| Sports |
||||||
|
Army
in great escape At the turn around the sailors led 6-5. The high-riding soldiers, who were expected to score a run-away win as the sailors lost the first outing to the Havelocks 28-6. But yesterday their forwards played like Trojans. No quarter was given and none asked. The Army ran to panic stations in the initial half. The Navy forwards held their counterparts to a standstill with bone-jarring tackles. In the process the Army forwards were constantly blown. Their eyes were more on the man than on the ball. Former old Royalist Gamage, who was drafted from the mid-season, was ordered off for an unwarranted tackle. Army after being led 6-5 at the half, changed their ploy to run the ball and took control against a tiring Navy outfit. But the sailors during the dying stages could have still won, trailing 16-20. Off a five metre short tap No 8 Malawana, who scored the first try, attempted to go 'solo' which cost them the lead and the match. Navy's fly-half Sham Pradeep scored 11 points when he fired three penalties and converted their solitary try. Army in the second half got the act together after they scored their first try in the 37th minute of the initial half off a second phase attack when centre Vajira Jayatilleke fell over for an unconverted try 6-5. Navy went ahead with another spot kick 9-5. The soldiers playing positive rugby scored off a ruck, ten metres out enabling burly No 8 Dharmapala to touch down under the posts. K.P. Silva added the extra points 16-15. Army scored a gift try when the sailors defence was caught napping. Fernando went over for a corner flag for an unconverted try to take the lead and the match. Referee P.D. Nimal controlled the game well. -BW CH win at
will The score line may look impressive but in truth the CH&FC's display wasn't entirely convincing. The cobwebs have yet to be dusted away. Kandy Youth, sans many of last year's players, were enthusiastic triers. Full back Niyandagala and No 8 Pulukuttiarachchi caught the eye. CH had gone into a 26-0 lead at half time through tries by Shashi Cooray, Naren Perera, Kokum Seneviratne and Roy Nishantha. In the second half, winger Nuwan Kumara, Bertie Jayasekera, Lasantha Ediriweera and Nalin Dissanayake scored tries. The latter sold a couple of beautiful dummies in the process of scoring from close range. Dissanayake missed four kicks and conversions. Referee Mahinda Jayasekera - (A.K)
I have had the privilege of watching cricket and covering them in the international circuit at home and abroad and had the opportunity of listening to the comments made by commentators, whilst being in the media box and enjoying a friendly dialogue with them at the break. They are not Dons from the leading universities, especially those coming from the sub-continent - India and Pakistan. They express their views in the language they understand best - that to the point to the listeners. They may not be fluent in their expressions, but what the listener wants to hear from them are the ongoing happenings at the middle. Exaggerations or his accent, apparently some of our local commentators are famous for. But sad to mention in some quarters were critical about Arjuna Ranatunga, the former Sri Lankan skipper who was giving commentaries in the disastrous Sharjah cricket final between Sri Lanka and Pakistan, which put Lankan cricket to shame. Arjuna a product of Ananda, with a Sinhala only academic background, mentioned what was required to the listener, but not with an Oxford accent. The local listener understood him well. Even the willow wielding sport and the English language was introduced by our former alien masters. Arjuna, though not an English scholar, but has mastered the cricketing skills, and brought forth pride to his school and for the country. He may be a controversial cricketer on and off the field. 'Truth is the greatest Religion'. Facts are stubborn. Give credit where credit is due. Arjuna's contributions to the game despite a village background has to be admired. There may be shortcomings. Don't condemn it outright, but has to be helped and rectified. 'No one is a Paragon of Virtue'. So is Arjuna. Mr. Nelson Mendis, the former Nalanda cricket coach and one of the English masters and a product of Dharmasoka, Ambalangoda said, I am not saying he is perfect. He has his shortcomings. I don't condone
them nor Arjuna but his contributions for the game is immense. No
one could deny or forget. He stood by his principles and spoke out
his mind at times overstepping the line. That too for the sake of
