OUT OF MY WAY. A Trinity player attempts to run through a scattered Thomian defence. Action from the annual Trinity-S.Thomas' rugby encounter where Trinity triumphed 31-8 to retain the Canon R.S.de.Saram Shield. Pic by Dunstan Wickremaratne.
A hat-trick of tries by winger Prasanna Jayawardene helped Trinity to a rousing 31 points (4 goals and a try) to 8 (one try and a penalty) victory over S.Thomas' to retain the Canon R.S.de Saram Shield in the Inter-School rugby encounter at the Sugathadasa Stadium yesterday.
The Thomians suffered their first defeat for the season as their defences crumbled in the face of some spectacular running by Jayawardene who made the difference between the two sides.The margin of victory would have been much higher if Trinity skipper Nuwan Fernando had not missed three penalties, all within kicking range.
The Lions attacked with the kick-off and had the Thomians defending from the start. Their forwards although smaller in size outplayed the Thomians in the loose. Supported by a swift back division Trinity made inroads to their opponents territory to unsettle the home team.
Trinity opened scoring in the 26th minute when winger Prasanna Jayawardene collected a ball in his own territory and made a sizzling 60 metre run to score under the posts leaving the the Thomian defenders clutching at thin air. Nuwan Fernando added the extra points. STC reduced the gap immediately, when Ahamed made no mistake with a 40 metre penalty after missing two kicks earlier.
After the breather Trinity stepped up their attack through a combination of moves by their forwards and back division. However it was a another solo effort from Jayawardene that earned the Lions their second try. He collected a loose ball in midfield and sliced past a host of Thomian defenders to score under the post. Fernando added the extra points as Trinity led 17-3.
Jayawardene completed his hat-trick when he touched down off a five metre scrum to put the issue beyond doubt for the Thomians. However the home side earned some consolation late in the second half when Chanaka Perera touched down for an unconverted try.
The visitors added the icing on the cake when Jayawardene made another daring 50 metre run before generously handing over the ball to team mate Shanika Wickremasinghe, inside the goal line, to touch down. Fernando added the extra points for the Lions to record a roaring 31-8 victory.
Refree.Roshan Deen
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, June 6 (Reuter) - West Indies, powered by the exciting strokeplay of Stuart Williams and Brian Lara, beat Sri Lanka by 35 runs after setting the world champions a target of 284 to win their one-off limited overs international on Friday.
Only Captain Arjuna Rantunga, Opener Sanath Jayasuriya and all rounder Kumar Dharmasena could reach respectable scores against a pace battery of West Indies bowlers.
Jayasuriya, who had to retire after he was struck by a ball returned on the fall of the fourth wicket to score a quickfire 44 which included a massive six and seven fours.
Earlier West Indies, sent in to bat by the World Cup champions, reached 283 for seven off their 49 overs after the game was reduced from 50 overs an innings because of early morning rain.
The imposing total was built around a scintillating third-wicket partnership of 124 between opener Williams, who made a one-day best knock of 91, and Lara, who stroked 68.
The pair took the score from a shaky 46 for two to a comfortable 170 for three.
ScoreboardWest Indies S.Williams c Liyanage b Jayasuriya 91 J.Murray c Murulitharan b S.de Silva 2 F.Rose c Dharmasena b A.de Silva 7 B.Lara c Liyanage b Jayasuriya 68 C.Hooper c Kaluwitharana b Jayasuriya 25 F.Reifer c Atapattu b Jayasuriya 9 R.Holder not out 41 L.Williams c Dharmasena b Jayasuriya 14 C.Ambrose not out 9 Extras (lb 10, nb 3, w 4) 17 Total (49 overs) 283 Fall of wickets: 1-11, 2-46, 3-170, 4-183, 5-211, 6-220, 7-254. Did not bat: D.Ramnarine, C.Walsh. Bowling: Liyanage 9-1-36-0, S.de Silva 7-0-58-1, A.de Silva 3-0-20-1, Murulitharan 10-1-58-0, Dharmasena 10-0-42-0, Jayasuriya 10-0-59-5. Sri Lanka S.Jayasuriya c S.Williams b L.Williams 44 M.Atapattu c Hooper b Walsh 1 A.de Silva c Hooper b Ambrose 7 A.Ranatunga c Ambrose b Ramnarine 53 H.Tillekeratne c Reifer b L.Williams 2 R.Mahanama c Ambrose b Ramnarine 15 R.Kaluwitharana b Hooper 9 K.Dharmasena not out 51 D.Liyanage c and b L.Williams 43 M.Muralitharan not out 5 Extras (lb-8 nb-2 w-8) 18 Total (8 wickets - 49 overs) 248 Fall of wickets: 1-6 2-19 3-39 4-89 5-121 6-139 7-150 8-241 Bowling: Ambrose 7-1-19-1 (nb1, w4), Walsh 8-1-27-1, L.Williams 8-0-56-3 (w3), Rose 6-0-45-0 (nb1), Hooper 10-1-39-1 (w1), Ramnarine 10-0-54-2.
