Zahira stun Thurstan to win President's Trophy

By Saif Izzadeen

A scintallating try by winger M. Fazmy, nine minutes from full time, saw Zahira' rugby power in full strength as they made history by winning the President's Trophy on their first appearance in the final of this prestigious tournament.

They scored 11 points (one try and two penalties) to 9 (three penalties) win over Thurstan in the final at the Sugathadasa Stadium yesterday. The scores were deadlocked at 3 all at lemons.

Zahira who started to play the game in 1920 appeared twice in the President's Trophy but couldn't make much of an impact. This year, however, they made sure that they will not let this golden opportunity go a begging and made use of it to the hilt.

This was Zahira's first major trophy win after playing the game for 78 years.

Zahira played one of their best games and most probably the game of the season.They came out as men possessed. They looked like men on a mission. And they did it in style.

Zahira enjoyed much of the possesion and had the Thurstan defence scattered all over the field in the face of their rugby power. They made several breakthroughs through No8 Naim Ali and winger T.S.Sabreen, but Zahira were unable to make use of their moves due to poor support play.

They dominated the game from start to finish and ran out deserving winners. On the other hand, Thurstan were out of place and couldn't stop the fast open rugby played by Zahira.Thurstan's attacking play was limited as they got the ball only in fits and starts.

Both teams were engaged in a ding-dong battle with Zahria having more of the ball. The first scoring was done by Zahira after a barren 22 minutes when M. Fazmy put over a 35 metre penalty to give Zahira a 3-0 lead. Two mintues later Thurstan levelled scores at 3 all through a 20 metre penalty put over by Mohammed Rilwan. Zahira always played an attacking game and they allowed Thurstan to show their colours only in flashes.

However, Thurstan were able to regain the lead at 6-3, five minutes later through a 25 metre penalty by Mohammed Rilwan but their lead was short lived as Zahira hit back in injury time through a 15 metre penalty by M. Fazmy which helped Zahira to level the scores at 6 all. This was the score at the end of the first half. Both teams missed three penalties in the first session.

Zahria never let up as they had the Thurstan defence guessing all the time. Thurstan snatched back the lead in second half as well at 9-6 in the sixth minute, when they put over a 30 metre penalty by Mohammed Rilwan. Zahira then got hold of the game and dominated. Their crowning moment came in the 21st minute when they scored a try through winger M. Fazmy.

Zahria won a penalty 10 metres from the Thurstan goal line and they took a short tap. In the three quarter move which originated, winger M. Fazmy touched down mid left However the conversion was fulffed, this uncoverted try gave Zahira a11-9 lead, amidst jubilation from their supports. This was the final score when Asela de Silva blew no side.

It was disheartening to note that a section of the crowd manhandled the referee but others intervened and brought the situation under control.

In the Under17 final Kingswood, Kandy made sure that they will have a share in the tournament when they scored a close 8 (one try and one penalty) to 7 (one goal) win over St.Peter's which helped them to clinch the title in that age group. The Peterite try was scored by flanker Mario Oorloff, which was converted by winger Lakala Perera. For Kingswood prop forward J.C.B Galgamuwa scored the try However the conversion was missed by Harshana Wijeweera but later made amends when he put over the match winning penalty, .Referee P.G.Gunawardena.

Minister Jeyraj Fernandopulle was the chief guest and gave away the awards.

Netball final today.

The A Division netball finals between Ports Authority and Hatton National Bank conducted by the Western Province Netball Association for the Eva Open League championships sponsored by ICL Marketing (Private) Limited will be played today at Police Park.

This final will be played at 3.30 p.m. Meanwhile, Textwood Industries will meet Henry Pedris in the C Division first semi-final at 10 a.m. followed by the second semi-final between Police Field Force Vs. Deethi SC Gampaha. The under 12 D Division semi-finals will also be played in the morning between, Buddhist College and Sacred Heart Convent Galle, St. Joseph's, Nugegoda and Sujatha BMV.

