Puttalam trounced Dharmaraja by 6 goals to nil in their under 14 pre-quarters, while St. Mary's Negombo bt. De Mazenod 3/2, Dharmadutha Badulla bt. Zahira Gintota 4/2, Zahira Maradana bt. Zahira, bt. Mawanella 3-nil, St. Peters bt. Bandaranayake, MV Gampaha 5-nil, St. Annes Kurunegala bt. Gagasiripura Gampola 1-nil, Holy Cross Kalutara bt. Royal 4/2. 

St Joseph's Trincomalle b.t St Peters by 7 goals to 6 in a penalty tie breaker in the quater-finals, while Zahira Maradana bt. Zahira Puttalam 3/2, Holy Cross Kalutara bt. St Annes Kurunegala 6/3. 

In the semi finals, Zahira Maradana bt. Dhamadutha Badulla 2-nil and St Joseph's Trincomalle bt. Holy Cross, Kalutara 2/1. 

Ratmalana School of Blind wins a cricket

Put into bat Galle were bowled out for 72 in 17 overs with only Sri Lanka Skipper Chandrakumara Suriyarachchi (16) and Dharmaratne (14) entering double figures, with Wasantha being the pick of the bowlers capturing 3 for 18. 

Meet India today in the Coca Cola Cup final

Can the Sri Lankan batsmen rise to the occasion today?

By Marlon Fernandopulle

Although Sri Lanka began the tournaments as favourites the team has not lived upto expectations.They chalked up four wins from six games, loosing twice to India.On both occasions it was their batting that let them down.However the Lankan skipper Sanath Jayasuriya was confident that his batsmen will rise to the occasion.

Speaking to the Sunday Times Jayasuriya said, "Yes, our batting has been a bit of a worry lately.There is a lack of consistency.But I am certain that it will all come good for the final."

Only skipper Sanath Jayasuriya has two fifties against his name in the six outings while Marvan Attapattu,Mahela Jayawardene ,Russel Arnold,Suresh Perera and Avishka Gunawardene have scored only a solitary fifty in the triangular tournament."We only need to play to our potential.We have done it in the past and the boys are all confident and ready to give their best on Sunday",said a confident Jayasuriya.

With the Lankan medium pacers and the spinners bowling a tidy line and length and doing a good containing job, the onus will once again fall on their batsmen who have lacked in consistency and failed to play to their potential.Their top order will have to show more character and conviction in the middle if they are to annex the glittering Coca Cola cup today.

Saurav Ganguly's team on the other hand have proved their fighting qualities after a disasterous start in the tournament.Recording three consecutive and convincing victories(two against Sri Lanka) the young and inexperienced Indian team has grown from strength to strength and will be looking to put the icing on the cake today.

All the Indian batsmen look to be in good nick.They are slowly but surely getting the measure of the wicket and the Lankans.With a test series to follow India will be eager turn tables on their host in today's final and dent the morale and confidence of the Lankans.In the recent past India has lost three cup finals.The ICC Knock-out final in Kenya(against New Zealand), Sharjah Cup (against Sri Lanka) and the Triangular in Zimbabwe (against West Indies).Thus the Indians will be keen to erase the spate of losses in finals when they meet Sri Lanka today. Sri Lanka likely to bring in Avishka Gunawardene for Kumar Sangakkara while India are expected to field the same team that beat New Zealand on Thursday.The toss once again will prove to be vital with the Premadasa wicket not being condusive for batting second. 

All in all a pulsating game is on the cards, and the full house which is expected at the Premadasa Stadium today is certain to be dished out with good entertaining cricket.

Enjoy the game but...

"Normally after a tour the damage done to the stadium is in the region of lakhs. All facilities have been provided, including toilets with new fittings. Use them with care and do not litter the grounds and do enjoy the game", he said.

Pitch arrangements have been supervised by Anuruddha Polonowita and Susil Ananda. Others who have been instrumental in maintaining the stadium, even after the cancelled matches from Dambulla, were shifted to the Premadasa Stadium at the last minute are: Chief Engineer Buildings Department Priyantha, State Engineering Department's Chandra Sikander, Manager Suriyarachchi and Director H.U. Silva.

Aussies bash England

Beginning the day at 134 for 6, a dejected and dis-oriented England never really got going with the last four wickets falling for 29 runs.