Zahira College, in a giant-killing performance, beat a much fancied St. Peter's team by 17 (1goal,2 tries) to 8 (1 try,1 penalty) in the Milo Group B Inter-School rugby football tournament match at the CR and FC grounds yesterday.
St Peter's scored the first try in the 20th minute when they surged ahead through an unconverted try by AchalaSilva. Zahira were able to level the score in the 25th minute through a unconverted try by Niyam Ali. A few minutes before half time St. Peter's missed a penalty when Ishan Sheriffdeen failed with a 30 metre kick at goal. At the breather the scores were dead-locked at 5 all.
In the second half it was all Zahira where they were able to cross their opponent's goal line on two occasions. A few mintues into the second half St. Peter's went ahead 8-5 through 25 metre penalty by Ishan Sheriffdeen. Zahira took control of the game from there onwards and scored twice. The Maradana lads took a (10-5) lead through an unconverted try by Shazeem Sabreen in the 25th minute. A few minutes before the long whistle, Zahira stretched their lead to 17-8 through a converted try by M.J.M Mushtaq. This was the final score at the long blast.
Referee Mr. P.G.Gunaratne.
Earlier Zahira beat St. Peter's 7-nil in the junior game.
CR&FC were given some anxious moments although they beat Old Trinitians by 24 points (3 goals and a penalty) to17 (2 goals and a penalty) in their Carlsberg Trophy Inter-Club A Division league championship rugby game at Nittawela yesterday.
The winners took the lead through a try by No 8 Rucanti in the 12th minute which was goaled by Shanitha Fernando at the breather.
After the turn around, Old Trinitians scored through Riaan Botha with Nishantha Welagedera adding the extra points.
CR increased their tally with a penalty put over by Shanitha Fernando who later on goaled a try scored by Cheluka Hapugoda.
Paul Bennet put the issue beyond doubt with a try in the 40th minute of the second session which was goaled by Shanitha Fernando.
Old Trinitians reduced the lead through a 45-metre penalty put over by Welagedera who also goaled the try scored by Ravindra Vagodapola.
Referee Orville Fernando.
Our correspondent adds that the referee who was booed at during and after the match, challenged spectators, but was led away by policemen on duty at the ground.
Havelocks crushed the CH&FC by 32 points (3 goals, 1 try, 2 penalties) to 8 (1 try and a penalty) at Havelock Park last evening. Havies led 7-nil at half time.
Gideon Raka, Thushara Jayalath, Fiaz Rushdi and Shantha Perera scored a try each for the Park Club with Amitha Ratnayake goaling three and putting over two penalties.
For CH, No 8 Faatoni Tulli touched down with Jude Dimithri putting over the penalty.
* TODAY: Kandy will take on Air Force at Nittawela.
England, Saturday (Reuter)- Australian captain Mark Taylor found his form at last to lead defiant resistance on the third day of the first test against England at Edgbaston today.
Batting again 360 behind after England declared their first innings at 478 for nine, Australia reached 133 for one when rain brought an early tea.
Taylor was 66 not out, his first half-century in 22 test innings since December 1995.
Another personal failure, together with an Australian defeat, would have further increased the pressure on Taylor to stand down.
He showed few nerves, however, in easier batting conditions than the first innings when Australia were routed for 118.
Taylor struck six fours and the first six of the match in completing his half-century off 69 balls.
