CTTA retain Tea Board trophy
By Bernie Wijesekera
The Ceylon Tea Traders - Up Country Planters annual sports festival staged
in Darawella and Radella provided exciting fare in the two field sports
cricket and rugby played over last weekend.
CTTA with some seasoned campaigners won four disciplines billiards and
snooker, squash, cricket and rugby, while the Planters won the tennis and
badminton. In the end CTTA emerged overall champions. This annual contest
between the tea fraternity brought about understanding and togetherness
via sport.
Planters despite living far and wide made a trek to participate and
to take part in this annual fellowship, which was followed by a social.
Dimbula ACC President, Lal Basnayake, left no stone to make it a success.
The Chief Guest for the cricket match was former Dimbula and ACC President
Ralston Tissera - a past cricketing stalwart. The Tisseras have made a
name in the tea trade be it on and off the field. Ralston, paid a glowing
tribute to CTTA, especially for Bryan Baptist, who spared no pains for
the continuity of this annual contest. He said, Bryan's good work should
be continued in the years to come too.
Manoj - stole the lime light
The cricket match though CTTA won by 34 runs was keenly contested. Played
in ideal conditions it provided good fare to the fans.
CTTA batting first helped by an attractive 5th-wicket stand of 95 between
skipper Ken de Alwis 59 (with 6 fours and a six) and all rounder Samantha
Dodanwela 55 (4 fours and a six) helped them to total 247 for 9 in their
allotted overs.
The Planters gave a spirited reply to score 213 all out thanks to a
gritty fifth wicket stand of 80 runs between Dayan Madawela (with 5 fours)
and an aggressive and attractive 96 by former old Anandian, Manoj Kariapperuma
(with 12 fours and 2 sixes) was cruising the Planters to victory, until
he was lured by a slower ball bowled by Dodanwela to be caught and bowled
to deprive the batsman of a richly deserved 100. Rest of the batting, fell
on the way side.
CTTA - 247 for 9 in 40 overs. (R. Nanayakkara 10, Samantha Dodanwela
55, C. Dissanayake 15, Ken de Alwis 59, S. Fernando 33, C. Jayakody 19;
Dilshan 2 for 19, M. Kariyaperuma 2 for 40.)
Planters - 213 in 36 overs. Dayan Madawela 44, M. Kariapperuma 96, A.
Edirimuni 16, A. Bartholemusz 13; Shiron Fernando 4 for 52, Shamal Silva
2 for 34.)
Sweet revenge for CTTA
CTTA , who were beaten by the Planters in last year's rugby tie, but with
a revamped side did well to beat them by 20 points (goal, two tries and
a penalty) to 10 (two tries) after leading 10-5 at Lemons.
The Traders, emerged first winners of the Rigid-T-Sack Challenge trophy,
presented by St. Regis Packaging (Pvt.) Ltd.
The Planters though beaten played a robust brand of rugby in the loose
to keep their opponents to 10-5 at the half. They were constantly propping
the CTTA defense in the initial half.
CTTA skipper Haroon Musafer, led from the front. Musafer, with his deceptive
running and intelligent kicks to touch proved a winning factor in the end.
CTTA had an outstanding schoolboy in their team - Peterite Mario. Oorloff,
who scored two tries.
Former up-country and Sri Lanka ruggerite Mahinda Ratwatte was the Chief
Guest and the teams were introduced to him before the start of the game.
S.W. Chang refereed.
Plenty of action at Victoria Golf Club
This weekend will see plenty of action at the Victoria Golf Club with over
a 100 golfers competing in the Donald Steel Trophy, the Ebert Pot, the
Pam Fernando Cup and Victoria Bowl generously sponsored by Carlsberg, Merbok
MDF Lanka (Pvt) Ltd. & SriLankan Airlines.
Martin Ebert, the current holder of the Donald Steel Trophy, has flown
in to defend his title and win one of the two tickets donated by SriLankan
Airlines but will be facing fierce competition from Alain Gyi, Sidath Wettimuny,
Noel Selvanayagam and a host of other on-form players. It is good to see
the ladies so well represented this year. Sally Collins and Suwen Selvaratnam
will be hoping to be on the receiving end of the Victoria Bowl and Pam
Fernando Cup in which they both competed so well last year. The great lady
herself will be on hand to present her Cup. Live updates can be heard on
Gold FM or you can check out the results of all the competitions on www.eureka.lk.
Teams are forming for the International Matchplay Event on Independence
Day which is bound to provide some very interesting and competitive golf.
In fact all the ingredients for a great three days of golf and camaraderie
will be present at the Victoria Golf Club this weekend.
SLARDAR breaks new ground.
The Sri Lanka Association of Racing Drivers and Riders broke new ground
with the introduction of its first ever 'Champions of Champions', who will
arrange for the smooth completion of this event. In the year "00" slardar
made its long awaited move by diverting from the conventional concept yet
catering to the entire racing fraternity in the country. Thus the pace
is set for the Championships for Champions giving a hand to all competitors
to gauge one's strength and weaknesses.
