| Sports |
||||
|
Two
gift tries in 3 mts. lets Kandy SC off the hook In the first half Havelocks SC dominated play and they churned out a superb brand of rugby to the echo of 'Go Havies go'. The Hill Capital Club was constantly penalized for infringements and their forwards tended to be too slow. Further added to their woes, reliable Nalaka Weerakody missed two spot kicks that could have gone over the cross bar. To the credit of the Havelocks, they had a Tongan center, granite hard Joseph Vaka who had the power and strength to carry two of his opponents on his own. Kandy could have met their Waterloo at the Park but in the second half they changed their ploy and played to better plan. Of course, aided and abetted by the Havelocks defence who floundered in defence to gift two gift tries with the score at 14-13. Havelocks scored first off a fine move when winger Lakala Perera, off a good move, went over for an unconverted try. They increased their lead to 8-0 off a penalty put over by Tikiri Dissanayake. 8-0. Imagine the match got underway at 4.20 P.M. in humid conditions (proper time 3.40 P.M. due to TV coverage). Just before the short whistle Kandy could have scored when winger Pushpakumara darted through the corner flag but hard running Joseph Waka was there to push him out. After the short whistle Kandy played with renewed vigour. A Havelocks forward in defence knocked on. Winger Pushpakumara took advantage to go over the corner flag. Nalaka fired over from an oblique angle. 8-7. The best try of the day came from Havelocks centre Waka. A deep kick from Nalaka, Waka collected, ran a good 25 yards and punted ahead intelligently. Tongan co-centre Waka picked up to plant near the corner flag for an unconverted try. 13-7. Kandy hit back when the Havelocks fly-half fumbled with the ball in defence. Winger Pushpakumara scored. Nalaka added the extra points. 14-13. Then came two tries in three minutes when the Havelocks defence was in total disarray. Pushpakumara scored an unconverted try again. 19-13. Two minutes later centre Indrajith Bandaranayake scorched his way over the line again against a helpless Havelocks defence to assure Kandy a 26-13 win. Referee Dilroy Fernando. Cricket
Board keen to settle Nimbus issue He said that it is the commitment of the Board of Control for Cricket in Sri Lanka to obey the ruling given by the Arbitration Committee in Singapore and therefore in the best interest of cricket in the country, BCCSL should settle the compensation to the WSG Nimbus. He said that the BCCSL is taking steps to minimize the payment of 11 million dollars claimed by the WSG Nimbus and that the quantum of damages is to be decided upon by the Arbitration Panel in September 2003. A report forwarded by Mr. Anura Tennakoon the Chief Executive of the BCCSL to the new BCCSL on matters requiring urgent attention stated that the Arbitration Committee in Singapore which went into the dispute between WSG Nimbus and BCCSL on the TV Rights Agreement determined that this agreement has been wrongfully terminated by the BCCSL on account of which damages are due to WGS Nimbus from the BCCSL. However, the Arbitration has made a ruling to make a payment of US$ 768,667.39 being monies withheld by the BCCSL and interest at the rate of 6 percent. They have also ordered the payment of S$.440,000 being the cost of arbitration payable to WSG Nimbus. An official of the Interim Committee which terminated the contract, entered with the WSG Nimbus said that they were both legal and professional in terminating the contract. He said that they obtained the opinion from the Attorney General of Sri Lanka and the consent of the Secretary to the Ministry of Sports and youth Affairs. The report forwarded by Mr. Anura Tennakoon, the Chief Executive of the BCCSL on matters requiring urgent attention also states that the BCCSL has been unable to secure the services of a suitable coach for the National Team. Steve Rixon of Australia, John Bracewell of New Zealand, Graham Ford of South Africa and Greg Chappell of Australia were identified as candidates for a coach by the previous committee but most of these persons were unwilling to take up this position due to them having to re-locate with their young families. The report of the Chief Executive of the BCCSL also says they have advertised for a physiotherapist for the Sri Lanka National Team in the APA (Australia Physiotherapist Association) publication and they have been 14 applicants for this position. Why
no live telecast? It is believed that the Interim Committee and the Cricket Board Authorities have not made any effort in this regard as the IC was certain to be out of office when the matches commenced. However the new President of the BCCSL Thilanga Sumathipala when contacted by the Sunday Times last evening promised to speak to a few television stations even at this late stage and look into the possibilities of arranging a live telecast.-MF |
||||
Copyright © 2001 Wijeya Newspapers
Ltd. All rights reserved. |