Puwakpitiya BMV will meet St. Anthony's Katugastota in the first semi-final of the under-15 section, while St. Joseph's, Nugegoda will take Buddhist College in the second semi-final. (AF)

Rover pinpoints....

Minister's request turned down?

The Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports requests the Cricket Board to send Roshan Mahanama to Australia for one month to correct his technique. The Minister's request has been turned down by the Cricket Board, Rover learns.

The Cricket Board states that the request should come from the selectors and not from the Minister.

Who's using the Mobitel?

Rover learns that the Mobitel given to a leading member of the Cricket Board is now being used by a complete outsider - a female. How about that Mr. President?

Duncan White forgotten?

Not a word was mentioned by the National Olympic Committee (NOC) or the Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports about the passing away of Duncan White who brought honour to Sri Lanka (Ceylon). A shame indeed.

Many past sportsmen and women told Rover it is nothing but a fitting tribute to erect a statue of Duncan White at the Sports Ministry Sports Complex.

Fighting for positions

A women's basketball team is due to participate in the Asian Championships from August 11 to 22.

The tussle for officials to accompany the team is on, with a certain official being supported by a Sports Ministry officer. A protest has been made by other officials, but no action is being taken.

Rover scores

The exposure of an affiliate attending meetings of the Table Tennis Association without being elected has drawn results, with the President of the TT Association stating that this affiliate Association will be dissolved and a new annual general meeting held soon.

Stage set for keen hockey final today

By S.M.D.Sirisena

Colombo beat Wennappuwa 1-0 at the Sri Lanka Hockey Nationals now in progress at the Astro Turf Reid Avenue.

Twenty two minutes into the second half Godwin Solomans scored the winning goal for Colombo. With this win Colombo emerged Group A leaders and entered the semi finals. Defending champions Defence Services were the runners up in Group A.

In Group B Mercantile were the group leader while Matale became the runners-up.Today Mercantile meet Matale in the first semifinal.

In other matches played yesterday, Mercantile beat Sri Lanka Schools 2-1 (half time 1-1) Indika Hewawasam and Charith Senanayake scored goals for the winners. U.D.Daniska scored for the losers.

Matale beat Nationalised Services 2-0 (half time 2-0). Manjula Karunaratna and M.Selveen scored for Matale.

State Services registered an impressive 5 goals to 0 victory over Galle. (half time 1-0) D.Wijesingha, S.Hettiarachchi, L.Ekanayaka, M.Vithana, A.C.P.Perera, converted goals for the State Services.

Colombo beat last year's runners up Matale 1-0, (half time 0-0 ) Asoka Perera scored the solitary goal for Colombo.

Mr. Hemaka Amarasuriya, Chairman Singer will be the chief guest today and Mr. Walter Jayasuriya will be the guest of honour.

More rugby clubs?

Nobody can deny that truth prevails in the end - the beautiful game of rugby is on the upward trend - thanks to the foreigners in the scrum playing for the respective clubs.

In turn it has improved the skills of the local players and there is tremendous competition among the participants, which augurs well for the future of the game.

Good example is Petersons SC. In the past they could be beaten by at least 50 points, to pile on bonus points. But it's not so today. They beat the Havies after a keen contest at Longden Place. Today, more schools have taken to the sport, even in the outstations. (BW)

Johnpillai best cager player

Jude Johnpillai from Hatton National Bank was picked the best player in the Mercantile 5-a-side basketball championships sponsored by Union Assurance Limited and conducted by the Mercantile Basketball Association concluded at the St. Joseph's College Indoor Courts at Darley Road.

In the A Division final, Hatton National Bank beat Sampath Bank A by 54 points to 40, while Hatton National Bank B won the B Division final defeating Commercial Bank A 25 points to 15, and Akbar Brothers beat Eagle Informatics by 15 points to 12 in the C Division final. Ceylon Tobacco beat Metropolitan by 16 points to 6 to win the D Division title.

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