Matthew Elliott stayed with him until the 37th over and had made 66 when off-spinner Robert Croft bowled him, prodding forward.
Greg Blewett joined Taylor, but almost immediately rain fell for the second time in the day.
An hour was lost when play could not resume after lunch and
further showers were forecast, adding to the faint hope of the Australians clawing their way to survival.
Against that, they were without Mark Waugh, who was detained in hospital for 24 hours after suffering stomach pains.
Earlier, England had batted on for nine and a half overs, losing three wickets in adding 29 to their overnight total of 449 for six.
Mark Ealham was left not out on 53, emulating Nasser Hussain and Graham Thorpe in passing his previous highest test score.
Mike Kasprowicz deservedly picked up two more wickets, having Croft (24) and Darren Gough (0) both caught behind.
Those catches for Ian Healy gave him six, a personal best in test cricket, which equalled the record for an Ashes innings jointly held by Rodney Marsh (Australia) and Jack Russell (England).
BIRMINGHAM, England, June 7 (Reuter)- Bangladesh could become the next test-playing country, but may have to wait a while longer, the International Cricket Council (ICC) chief executive said on Saturday.
Their application is on the agenda of the ICC annual meeting in London next week.
"They've got 115 million people and have won the ICC Trophy (to qualify for the 1999 World Cup)," said David Richards, the ICC's chief executive.
"Their cricket culture goes back a long time. But it's probably more likely in the foreseeable future rather than next week."
Royal bagged both the boys under14 and 16 titles in the Public Schools Boys tennis championships conducted by the Sri Lanka Boys Schools Tennis Association concluded at the National Tennis Centre Courts at Greenpath.
In the under 14 final, Royal beat Ananda by 35 points to nil and in the under 16 beat Ananda again by 30 points to 5.
Respective results.
Boys Under 14 - Singles - Sanjee Paramanathan beat Dinuka Ranaweera 7-2, Nishan Walgampaya beat D. Mayadunne 7-2, Manjula Ariyasena beat Dhanuska Liyanage 7-2.
Doubles - Eran Weerakoon/Ravi Munasinghe beat Milanda Ranatunga./T. Samarasinghe 7 nil. Suranga Rajapaksea/R. Gunaratne beat S. Liyanawella/Sehan Ratnaweera 7 - nil.
Boys under 16 - Singles - Janak Gunatilleka beat Thushan Gunaratne 9 nil, Roshan Peiris beat Dhanushka de Silva 9-nil, Rajith Savanadasa lost to Dileepa Banagalle 9-3.
The 17-member Sri Lankan swimming team led by Gheffari Dulapandan (men) and Natasha Kodit-uwakku (women) left to Chinese Taipei on Friday to take part in the Second International Age Group Swimming Championships from June 10 to 16.
Six newcomers have made it to the Sri Lankan swimming team.
This is in addition to six swimmers from the outstations who have made the grade, which augurs well for the sport in the island. Amongst the swimmers who fared well and annexed diplomas last time are Dulapandan, Kodituwakku and Sean Lee.
Coach Rizvi Zain expects more diplomas from the swimmers this time as they have been in constant training.
In addition, they have gained a vast experience by participating in the Asia Pacific meets held in South Korea, Colombo, New Delhi, Hong Kong, China and Taipei in the recent past.
The Sri Lanka team:
Woman - Natasha Kodituwakku (St. Bridget's), Dakshana de Alwis, Asangi Wijesundera (Visakha), Zoe Sandhya Veera (Anula Vidyalaya), Theekshana Ratnasekera (Museaus College), Radeesha Daluwatte (Ladies College).
Men - Gheffari Dulapandan (Royal Union), Eranga Fernando, Gemunu Corea (S.Thomas' Mt. Lavinia), Anuradha Perera, Shevantha de Silva (Trinity), Ravi de Silva (Royal), R.Ranjan, H.E.Nishantha, Ajith Weerakody (Ambalangoda), Gayon Bogollagama (Asian International School).
Officials - J.A.S.Somachandra (Manager), Coach - Rizvi Zain. - AF
Fifteen-year-old Rakitha Wijetunga did Sri Lanka proud in his debut in international Moto Cross taking the number 1 slot in the Class 1 solo 250 cc motorcycle at the Hosakote Stadium, India.
