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Tehani
wins the Singapore Open
By Annesley Ferreira
In the Singapore Jr. Open Squash Championship sponsored by the Wilson
Sporting Goods Company Tehani Guruge of Musaeus College won the
U-15 title beating the much experienced Australian top player Rebecca
Thick Broom in straight sets 9/5, 9/1, 9/2. The prestigious championships
were worked off at the Kallang Squash and Tennis Centre, Singapore.
Drawn sgainst
the experienced Rebecca Thick Broom, the Australian number one player
Tehani got in to the packed Kallang Courts with mixed feelings as
Rebecca had beaten her in the Australian Open 2000 in Melbourne.
Rebecca has
stormed in to the final outplaying an array of Singaporean, Malaysian,
Indian and Thai girls with her experience and Superior Court-Craft.
However having closely monitored Rebecca's game plan strengths and
vulnerable areas, the father/daughter combination of Guruges developed
a master strategy to overcome the formidable Aussie challenge. Tehani
carried out the plan to perfection by attacking Rebecca with hard,
low quick returns at every opportunity which had her stranded in
mid-court repeatedly.
Rebecca's coach
Micheal Cornish, the famous Australian coach who had produced a
number of international players expressed his surprise at Tehani's
power play and described the game as "a Sri Lankan blitzkrieg".
Being particularly impressed by Tehani's natural ability, tenacity
and mobility Mr. Cornish said that Tehani has the exiting potential
to reach the highest standards under professional coaching in the
semi-finals. Tehani was given a rude shock by Anya Saengtian of
Thailand who stretched Tehani to a five-setter. Anya is being coached
by the famous Pakistani coach Rahim Gul whose services have been
wisely engaged by the Thai Squash Federation.
Tehani in
luck's way
The Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Johnston Fernando taking
into consideration Tehani's talent and performances has promised
her a five year sponsorship.
Linesmen should be equipped with
a whistle
Police Vs Kandy
(Kandy won 20 - 13)
Police did not deserve to lose. They are improving with every game.
Coach Marso had done his homework. The Police pack must be commended
for their robust and power play which saw a bewildered Kandy running
out of breath. The pace was initially fast but Kandy were able to
take control in the 2nd half. Police missed 2 definite chances of
scoring in the first half. Had they done so, the result of the game
may have been different. Nalaka Weerakkody was a tower of strength
with his hefty kicks to touch which relieved pressure at vital times.
At half time he was replaced due to injury.
Winger Radika
Hettiarachchi took his place with Bandaranayake manning the wing.
This change was a deciding factor in the game with Kandy opting
to work their three quarters in the second half. Apart from his
excellent kicks to touch Hettiarachchi played a great attacking
game joining the threes effectively in this half and scored a fine
try by the corner flag. Also outstanding for Kandy were Centres
Chamara Vithanage and Sajith Mallikarachchi who ran Fly half Harsha
Wijeweera being the pick of the three quarters.
CR &
FC Vs Havelocks
(CR won 42-9)
A crushing defeat for the Havelocks. CR were building up for such
a win. Two fine players in the CR's back division are Winger Musafer
and Centre Kaluarachchi as I mentioned in an earlier Review. They
teamed up well and Musafer was rewarded with 3 tries. The CR chose
to run the ball and this made all the difference. CR Scrum Half
Champika Nishantha is another player to watch this season. He reads
the game well and makes timely breaks from the base of the scrum.
Their forwards played well together completely outplayed the Havies.
For the Havelocks, all I can say is that 'fitness' is an essential
requirement for success. Coach Y.C. Chang's knowledge and experience
that he has to impart to the game will not meet with success unless
players make a personal effort to get themselves into good physical
condition.
Navy Vs Old
Zahirians [OZSC]
(Navy won 25-13)
Although Old Zahirians opened scoring in the 8th minute of the game,
the Navy settled down and led 10-6 [2 tries to 2 penalties] at half
time. In the 2nd half Navy increased their lead and at the long
whistle the Navy won 25-13. Discussing rugby with me during the
game and after I gathered that there were 60 players turning up
for practices for Old Zahirians. They were from
St Peters, Isipathana,
Mahanama and Zahira. This is great for such a Club. But I was told
that sponsors are hard to come by. So it was left to zealous Old
Zahirians to contribute toward the progress of the Club. Well Done,
Old Zahirians.
The OZSC had a flair for running the ball from any situation as
in 7s. They need to concentrate on their Forward play and set pieces.
Malik
Samarawickrema, a staunch supporter of Rugby in Sri Lanka, made
a generous contribution to Navy rugby which was gratefully appreciated
by the players and Officials.
CH&FC
vs Army
A great game by Army who played with purpose. The Army was a much
fitter side than the CH. They began an onslaught into CH territory
and scored with fluency. The CH realizing this, were able to slow
the game down and take control through their forwards, forcing the
Army into mistakes. CH secured more possession through their forwards.
However possession was wasted with aimless kicking and fumbling
by the threes.
However the
2nd half saw a stronger and fitter Army dominating play despite
limited possession. Army Full back Silva once again came up with
a fine performance. CH need a better game-plan. Army must ensure
more possession.
NOTE:The Referees
Society must take serious note regarding Off sides during play.
The Police and Kandy were both affected by this. The Referee has
his hands full during play. When
a ruck takes place he must see whether the ball is handled on the
ground or fouls occur. It is impossible for him to have his eyes
on the three quarters behind him at the same time.