Sampath Bank cricketers in training camp
Sri Lanka cricketers attached to Sampath Bank devoted their valuable time
to train school children from Badulla and Bandarawela at a One-day cricket
coaching camp held at Bandarawela on Wednesday 23.
Over 250 from Badulla and Bandarawela participated at this camp organised
by Sampath Bank Ltd., and Badulla District Cricket Association.
Marvan Atapattu, Kumar Sangakkara, Charitha Buddhika, Don Arunasiri,
Chandika Hathurusinghe, Dinesh Perera, Indika Gallage, Aruna Bandaranayake
and Shantha Kahavitagoda were in charge of the coaching clinics.
All the children present were given the finer tips on batting, fast-medium-spin
bowling, fielding and wicket keeping.
The Chairman of the Bandarawela Urban Council Mr. Nalin Sooriyage declared
open the coaching clinic by hoisting the National Flag. The Deputy General
Manager of Sampath Bank Ltd., Mr. Prema Dharmawardena hoisted the Bank
Flag.
After lighting the traditional oil lamp, the camp was conducted in five
groups and they rotated until they gained the finer points from all the
Sri Lankan players.
Rover Pinpoints
Ari K as President BCCSL
Rover learns that Ari K is to be elected as the President of the Cricket
Board in Sri Lanka for 2002. TS is tipped to take over for "2003" with
a hope of getting picked as the ICC's President in "2003".
DCA deprived of holding office
How come a District Cricket Association in the hills (DCA) was not elected
to serve in the Committee being deprived of getting elected to serve on
the committee with the AGM held at the Minister's residence thus depriving
those hoping to get elected bringing on undue pressure on them.
Missing Pacers
The Pacer installed at the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium pool for diving purposes
has been removed by the NAASU for inventory purposes and not returned yet.
One wonders if the same fate will befall the missing stop watchers by NAASU.
Bad form
The women's limited overs cricket match between Sri Lanka and Pakistan
was to be played at the Colts grounds at Havelock Park but was postponed
on a request by the Pakistan team and shifted to the P.Sara Stadium.
The Sri Lanka Women's Cricket Association was stunned when they were
told to pay Rs 20,000/- as ground fees when they were not in a good financial
position.
Premier Super League
NCC tottering vs Galle
By Bruce Maurice
The NCC were on the brink of conceding first innings points tp Galle CC
at the end of the seccond day's play in their Premier Super League match
at the SSC grounds.
Continuing from their overnight score of 28 for two wickets, Galle CC
closed their innings at 187 for nine with C. Perera top scoring with 59.
When stumps were drawn NCC were 116 for six, with last week's centurion
Arvinda De Silva being dismissed for 24.
Galle CC - 187 for 9 declared ( P.Wanasinghe 33. C. Perera 59, D. Lokuhettige
15, T. Thushara 2 for 30, R. Klapage 3 for 30).
NCC 116 for 6 (P. Hewage 20, A, De Silva 24, R. Kalpage 32, D. Lokuhettige
3 for 42) .BM
Honours even at Maitland Place
A first wicket stand of 112 between S. Sagara 53 and N. Shiroman 57 enabled
Tamil Union to post a total of 264 against SSC in their Premier Super League
match at Maitland Place yesterday. At stumps, the SSC had replied with
133 for 4 at stumps.
Resumng at 153 for 3, R. Peiris and I. De Saram contributed 46 and 54
respectively to the Tamil Union score.
When stumps were drawn for the day, at 6/05 P.M. the game was evenly
poised with SSC on 133 for four wickets.
Tamil Union - 264 (S. Sagara 53, N. Shiroman 57, R. Peiris 46, I. de
Saram 54, S. Kelum 22, (S. Perera 2 for 45, T. Samaraweera 4 for 40).
SSC - 133 for 4 wickets (M. Dissanayaka 23, T. Embuldeniya 15, Upeka
Fernando 49, N. Bandaratileka 2 for 39) BM
Kandy CC up against the wall
Kandy CC were fighting an uphill battle to secure first innings points
from CCC at the end of the first day's play in their Division 2 match at
Maitland Place yesterday.
The home side batting first, posted 221 on the board and then sent six
of the Kandy CC batsmen back while conceding only 119 runs.
The match continues today.
CCC - 221 (M. Totuwilage 42, B. Karunaratne 30, D. Arnold 24, L. Abeyratne
48, R. Pitigla 4 for 61, R. Lihindupitiya 2 for 8).
Kandy CC - 119 for 6 (S. Rangana 22, R. Lihindupitiya 25, C. Fernando
42, M. Safraz 3 for 16). BM
Shantha rescues Rio SC
Sixteen-year-old schoolboy Madutharanga Shantha rescued Rio SC from total
disaster against Kurunegala YCC in their Premier Plate Championship on
the first day at Reid Avenue yesterday.