This Wesley College student who started his racing career when he was just nine years old, is still not old enough to get a licence to ride a motor-bike on the streets of Sri Lanka.
But he showed his ability and maturity by beating the top riders in India. Beating the seasoned Indians campaigner Zubin Patel enabled Rakitha to bag the MRF International Moto-Cross championships which won him headlines in the Indian newspapers.
''Splendid show by Rakitha Wijetunga,' ''Rakitha is darling of the crowds' ''15-year-old Rakitha rides to victory'' ''Sri Lanka flavour for Indian moto-cross.'' ''15-year-old Lankan steals the limelight.''
Meanwhile, Kalyan Ashok describes the Sri Lankan as his ''looks certainly can be deceptive and seems to be a typical teenager clad in Bermuda shorts and a T-shirt just having fun with his team mates.''
''Beneath that beguiling exterior, there lurks a speed merchant who can take your breath away, as he zooms on a souped-up 125 CC Yamaha.''
''I am not the kind of 15 year old, you find here or in the West. Riding is my passion and I am not afraid'', says the youngster. About motocross, Rakitha says, ''it's thrilling alright. But it is a scary business'' and this does worry him. It was Lankan, Shane Gunawardena who first recognised young Rakitha's talent and nurtured it.
''Shane was great help to me in the beginning and he taught me all bikes and how one goes about racing the thoroughbreds, I consider beating my teacher Shane at the Pannala Motocross as among my biggest achievements of my career,'' says Rakitha.
The victory at Hosakote was a memorable moment for Rakitha who was delighted by the spectators' response to his victory. ''The track was good, though not on par with the ones in Sri Lanka. I wished the table tops had a little more height."
"I would have jumped a lot higher and done a few tricks. Once I did the table top jump, taking away both my hands off the bike while in the air. You know, without some good stunts, riding is not fun," says Rakitha.
Rakitha's ultimate goal will be to ride the big ones, 250 cc four stroke bikes and win super races abroad. He is sponsored by Caltex.
He is also a talented cricketer, says Bandula Warnapura, but his first love is moto cross.
The Sunday Times wishes him well.
Rakitha Wijetunga, the winner is flanked by the runner-up Zubin Patel (No. 8) and Lanka's Udesh Wedisinghe.
Menuka Keenavinna's second century for the season (129) enabled Royal B, to beat Gurukula MMV A by 12 runs in their schools under 15 Horlicks Trophy encounter played at the Royal Junior grounds at Reid Avenue.
In Gurukula's innings of 299, with two half centuries coming from G. Chaminda (68), and M. Prasad 51, Royal skipper Dulip Kurugama captured 5 for 71.
Royal 311 all out. (Menuka Keenavinna 129, Dulminda Harischandra 75, Saheed Mohammed 31, Vinstan Joseph 30, D. Indrajeewa 3 for 75.)
Gurukula MMV 299 all out. (G. Chaminda 68, M. Prasad 51, G. Madusanka 45 , D. Mangala 35, Dulip Kuragama 5 for 71, Janath Pattiarachchi 2 for 51).
– (AF)
The Gampaha District Cricket Association in conjunction with Mead Johnson Nutritionals have organized a 30 overs Knock-out Cricket tournament amongst the clubs in the Gampaha District.
The Champions will receive the Sustagen Trophy and a cash award while the runner-up will also receive a trophy and a cash award. Several leading teams in the District are scheduled to participate.
Deepika Rodrigo who bagged a triple winning the womens singles, doubles, doubles and mixed doubles at the 8th Chrys Gunaratne Memorial open table tennis championships and was picked the Most Outstanding Player of the tournament at the S. Thomas' Indoor Stadium, Mount Lavinia.
Tilini L. Piyadasa also won a triple. He won the men's singles, men's doubles and boy's under 19 singles titles in this championships.
This tournament was sponsored by Abans.
