Kulasekera in form

Vidyartha's front-liners led by skipper Harsha Nanayakkara amd Kulasekera ran riot on the first day and totalled a massive 405 for 8. Medium pacer Tyronne de Silva ended with five wickets.

The Antonians were in trouble early on but were rescued by skipper Prasad Ranawaka's fighting 89 (10 fours). He with Rikaz turned the tide.

Vidyartha - 405 for 8 dec. (H. Nanayakkara 135, K. Kulasekera 118, S. Perera 44, D. Wekadapola 30, M. Chandrasiri 34, P. Indrajith 25; J. de. Silva 5 for 120)

St. Anthony's - 248 (H. Perera 20, P. Ranawaka 89, M. Rikaz 47, A. Ariyaratne 27, M. Ruzli 19; K. Kulasekera 5 for73, D. Wekadapola 2 for 39) and 31 for 1 (N. Ratnayake 17; P. Indrajith 1 for 8) - A.K.

Trinity improve

Trinity closed on 146 for 6 at the end of day one and went on to reach 171. Mendis top scored with a well compiled 48 while Herath contributed 32. Paceman Hameed was the pick of the bowlers claiming 4 for 21.

St. Sylvester's, in trouble at 45 for 5. were kept afloat by Refai and Ratnayake who took the score to 81 by the close. Skipper and strike bowler Gamag snapped up three early wickets.

Trinity - 146 contd. overnight 171 ( M. Herath 32, H. Mendis 48, A. Pieris 12, S. Jayasinghe 11; M.S. Hameed 4 for 21, M. Refai 2 for 29, K. Udawatte 2 for 31)

St. Sylvester's - 81 for 5 (T.Jayatissa 14, M. Refai 34 n.o; R. Gamage 3 for 26; C. Munaweera 1 for 12, H. Mendis 1 for 22) - A.K.

Injury-hit Redondo turns down AC Milan salary

Redondo, who joined Milan from Real Madrid last summer, has yet to kick a ball for the Italian club after injuring his right knee in pre-season training and missing all of last year's campaign. Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani told the daily Corriere dello Sport on Saturday that Redondo believed foregoing his salary would make him calmer in his bid to regain fitness.

"Fernando suffered the pressure. He felt it when people were asking him when he would be fit," said Galliani.

"He wants tranquility and he told me clearly this choice allows him to be more calm and to feel well in Madrid."

Galliani added Redondo had also offered to give up the car and house provided to him by the club, but that this was rejected by AC Milan.

The vice-president said the club was hopeful that Redondo would return to full fitness as soon as possible.

"He is optimistic, all the doctors are optimistic and we hope he can be back with us very soon," Galliani said.

Would be cricket umpires

N.D. Vitahna, Romesh Fernando, R.P.K. Madana-yake, W.J.M.C.M. de Silva, M.A.D.S.L. Guneratne, H.H. Chandrasekera, W.S.P.de Alwis, D.J. Jayasena, R.M.R. Jayashantha, E.A.P. de Zoysa, H.M.K.C.A. Rajara-tne, A.M.K.A. Chinthaka, Mahesh Liyanage, S.P. Chandrakumar, S. Sundars-hana, A.N.E. Francke, Anura Ratnayake, K.B.C.J. de Silva, A.M.U.S. Amarakoon, M.T.M. Salgado and K. Ranasuriya.

Police and CH in exciting draw 

In the 10th minute, the Maitland Place Club went into the lead when J. Dissanayaka scored. But two minutes later N. P. Darron equalised for the Police and T. Sathiskumar put them into the lead. At half Police led 2-1. 

In the second half there was no scoring till the 50th minute till J. Dissanayaka scored his second goal of the day to save the CH & FC from defeat. 

M. Suresh Kumar and G. Leuke controlled the game, while G. Jayasinghe was the third umpire. 

It is sad to note that the warm up grounds for the hockey players are being used by netball players who are brought into the grounds by coaches from outside. Even the changing rooms and the toilets are monopolised by these netball players and as a result it is causing great inconvenience to hockey players. (BM)

Viraj Perera puts Colts to the sword 

By Bruce Maurice 

Taking first lease of the wicket, Galle ran up a formidable score of 282 with T. Samaratunge capturing six for 44. 

R.P. Kumara (25) and M. Wijesinghe (31) were the other Galle batsmen to swell their score. Galle Cricket Club then captured two Colts wickets for 23 runs. 

The match will be continued today. 

