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Army
salvo too much for Air Force They increased their lead with two more tries through centre Vajira Jayatileke and Sithara who went for his second try. Both were converted by Silva. Minutes before the short whistle Army scored their fourth try when flanker Karunaratne scored by the corner flag for an unconverted try. In the second half the Air Force played a much better game spoiling many scoring chances of their opponents. Centre Vajira Jayatileke scored his second try after receiving a pass from scrum half Naufer Rahim. The kick at goal was missed. Play maker Naufer increased the lead with a try under the post. Once again the kick went astray. The Air Force gave some anxious moments to their opponents and also succeeded in curtailing their scoring efforts. Second rower Nishantha Jayasuriya scored the seventh try for the winners which was converted by Silva to make it 45-0. In the dying stages of the game Air Force scored a consolation try through prop forward Ruwan Seneviratne and the conversion was fluffed by Ranjith Anthony. Referee: Aruna Jayasekera. ABA
intermediate boxing meet The tournament is open to those boxers who are between 17 to 34 years of age and have not won at the Finals of any meet conducted by the ABA/SL, except the Novices and Junior Championships. For the first time in the annals of the history of local boxing, the ABA hopes to conduct the tournament simulataneously on two rings at the same venue to cope up with the expected large number of entries and also to prevent boxing running into late night which is inconvenient to both boxers as well as to officials. Hence the ABA anticipates the full cooperation from all Referees and Judges to be present in time on all three days. The preliminary
weigh-in preceded by the Medical examination will be held on Tuesday
28th May between 8 am and 10 am. at the same venue. All competitors
are expected to produce their Medical Record book at the medical
examination. Army
rugby has come up the hard way Seventy five percent of the players who scrum down at present have not handled a rugby ball in the past. They have learnt the skills after joining the Services. Today some of the talented players have found their way to the national team. This speaks well for their total commitment. Last year the only team to remain unbeaten in the second-leg. Emerged runners-up to Kandy SC - voted the best team for the season. This year GSM Dialog, has afford the squad with a sponsorship package. This will go a long way to further develop the game at grassroots level. Can you record the progress of the Army rugby todate despite exigencies of duty. The commanders past and at present led by Gen. Lionel Balagalle and other senior officers has given all encouragement and inspired the lads. Discuss their problems and take remedial measures, accordingly. Times have changed, but the past cannot be forgotten. Some officers, who were in the squad were serving in the outstations, but still made themselves available and took the field. This had a decisive effect to boost the moral of the players. In the past the soldiers had some outstanding sportsman, the likes of late Denzil Kobbekaduwa, Bertie Dias, Eric Roles, Sena Sylva, Jupana Jayawardena, Dr. C. Thurairaja (who has excelled in many sports) Parry Liyanage "Ganja" Mohmed, Haren Malwatte etc. Of course they have played the game at school level. But the likes of Amaradasa, Gunadasa, S.P. de Silva, Edwin, Sunil Ranasinghe, P.G. Gunawardena, Rodrigo Fernando, Anton Sheddon blossomed out after joining the Army and kept the game alive. I agree Maj. M. Kandiah as chairman of sports a boxer from St.Sylvester's was a key figure in the promotion of Army sports. Due to various factors Army rugby slipped. But it came to surface due to the personal interest taken by my predecessor Brig. J.P.A. Jayawardena, (now Rtd). Two Fijians, too scrummed down with the soldiers to bring forth better flavour. Drafting a foreign coach from Australia, Ken Farrington was his trump card. The light of
the body is the eye. He, still turns up to help them despite in
retirement. At present Army rugby is in a firm footing thanks to
my predecessors. The present committee headed by President Army
Sports Maj. Gen.Lohan Goonewardena, is always on the ball on and
off the field. This was evident at practises and at matches. There is talk floating around that some Services players, joining the Army scrum, this season. Of course if they have left them, they could play on merit, not only for the Army, but for any club, if they desire to do so, Brig. Krishnaratne said. At present the soldiers are being coached by an energetic young coach, Asanga Seneviratne. He is doing a good job with his charges. That, too in an honorary capacity. He has patience and speaks to them in the language they understand best. The Rugby Secretary is Mohan Ratnayake, who is a glutton for work. Their Waterloo
The Army tried to underestimate their opponents. In sheer desperation lost their bearings to Navy's centre Gamage who was injured as a result. Ajith Peiris was shown the yellow card for unwarrented play. Coach Seneviratne should inculcate in them to play it cool at all times. Temper tantrums is not going to help them in their future engagements in this long drawn out season. Airmen
despite limited talent wants to be in the scrum The likes of Tikiri Marambe (now Chairman of Selectors), Sriyantha Rajakaruna, a wing three-quarter iron man Nalin de Silva (present Secretary Rugby Union), Lofty Perera, L. Caldera, a fullback, who lead them to win the Clifford Cup final against Police in 1986, the present coach Harsha Fernando, Tony Wimalasuriya, Channa Gunaratne, a durable fullback (present Chairman of Rugby Committee) etc., were some of them. Air Marshal Harry Gunatilleke, who was also a referee during his time was the mainspring of its rugby promotion campaign. He was in the thick on and off the field. But during the last few years the game came to a virtual halt. But former CH&FC player and a diehard supporter Vijitha Tennakoon kept the sport going despite limited talent. Official commitments took a heavy toll. But they should be lauded for their grit and determination. Burly Harsha Fernando, who handles with the coaching was interviewed by The Sunday Times. He said it was a daunting task to keep the game in surface. At present most of them are newcomers to rugby. A good set of forwards who possess the physical strength. My main aim is the backline. Must improve the third-row. It's a young side, but experience counts a lot. It will take some time. The airmen are taking part purely to give that much needed competition to the lads. The outcome is secondary. Outschoorn from St. Michael's Batticaloa, a basketball player of repute, Varuna Senaratne, a good prop forward, Viraj Devasurendra, a fly-half from Kingswood, Nirantha Sanjeewa, scrum-half also from the Randles Hill School. K. Gunaratne from the rugby development squad, Sanjaya Fernando, the hooker, who is staging a comeback after four years, whilst serving in the North. - BW |
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