I strongly feel
that Linesmen should be equipped with a Whistle to immediately indicate
when players are Off-side off Rucks or Mauls. This will definitely
contribute toward more open and fair play.
Tidy
Sam wins Senok Trophy successfully
Noel Selvanayagam heads Senok Automobile Ltd., with considerable
success. An enthusiastic golfer, he more often than not moves in
to promote the progress of golf. Last week another effort of his
came good and successful at the Ridgeways of the Royal Colombo Golf
Club. It was a Stableford Competition in 4 divisions.
"A"
Division
Anel de Silva has been a trifle slipshod in recent months not being
able to get his act together. On Saturday he really produced his
old form. A splendid striker of the ball off tee or fairway he coaxed
in a comfortable par round with a Stableford score of 36 points
to find that Chutti Munsoor has been as good with 36 points to tie.
Munsoor is an off and on golfer, splendid one day, rubbish carrier
another day, and that's when his concentration is disturbed by the
green baize where he is an accomplished performer.
There was a count back and Anel de Silva exposed a better rear nine
to be judged the winner. Munsoor showed no regrets.
"B"
Division
Primal Wijenayake designed a great round. Splendid through
the first nine studded with 2 birdies he got into a shell and played
safe detached from flashiness. He was richly compensated with a
rewarding back nine and combined with his front nine effort he collected
40 points and victory. That little fellow Mithum Nandasena came
2nd beaten by a slender margin of one stroke. Navin de Silva collected
a praiseworthy 38 points and so did I. Reyaz, Elmo de Silva, Ken
Sellayah, P. Bishop Vivek Chand and Wenders Sheik played hell with
Michael de Zoysa playing hell merrily.
"C"
Division
H.M. Samaranayake popularly known as 'Sam' learnt his basics in
Zambia. Quite a tidy player he is miserly with his strokes and protects
them as he does the finances of the Sri Lanka Golf Union. His round
was almost error free. Omnipotency assisted him going over water
and jerked him out of bunkers successfully.
Beaming a smile
of victory he strutted up and down the foyer a 41 point winner.
T. Akbarally had good reasons to talk about his round of 36 points.
His better back nine gave him the edge over M.R. Thabrew, Susantha
Pinto, A.H. Sherrifdeen and Radesh Daluwatte.
Those who entertained
with disaster were M. Mevanapalana, Chris Maloy, Nimal Weeraratne,
Anil Panagoda, Siri de Silva and Tissa Wickremasinghe. Failure is
the path of least persistence.
Seniors
Despite ripening age and an impediment to his vision Norman Chandraratne
continues a winning streak in the Seniors. He struck a nett par
round of 36 points Stableford to win the Seniors award and crown
it with a banquet at his Longden Place residence. Siri de Silva
collapsed, recovered and then buried himself with a pauper score
of 12 points.
Miscellaneous
events
Anoup Kundanmal is big and broad shouldered. He hits a helluva long
ball and has the make-up of a good player but unfortunately he has
not appeared on the winning stands. On Saturday he showed probably
the shape of things to come with a magnificant drive of 264 yards
to win a special award and afford Muni cause to celebrate at the
Capri with well wishers. Sunil Jayakody won the prize for getting
closest to the pin off the 9th tee.
Samaranayake
was extremely popular winning the special award as the Best Performer.
A turtle makes progress when it sticks its neck out.
SLARDAR 1000 Rally 2002 in July
By M.Shamil Amit
The much looked forward to event of the year the SLARDAR 1000 Rally
is due to be flagged off for the seventh time at 7.02 p.m on July
5, 2002 from S. de S. Jayasinghe grounds in Dehiwala under the patronage
of the Mayor of Dehiwala/Mt Lavinia Dhanasiri Amaratunge.
The first 1000km
rally was organised by the SLARDAR way back in 1987 and the men
behind plotting the route was Rodney Mason and Naufal Nizar. The
past six winners of this rally have produced six different winners
namely Cassim Wahab, Bandula Weerasinghe, Noel Selvanayagam, Richard
de Zoysa, Pubudu Wickrama and the last winner was Rizvi Farouk.
The rough and tumble of the SLARDAR is such that no one has been
able to win the event twice.
The current
rally is organised by a team headed by Rodney Mason with the support
of Sunil Buddadasa and Mahiman Perera. The organisers briefing the
press in the Mayors office in Dehiwala said that they had problems
with the interim committee who tried to block many of the scheduled
events in their racing calendar but the Minister of Sports Johnston
Fernando has given the green light and pledged his support for this
SLARDAR rally which they said they are greateful for.
On July 5 the
rally will begin its route from Dehiwala and proceed along Kesbewa,
Ingiriya, Kalawana to Rakwana which will be the first stop. On Saturday
morning the route will be Suriyakanda, Wellawaya, Hambantota with
a four hour break and proceed to Kataragama.
The participants
will have full nights rest and start their return trip on Sunday
morning through Uda Walawe, Kalawana, Ingiriya and Horana after
a two hours rest they will proceed to the finishing point at S.
de S. Jayasinge grounds and the first competitor is expected to
arrive around 6.30 p.m.
Rizvi Farouk
will be looking forward to repeat his last years performance and
become the first competitor to win twice.
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