Galle CC - 282 (Viraj Perera 169, R.P. Kumara 25, M. Wijesinghe 31; K. Weeraratne 2 for 80, M. Pushpakumara 2 for 103, T. Samaratunge 6 for 44 ).

Colts CC - 23 for 2. (BM)

Sri Lanka to replace NZ in Pakistan?

By Marlon Fernandopulle

The Chief Executive of the Board of Control for Cricket in Sri Lanka Anura Tennekoon confirmed receiving the request from the PCB but said a decision has not been made as yet."It's not an easy decision to make as we are uncertain about the situation.However the Interim committee will meet next week and take a decision",the CEO said.

New Zealand pulled out of the scheduled Test and one day tour of Pakistan following the terrorist attack on the United States of America fearing an escalation of a war in the region. When Sri Lanka were facing a similar situation during the World Cup in'96 both West Indies and Australia declined to play in Sri Lanka, Pakistan and India sent their teams here to prove their friendship and solidarity with the country. 

Sri Lanka who just completed a hectic three month season have the Sharjah triangular in late October as their next assignment.If Sri Lanka agrees to tour Pakistan they will play three one day Internationals early next month.Following the Sharjah triangular West Indies and Zimbabwe are expected in Sri Lanka in Nov-Dec-Jan to play three tests each and participate in a Triangular tournament.

Pakistan stands to lose approximately $5million over the cancellation of the New Zealand tour which is set to hamper the development and promotion projects in the country. Pakistan has already lost revenues estimated to be worth $15million after India cancelled a scheduled tour to Pakistan earlier this year. 

Pakistan also suffered another loss of Rs20 million through title sponsorship when India refused to cross borders for the Asian Test Championship match scheduled between Sept 12 and 16 at Lahore. Ironically, the Black Caps were set to tour Pakistan according to the much publicized ICC's 10-year programme which was constituted, approved and released last year. The ICC had masterminded the 10-year plan to provide equal opportunity to countries to play Test matches on home and away basis. 

Army torpedo Navy 34 - 3

By Bernie Wijesekera

With the kick-off it turned out to be a block-buster between the respective forwards. In a do-or-die battle it was no let up. The sailors fought a relentless battle up front to contain this year's 'A' league runners-up. The sailors sans their key forward Ruwantilleke (indisposed) with a heavy set of forwards, played a ferocious game in the loose to share the good ball in the set pieces and the long throws.

Navy took the lead in the 10th minute when Gunapala fired a spot kick to lead 3-0. After a long wait the soldiers equalised through a penalty fired over by full back A.P. Silva, who revelled in the mud. Silva was at his brilliant best and gave Army the lead with another penalty 6-3. Just before the short whistle Army flanker Pradeep was sent to the sin-bin for rough play.

After lemons the Navy defence melted under pressure when they conceded four tries. 

The entire Army back division in perfect Co-ordination, ran the ball to bemuse the Navy defence. The first was off a short tap ten metres out and centre Vajira Jayatilleke touched down for a corner flag try. Silva showed a touch of class to fire over from an oblique angle: 13-3.

Co-centre Vajira Jayatilleke zig-zagged to score a perky try under the posts. Silva added the extra points: 20-3.

Winger Naushad using his speed rolled over for another corner flag try. A.P. Silva despite a heavy ball, made a brilliant conversion to make it 27-3.

Naushad scored his second too with a corner flag try. Silva added the extra points to account for 14 points.

Referee Dilroy Fernando.

* Army meet the winners of today's game between the CH&FC and Havelocks on September 26 at Longden Place while defending champs Kandy SC take on Police on September 25 at Nittawela.

BRC turn tables on Old Anandians at hockey

By Bruce Maurice

Saman Kumara drew first blood for the Old Anandians when he banged in the first goal in the second minute. But J. Prasanna equalised for the BRC in the 10th minute. In the 30th minute Old Anandians went into the lead when S. Dimiuthu Kumara rocked the boards. At half time it was 2-1 in favour of the Old Anandians and they had the game all sewn up. 

But in the second half, the BRC came back with all their guns blazing and 37th, 45th, 47th and 59th minutes four broadsides were fired into the Old Anandians sinking wreck. The scorers were Rajeev Weerasiri (2), J. Ratnayaka (1) and Chamil Kumara (1). 

The game was controlled by Damith Jayasinghe and M. Abeywickrema, while the third umpire was A.N. Perera. (B.M)

Tangalle and President's XI joint champs 

Both teams were declared joint cahmpions. 

