| Sports |
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| Seylan
'wides' give HNB Mercantile A Div. knock-out title Defending a modest 177 runs Seylan Bank playing minus two of their stars Mahela Jayawardene and Chaminda Vaas (both are overseas) did well to stretch their opponents ,but were badly let down by three of their medium pacers Nuwan Kulasekera, Omesh Abeysiriwardene and Dhammika Perera who accounted for 31 wides between them and gifted the game to their opponents. Apart from the wayward bowling from Seylan Bank medium pacers, it was the stubborn innings of Kumar Dharmasena that proved to be the difference between the two sides. Dharmasena anchored the innings in his own inimitable style pushing and plodding as wickets tumbled on the other side. The gutsy all-rounder added 35 runs with Russell Arnold (21) for the 5th wicket and an unbroken 24 runs for the 9th wicket with tail ender Sajeewa Weerakoon to help HNB to a thrilling victory. Earlier HNB were given a good start through a run a ball 37 from Saman Jayantha that included six boundaries. Jayantha's cameo knock helped HNB reach the 50 in only the 10th over. However two quick wickets from man of the series Kaushalya Weeraratne (2/27) brought Seylan back in the game before an avalanche of extras and wides tilted the scales in favour of HNB. Invited to bat first Seylan were in a spot at 17 for 3 wickets when Akalanka Ganegama sent back Opener Nuwan Shiroman and Naweed Nawaz in successive balls in the fourth over. Kumar Sangakkara helped restore some respectability when he added 39 runs with Thilan Samaraweera for the fourth wicket and a further 54 runs for the fifth wicket with skipper Sampath Perera(24). Sangakkara was in good touch when he stroked four boundaries and two sixes in a 100 ball 79 that was the backbone of the Seylan innings. But his departure open the floodgates as spinners Kumar Dharmasena and Kaushal Lokuarachchi strangled the innings sharing five wickets between them to restrict Seylan to 177 all out in the 49 th over. Dharmasena was adjudged man of the match for his unbaten 30 and his 3 for 34.Seylan - 177 in 48.5 overs(Kumar Sangakkara 79 Sampath Perera 24 Akalanka Ganegama 2/18 Kumar Dharmasena 3/34 Kaushal Lokuarachchi 2/30) HNB - 178 /8 in 40.5 overs(Saman Jayantha 36 Russell Arnold 21 Kumar Dharmasena 30 n o Kaushalya Weeraratne 2/27 Omesh Abeysiriwardene 2/35 Nuwan Kulasekera 2/39) Sweet
victory for CH CR were beaten in the first leg 22-14. The Red Shirts fought a relentless battle in the first half with a fine display of open rugby to lead 17-12 at the turn around. They won the battle, but in the end lost the war - losing by 27 points (2 goals, 2 tries and a penalty) to 20 (2 goals and 2 penalty goals) in a rousing contest. To watch this game there were two former Sri Lanka and CR&FC forwards. Evergreen Old Royalist Geoff Weinman who played in 1948-'49) for the Reid Avenue school and Indrajit Coomaraswamy, also a product of Royal who led the Sri Lanka team at the Asiad rugby final at Longdon Place in 1974. Indrajit will miss the Bradby first leg as he was to leave for London last night, but Geoff Weinman has made the trip specially to witness the Bradby first leg on July 19 at Bogambara. Both of them were thoroughly impressed with the performance put up by both teams. CR in the first half played good open rugby and was in the offensive despite an early try scored by CH with the kick off when prop Jayantha Ranaweera crashed over off a ruck. Saranga Jayakody was on target with the conversion to lead 7-0. In the tenth minute CR lost a glorious opportunity. They won the ball in a scrap-heap, but fullback Asanga Rodrigo spilled it inches from the line. The CR back division gave a harrowing time to the CH defence with centre Fijian Charles producing 'black magic' at its best with some daring breaks. In the 19th minute CR scored when winger Old Peterite Dilan Abeygunawardena touched down off a fine move. Roshan Peiris added the extra points. It was rugby football at its best, with the CH defence in tatters. Kinijoji Rakata, who came in as a replacement, but minutes later was sent to the sin-bin for unwarranted play. CR's entire back division played skilful rugby with Savantha De Saram being outstanding. He was injured but came back with typical Thomian grit. (He is an Old Thomian). CR went ahead with a penalty put over by Roshan Peiris 10-7. This was followed by CR centre Charles with a 30 metre solo run, which had the CH defence in disarray. When challenged, he kicked ahead. Shamly Nawaz touched down on the loose ball. Peiruis added the extra points. Kinijoji Rakaata, who returned to the field from the sin bin, hit back with a vengeance to score a superb unconverted try to make it 12-17 at the short whistle. CR went ahead with a penalty put over by Roshan Peiris. The only points the Red Shirts scored after the turn around. The game, moving pendulum-wise, saw CH hit back with another try, the second by Kinijoji off a scrum in the Cr '25'. He used his power to run over the line. Saranga Jayakody arrowed it over to make it 19-20. CH refreshed by this try scored again when Jayakody put over a penalty. 22-20. CH forwards, playing to a better plan and looking much fitter, ran riot in the loose. CR too had much of the good ball but forgot the rules and was constantly blown by the referee Nizam Jamaldeen. Kinijoji, playing copybook rugby stormed his way for his third try to give CH a seven point lead. This went unconverted. But in the second half CH gave a repeat performance of last week's win over Army when they nudged them on the post to win 29-28 to stun the soldiers. For CH, their youngsters showed promise. Denuk Wijeratne, Dushantha Lewke, who are getting a good taste of hard bruising rugby in the on going season. For the CR, Kaluarachchi and Asanga Rodrigo impressed. A spate of mistakes cost them dearly. How bitter the fall can be for CR after being in the lead.How sweet for CH to win the match. Referee Nizam Jamaldeen. Army-Kandy
match today In the first match at the 'Park', Havelocks did well to beat the Army. The trophy is decided on the overall aggregate. The match will be keenly contested. The Havelocks are a much improved side and could give the soldiers a close run in their own backyard. (B.W) |
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