the country and the players interest. One need not master an English vocabulary and talk about rubbish, but talk to the point that's what is required, said a former senior Police officer, now retired as (SSP) . If one try to belittle Arjuna's commentaries, then some of the locals should not be afforded with the mike, as they talk a load of rubbish not about the game he added. Followed Arjuna closely in some of the controversial tours abroad. Firstly, in the Hero Honda ODI tournament staged in India. The pitches afforded to the Lankan and West Indies teams at the Calcutta Football grounds were sub-standard and dangerous to practice. Even the Windies skipper Ritchie Richardson agreed. Ritchie was silent. But Arjuna spoke out his mind and even split hair with the Indian board, Including Jagmohan Dalmiya. Let the Indian team come to Sri Lanka we will give them a similar dose. Later it was sorted out with the arrival of CB secretary, Neil Perera with a handshake. He spoke in the interest of the team. Every man has 15 minutes of fame said. Oscar Wilde. But Arjuna, had this not for him to build his personal ego, but for the country and the team's cause. To mete out justice there is no language barrier, one could speak in Hindi, Urudu or Sinhala etc. Talk about his contributions to the game said a coach in a leading club in the metropolis. How many of those be it in the past or at present have contributed for the game than mere talking. In two tours to Australia - in 1996 plagued by controversies. The ball tampering in the Test match in Perth and the calling of Muralitharan by Umpire Darrel Hair. It split hair in the process. He expressed his views in the language best understood. In turn proved to be an unpopular figure, Down Under. But they still admired him for his courage. All forgotten Here again to mete out justice. to a fellow player. Chopra,
Ganbhir hit centuries The tourists who won the toss and elected to bat first gave the young Sri Lankan aspirants a few lessons to learn as openers Akash Chopra (144 n. o) and Gautam Ganbhir (105) defied the Lankan attack to put on a fine 252 runs before being separated. The Indian openers were never troubled by the Lankan bowlers as they made full use of a good batting strip to accumulate runs freely on both sides of the wicket. Despite a heavy outfield Chopra and Ganbhir struck the occasional boundaries and ran between the wickets very well to have the scoreboard ticking. The visitors went into lunch at 113 /0 and tea at 213/0 frustrating the home team. Lankan skipper Micheal Vandort used seven bowlers to foil the Indian openers and finally succeeded through off spinner Ganganath Ratnayake who picked up two wickets in quick succession. Left hander Ganbhir was the first to go for a well compiled 105 that came off 234 balls and included nine boundaries. However right hander Akash Chopra continued to milk the Lankan bowlers as he went on to be unbeaten on 144 by the close. Chopra faced 266 balls and hit 17 boundaries as he showed a fine temperament and gave an indication of his skills. India A-316/2 in 90 overs(Akash Chopra 144 n o Gautam Ganbhir 105, H Kanitkar 25 n.o; Ganganath Ratnayake 2/52). Sri
Lanka Police Ladies on peace tour to Germany The tour has
been organized by AGSEP - Asian German Sports Exchange Programme
with a blessings of the Minister of Sports and the FFSL. Especially
in view of the ongoing Peace Process the Ladies Football team will
extend. George
Steuarts gear for 2003 World Cup Internationally Geo Steuarts has made a name in the Travel Trade, I am proud to mention that Sri Lanka is a branch of that family tree. In 1996,1999 World Cups, too we came into reckoning and was accredited with the task of handling the travel and accommodation for the fans, officials etc. Our efforts have been recognised by the organisers - ICC for this prestigious tournament in the cricket calendar. In 1996 it was held in the sub-continent and Sri Lanka created history by winning the final at Lahore. In 1999 the competition was held in England. Now for the third successive time in 2003, itwill be in South Africa. We have been entrusted as the official agent - a performance beyond par, Skanda said. The ticket and accommodation should be the guideline to get a ticket for the match. Its a 'must' for any foreigner, who wishes to watch any of the games. Its a 44-day cricket carnival with plenty of action. There are packages - the fans could decide the ones they wish to witness, be it Sri Lanka or otherwise. There is no S. African Consular Office here, but plans are afoot to get an official here to issue tourist visas for those who desire to take wing for this great happening. The current tour to England by the Lankan team is handled by us. Reasonable packages are on offer to watch cricket and S. Africa's tourist attractions - fauna and flora. Skandakumar, of former secretary of the Cricket Board was the chief spokesman at this confab. Despite coming in for a bumper barrage from the media he showed his abundant skills with prompt answers. The others who associated with him - Mr. R. Muralidaran (Director), Lucky Fernando (Director - Tours), Channa Wijemanne (Director - Sales), R. Nazeer (Director - Business Development) -B.W. |
||||||
Copyright © 2001 Wijeya Newspapers
Ltd. All rights reserved. |