The tournament was organised by the National Cricket Association For The Blind. 

The School For The Blind Tangalle was to be led by Bandula Perera and the President's team was to be skippered by Kumudulal Samarasinghe who are both Sri Lanka 'caps.' (B.M)

Australia pulls out of Indoor Tournament

But the tournament will be conducted with Sri Lanka and India fielding two teams. This is the first ever international indoor cricket tournament to be played in Sri Lanka. It will be played for the Pepsi Trophy. 

Sri Lanka have named the two teams. The 'A' team is captained by Asela Pathirana while the 'B' team is captained by Roshan Weerasinghe. The teams and the itinerary. 

Sri Lanka 'A' Asela Pathirana (Capt), Krishantha Peiris, Niroshan Bandaratileke, Nilam Jayman, Iroshan de Silva, Sanjeewa Jayaratne, Dharshana Gamage, Lyndon Hannibal, Nalaka de Silva, Chandika Kumara. 

Sri Lanka 'B' Roshan Weerasinghe (Capt), Krishan Indika, Janaka Pradeep, Dilshan Witharna, Chamindu Perera, Ranga Dias, Niranjan Rajapakse, Malintha Perera, Brijesh Jeganathan, Lassana Dias. Sept 26 4.00 p.m Sri Lanka vs India, 6.00 p.m. Sri Lanka 'A' vs India 'A'. Sept 27 4.00 p.m. Sri Lanka vs India, 6.00 p.m Sri Lanka 'A' vs India 'A'. Sept 28 4.00 p.m. Sri Lanka vs India, 6.00 p.m. Sri Lanka 'A' vs India 'A'. 

September 29 12.00 noon Sri Lanka 'A' vs India 'A' 2.00. p.m. National League Grand Final, 4.30 p.m. Sri Lanka vs India. 

Meanwhile the national league semi finals will be played today starting at 2.00 p.m. The four teams are Access, East West, Lanka Yalta and John Keells. MSA

Mastery SC Champions

They beat Jolly Boys SC by 4 to nil in the finals played at the Bernard Aluvihare Stadium in Matale. 

Mastery SC led 1-0 at half time. The champions scored their goals through Thusara Fernando (2), S. Tharanga (1) and R. Sanjeewa (1). 

M. Jamaldeen refereed. 

In the 'B' Division inter-club Football League tournament - 2001, Rangers SC beat Goldmoon SC in a Penalty Shootout after the game ended in a nil all draw in the finals played at the same venue. 

Seven teams participated in this tournament. In the Penalty competition Rangers SC scored 3 goals whilst Goldmoon SC were able to get two goals. 

S. Raja Refereed.

Can Havelocks be lucky today?

By M.Shamil Amit

What is more interesting is that Havelocks have not beaten CH and FC for the last four years, their last win against CH was in 1997. Even in the league cham-pionship this season the Havies were not able to go over this hurdle. Losing the first round game by 30-13 and the second round game by a close margin 29-22. 

The Havies were placed sixth in the league and are capable of upseting the apple cart like they did in the last league match against the Police. Having being led they fought back to win the game. Players to watch will be skipper Sanjeewa Jayasinghe who captained the Sevens team at the international sevens, Sudath Sampath, Siva Wanasinghe, Rajiv Ganapathy, Shafi Hassan, Kavinda Jayasena and Rajiv Perera. 

The Maitland Crescent club who were placed third in the league championship will go all out to maintain their record of not having lost to their opponents since 1997. 

They had a lean season in the league championship faring far below than what was expected from them. They will leave no stone unturned to advance into the semi final and interesting game is on the cards. The players to watch will be Sameera Wijeyasinghe, Ashan Cooray, Dave Wijewardena, skipper Ajith Upawansa, Nalin Dissanayake, Milinda Jayasinghe and Prasad Batapola.

Meanwhile Police created the first upset of the knockout tournament when they overcame CR and FC by 14 points to 12 after being led 6-3 in the half time. 

For the Police Harsha Wijeweera put over three penalties and Anura Fernando scored the try while Roshan Peiris put over four penalties for CR.

Trials for rugby squad

The trials will be held on September 29 and 30. 

The President of the SLSRA Upali Gunesekera with the Chairman of the SLSRA selection commitee has written to all schools to send their nominees for these trials. 

A pool will be picked and they will be in constant training until the final pool is picked.

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