Coming in with Rio SC at 77 for the loss of nine wickets, he top scored
with a polished, unbeaten 66 and shared a last wicket stand of 62 with
S. Ranaweera (15) to boost the Rio score to 139.
But Kurunegala had already secured first innings points with D. Ramanayaka
71 not out, steering them to 123 for four wickets at stumps.
Rio SC - 139 (M.W.M. Shantha 66 n.o, S. Ranaweera 15, S. Manosha 13,
R. Amunugama 2 for 40, J.C. Gamage 2 for 36, M. Maduwantha 2 for 26).
Kurunegala YCC - 123 for 4 (D. Ramanayaka 71 n.o., S. Chinthaka 31,
M.G. Loshan 2 for 22, S. Ranaweera 2 for 22).
Bloomfield 220/9
By M.Shamil Amit
Bloomfield were 220 for 9 in the first innings against Colts CC in the
Super League cricket match being played at Braybrook Place.
There was no play on the first day and the match got off to a late start
yesterday.
Bloomfield - 220 for 9 at close (Thilina Kandambi 41, Saman Jayantha
21, D.Perera 47, S. Rodrigo 25; Eric Upashantha 4 for 44. vs Colts.
Jayasundara 112
Praneeth Jayasundara with a swashbuckling innings of 112 which had 16 hits
to the ropes helped Chilaw Marians to score an imposing 317 for 9 declared
in the Plate championship cricket match against Kandy CC being played at
Katunayake. Kandy CC in their turn were 169 for 4 at close.
Chilaw Marians-317 for 9 declared (Praneeth Jayasundara 112 n.o., Dhammika
Perera 46, Saman Tittagala 38, Priyanka Wickramasinghe 30, Thuhendra Soysa
30, Arosha Perera 25; Thanuja Bandara 5 for 92)
Kandy CC 169 for 4 at close (Julian Arnolda 40, S. Perera 41, Mohamed
Ramsey 36 n.o.; Priyanka Wickramasinghe 3 for 40)
-MSA
Golf to be popularised here
Sri Lanka is pretty good in the amateur game -Coach Hank
By Nilika de Silva
Fifty youngsters are participating in the Junior Golf Clinic sponsored
by the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of Scotland and the European Golf Union
with a view to popularising the game.
The Golf Clinic taking place from January 25 to February 21 is conducted
by Coach Hank Stevens of Netherlands assisted by his wife Anita at the
Royal Colombo Golf Course. The coaches stay in Sri Lanka is sponsored by
the Lanka Oberoi.
This is Coach Hank's second golf clinic in Sri Lanka. During the first
which took place in May last year he was impressed by the potential of
our youngsters resulting in a second visit.
The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of Scotland and the European Golf Union
presented ten junior golf sets for the children which provided the opportunity
for training to proceed.
Four golfers were also trained by these two professionals to continue
the program in their absence. From last May every Wednesday the children's
golf clinic took place from 2.30 to 4.30p.m organised by the Sri Lanka
Golf Union with all three clubs, RCGC, Victoria Golf Club and the Nuwara
Eliya Golf Club joining in supporting this venture.
Thirty children who took to the sport last year, continued attending
the weekly clinic and are now undergoing their second phase in training
with coach Hank.
Sri Lanka wants to popularise the game and we want a lot of youngsters
to come up and get into our national pool, Ms. Radha Sunderampillai, the
co-ordinator of the program said when The Sunday Times visited the golf
clinic this week.
Out of last time's pool there were 30 very good players and they are
now being taught how to play the course.
At that time it was only the grip and the swing etc, she explained,
while Coach Stevens said he notices "a big difference" since first coaching
these youngsters last year.
The Stevens will be coaching the caddies, and also the national players.
Hank who played in the European Tour in the sixties and ranked among
the top golfers in Netherlands, stre-ssed that Sri Lanka lacks professional
golfers, thereby affecting the development of the game.
"I've been sent here by the R and A and the EG Union. There is a group
of five or ten people and professionals who do the same thing as I do in
India, Africa, South America, Rumania. We find everywhere the same problem
with teachers. There are no professionals. So it is very difficult to develop
the real talent. We hope to make a program to teach the teachers," he said.
Coach Hank further said that in amateur golf Sri Lanka is pretty good
but professional playing has to be developed, there is no professional
tour in this country. "There are a few good amateurs who could become career
professionals, but of course they need the money and all that kind of thing".
Junior OBA for Mahanama
It is proposed to set up a junior old boys association for Mahanama College.
All those who have completed college education in 1990 and subsequent years
are eligible to join this association.
The inaugural meeting will take place at the College Auditorium on Saturday,
February 9, 2002 at 3p.m. |