Shane Warne had begun the slide on Friday but paceman Jason Gillespie completed the rout today.

Left with 158 for a series victory and an Ashes victory, Australia were mostly in command except for a period when they were 90 for 3 and captain Steve Waugh on the retired hurt list. But Mark Waugh and Damian Martin carried them through with ease.

Scoreboard

England 2nd innings

M.A. Atherton c Gilchrist b Warne 51
M.E. Trescothick c Gilchrist b Warne 32
M.A. Butcher lbw b Lee 01
M.R. Ramprakash st Gilchrist b Warne 26
A.J. Stewart b Warne 00
I.J. Ward lbw b Gillespie 13
C. White c SR Waugh b Warne 07
A.J. Tudor c Ponting b Warne 09
R.D.B. Croft b Gillespie 00
A.R. Caddick c Gilchrist b Gillespie 04
D. Gough not out 05
Extras (b 4, lb 3, nb 7) 14
Total (all out, 57 overs, 243 mins) 162

FoW: 1-57, 2-59, 3-115, 4-115, 5-126, 6-144, 7-144 , 8-146, 9-156, 10-162.

Bowling: McGrath 11 3 31 0, Gillespie 20 8 61 3, Lee 8 1 30 1 (7nb), Warne 18 5 33 6

Australia 2nd innings (target: 158 runs)

M.L. Hayden lbw b Tudor 42
M.J. Slater c Trescothick b Caddick 12
R.T. Ponting c Stewart b Croft 17
M.E. Waugh not out 42
S.R. Waugh retired hurt 01
D.R. Martyn not out 33
Extras (lb 4, nb 7) 11
Total (3 wickets, 29.2 overs) 158

FoW: 1-36, 2-72, 3-88.

Bowling: Gough 9 1 38 0 (2nb), Caddick 12.2 1 71 1 (4nb), Tudor 7 0 37 1, Croft 1 0 8 1

Last post for 'Pila'

Affectionately known as 'Pila' he had an outstanding career at Trinity College where he won colours in rugby, cricket and athletics and captained the rugby team. Later he won the coveted rugby 'lion' as well. 

Newcomers shine for CR to down CH & FC

By Bernie Wijesekera

The revamped CR team with a couple of newcomers in the side, with Royal skipper Haren Kaluarachchi, the penetrative centre, made it a winning debut for the red shirts. Another schoolboy from Isipatana, who played in a couple of games in the first leg, fly-half Roshan Peiris, played a decisive role for the CR, who for the first time this season, were at their best.

'Kalu' had a big hand in two of the CR tries with his intelligent play. For a newcomer to the big league, he showed abundant maturity. Of course the showpiece for CR was fullback Halimdeen in the last line.Staging a comeback after injury, the pencil slim 'Halim' was sure in defence and constantly formed the overlap. He had a big hand in CR's three tries. His spot kicks, too proved a winning factor.

Evergreen Lasitha Gunaratne, taking the field midway in the second half, added much fire and power to the pack. He was instrumental in thwarting a certain CH try when he touched down in defence, though CH were awarded a five-yard scrum. They won the loose head but fumbled with the ball.

In the second half CH dominated play with some superb moves made by the entire back division. For ten minutes they were on the offensive in CR territory and could have scored two certain tries, but it was a comedy of errors. Further full-back Nalin Dissanayake's spot kicks too lacked direction.

Referee N. Jama-ldeen

Saunders, Negombo in final

By Bruce Maurice

All scoring was done in the first session of play. Ratnams missed an early chance of forging ahead, when they missed a certain goal. 

Roshan Perera booted in the first goal when the game was 22 minutes old and followed it up with their second goal through him, with Ratnams failing in a desperate attempt to reduce the lead. Roshan Perera scored his third goal and the hat-trick minutes before the short whistle. Saunders missed two easy chances of increasing their tally of goals. 

Both sides had equal opportunities of scoring with the Price Park lads being lucky and Ratnams being unlucky with poor finishing touches. 

In the second semi final that was also played last evening at the Sugathadasa Stadium, Negombo Youth qualified to meet Saunders in the final on August 11th at the same venue. They defeated Blue Star SC by four goals to two in a penalty shoot out.

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