Results- Finals. Men's singles - Thilini L. Piyadasa beat Indika Prasad 21-16, 21-16, 21-9. Women's singles- Deepika Rodrigo beat Samantha Jayadeva 21-18, 21-15, 16-21, 21-16. Men's doubles - Thilini L. Piyadasa/Indika Prasad beat D. M. G. S. Kumara/K. S. T. Chalitha 17-21, 21- 19, 21-10. Women's doubles - Deepika Rodrigo/Namal Gunasekera beat Punya Nanayakkara/S. Dissanayake. 21-11, 21-13. Mixed doubles - Deepika Rodrigo/Indika Prasad beat Ravi Vindyan/Dilmini Direckze 21- 8, 13-21, 21-12. Boy's under 19 singles- Thilini L. Piyadasa beat Ravi Vindyan 21-19, 21-10. Girls under 19 singles- R. Kameel beat D. Gunawardena 21-12, 21-17. Boy's under 17 singles- D. Herath beat R. Sirisena 22-20, 21-15. Girl's under 17 singles- R. Kameel beat D. Madawela 19-21, 21-15, 21-19. Boy's under 15 singles- Yohan Deshapriya beat D. Deshapriya 21-10, 21-11. Girl's under 15 singles- D Madawela beat S. de Silva 21- 10, 21- 10. Boy's under 13 singles- Y. Deshapriya beat D. Deshapriya 21-15, 21-16. Girl's under 13 singles - H. Kaluarachchi best S. de. Silva 22-24, 21-8, 21-15. Boy's under 11 singles- T. Samaraweera beat N. Gunasekera 21-13, 21-16. Girl's under 11 singles- Dinali Galagedera beat N. Aponso 21-14, 21-11. Boy's under 9 singles- C. Dissanayake beat Muditha de Silva 21-16, 21-11. Girl's under 9 singles- N. N. Jaasooriya beat Malika Madushani 21- 15, 21-16.
Pesi Pestonjee Managing Director of Abans was the chief guest and gave away the trophies. – (AF)
The Virtus Et Veritas - Walkathon 3 organised by the Old Boys Union of St. Peter's College, will be held this morning at 8 a.m. from the college grounds at Bambalapitiya.
This walk has been organised to celebrate its 75th anniversary, in aid of the College Development Fund.
Sri Lanka Army bagged the Layton Cup boxing championships for the 14th year in succession. They had 7 winners out of the 12 bouts. The meet concluded late on Friday night at the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium.
This meet also served as the first trial for the SAF Games conducted by the Amateur Boxing Association (ABA).
Schoolboy B. Wickremasinghe of Vidyartha, Kandy fighting in the colours of the Central Province Boxing Organisation was picked as the best boxer in the Fly-weight category, while A.B. Weeraparakrama of the Air Force for his plucky parfomance against Wickremasinghe, was chosen the best loser.
Twenty boxers were chosen to the National Pool for the SAF Games under Coach, Brig. Rupasinghe and Manager, Major Mahinda Hettiarachchi.
Three boxers will also be picked to participate in the Asian Championships in Malaysia in August this year.
The results of the respective bouts:
Light fly weight under 48 kgs. E.A. Aragoda (Army) beat W. Proboda (Army). Fly weight under 51 kgs - B. Wickremasinghe (Vidyartha) beat A.B. Weeraparakrama (Air Force). Bantam weixght under 54 kgs - D.P.R. Dayananda (Army) beat R.T.O. Dissanayake (Air Force) knock-out in third round. Feather weight under 57 kgs - N.B. Walisundera (Vidyartha) beat I.G.D.N. Thushara (Air Force). Light weight under 60 kgs - L.J. Perera (Army) beat M.K. Marikar (Air Force). Light welter weight under 63 kgs - R.J. Hettiarachchi (Nugegoda BC) beat S.P.C.K. Jayatilleka (Army). Welter weight under 76 kgs - R.K. Sumith Prasanna (Army) beat M.R.K. Marikkar (Nugegoda BC). Light middle weight under 71 kgs - E.P.D.S. Pathirana (Army) beat H.A.C. Hettiarachchi (Army). Middle weight under 75 kgs - S.K. Kiri Banda (Army) beat W.P. Mendis (Police). Light heavy weight under 81 kgs - L.T. Bandara (Army) beat H.M.S.P. Wanninayake (Army). Heavy weight under 91 kgs - Ajantha Gamini Perera (Police) beat R.S.N. Bandara (Air Force).
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