18h February 1996

Maris Stella win by six wickets

Maris Stella defeated St. Thomas' Kotte by 6 wickets in their inter schools game played at Negombo yesterday.

Trailing by 17 runs on the first innings St. Thomas' were bowled out for 127 runs in their second innings. Ranga Dias, C. Gunawardene and C. Croos claimed 3 wickets each.

Needing 111 to win Maris Stella reached the target for the loss of 4 wickets. Ranga Dias completed a good match by top scoring with a well compiled 57. St. Thomas' - 182 & 127 all out. (J. Perera 30, R. Goonasekera 30, Ranga Dias 3/37, C. Gunawardene 3/31, C. Croos 3/19).

Maris Stella - 199 all out. (D. Gunawardene 64, S. Perera 5/57, W. Kularatne 3/63) & 113/4 (Ranga Dias 57, S. Perera 2/35).

Roayl vs. Wesley

A solid rear guard action helped Wesley to draw their Inter Schools cricket encounter against Royal at Campbell Park yesterday.

Continuing from their overnight 94/8 Wesley were shuttled out for only 107 runs in their first innings. Skipper Anushka Polonowita claimed 7 wickets for 32 runs with his right arm medium pacers. Polonowita bowled with hostility as the Wesleyites crumbled to his pace.

Following on Wesley were 122/5 at one stage, but a stubborn 6th wicket partnership of 89 runs between A. Gunawardene (43) and M. Karunaratne (50) followed by a 50 run stand for the 7th wicket between Karunaratne and A. Cader (26) saved Wesley from certain defeat. Polonowita was once again the pick of the bowlers claiming 3 for 65 to give him a match bag of 10 wickets for 97 runs.

Royal - 212 all out.

Wesley - 107 all out. (A. Johar 27, Anushka Polonowita 7/32, Yasaswin Dharmaratne 2/11) & 285 all out. (R. Wijetunge 31, D. Jayakody 37, A. Gunawardene 43, A. Cader 26, M. Karunaratne 50, Anushka Polonowita 3/65, D. Livera 3/32.)

SLTA takes Tennis to the provinces

With the blessings of the Ministry of Youth affairs and Sports, and the sponsors Insuarance Corporation, The Sri Lanka Tennis Association have embarked on a promotional drive of the sport in the provinces.

The Coaching/Promotion Committee of the SLTA headed by Lalith Withana has already started a coaching program for juniors at Kurunegala, Negambo and last week at Kandy.

In the first week of March the Coaching Committee will visit Galle. Coaching seminars have been conducted under D.D.N. Selvadurai.

At Kurunegala two coaches Asela Karunaratna and De Abrew have been chosen to continue the promotion programme. While in Negambo, Holsses Gomes and Manik de Silva are conducting coaching clinics.

The SLTA is also assisting tennis playing clubs with donations of nets and tennis balls provided by the sponsors with Kalutara SC, Carlton SC, Airport Recreation Club, Ratmalana YMCA, Mount Lavinia, Cathedral SC and Tamil Union. Assistance is also to be given to the NCC, Cosmas SC, Panadura SC and Moors SC.

Ten cricketers to train at Malayasia

Ten Sri Lankan cricketers have been picked by the Malayasian Cricket Association, funded by the National Sports Council of Malayasia, to play Professional Cricket in Malayasia from next month.

The cricketers picked are:

Chaminda Ranasingha, Pasan Wanasingha, Sanjeewa Weerasingha, Thushara Kodikara, Pulasti Gunaratna, Kishan Dharmasena, S. Don Anurasiri, S.M. Faumi, Sampath Perera, Duncan Arnolda, Sarath Jayawardana and Damian Perera.

They are scheduled to leave for Malayasia on February 26. All players are requested to contact Ajith Abeygunawardana, the representative for Malayasian Cricket Association in Sri Lanka on 071-26245 or 595587/595588 on or before Tuesday, February 29th.