The entertainers

By Bernie Wijesekera

The Singer Cup second annual international inter-club rugby final between Bristol University (BU) and West of England (WoE) provided a running rugby fiesta when eight tries were scored by both sides.

In the end, the game played in semi-darkness, saw the Bristol under grads winning by 35 points (two goals, three tries and two penalties) to 21 (three goals) in an exciting match at Longden Place yesterday. At the breather Bristol University led 20-14.

The tournament organised by the CR&FC with the blessings of Singer (Sri Lanka) Ltd., generated superb rugby fare. But ironically there wasn't a crowd to witness this game where two visiting teams locked horns on local soil.

Last year NSW Country XV won the final defeating CR&FC. Mr. Hemaka Amarasuriya, Chairman Singer (Sri Lanka) Ltd., was the chief guest and gave away the awards.

Played in ideal conditions, Bristol University started off with a bang. Off a midfield move, where the ball changed hands continuously, flanker Jack Busby put the icing on the cake for an unconverted try in the fifth minute to lead 5-0.

The nippy BU backline was a treat to watch where they dished out excellent open rugby despite fielding a light pack, compared to their counterparts, who shoved and rucked with enthusiasm.

Bristol University went further ahead when they scored their second unconverted try off a grubber through hooker Simon Goldsmith.

The West of England who played with a host of injured player had to get the services of CR winger Ekanayake. In the 14th minute West of England's back division got their act together for winger Ekanayake to fall over. Simon Bradford added the extra points, 10-7.

BU scored their third try also off a fine move. Full back Mathew Good went over and also added the extra points. 17-7.

West of England had their moment of glory when winger James Smither darted over for a mid-right try which was converted by Paul Mallory. 17-14.

The undergrads playing cohesively went further ahead with a penalty by Mathew Good to lead 20-14 at the breather.

The under grads playing copy book rugby scored again off a scrum. Link-man Danny Wilson moved with perfection and slipped the ball to the flanker. Wilson himself scored on the blind side after a reverse pass. Good added the extra points to lead 27-14 to seal the fate of the match.

Bristol University had much of the good ball from the long throws through Ed Mallett and Paul Katz while the throws to the tunnel were shared. Another penalty fired by Rob Gaylard saw BU lead 30-14.

West of England obtained the services of another CR player - S. Mannan - at this stage, but it was of no avail. Bristol University scored their fifth try through Paul Katz which was not converted. 35-14. Just before the long whistle West of England had all their cylinders blazing to score a smart try through Nick Gulliford. Henry Cripps arrowed it beautifully: 35-21 when referee Roshan Deen blew 'no side'.

Briefly

Rs.100,000 to TU

It turned out to be a Red Letter Day for the Tamil Union C and AC (on Friday Sept. 25), when the club accorded a felicitation dinner to its national cricketers headed by Muttiah Muralitharan for contributing to Sri Lanka's success in the recent English cricket tour.

Muralitharan, speaking on behalf of the cricketers thanked the T.U. for honouring them. He said that his unstinted loyalty is for the club. He also thanked the hierarchy for appointing him as captain and will give of his best for the club to reach greater heights with an unstinted team effort. Of course with coach Darrell Wimalaratne to guide them. It was a fine gesture by 'Murali', when he donated Rs. 100,000/- for the development fund.(BW)

Finals today

The semi finalists were found at the 14th Mercantile Individual Open Badminton championships conducted at the St. Joseph's Indoor courts yesterday.

All seeded players had an easy time in the quarter finals. This tournament is organised by the Mercantile Badminton Association and is sponsored by Douglas and Sons who specialise in Pirelli tyres.(SI)

PoW vs SPC

Defending champions Prince of Wales College Moratuwa and schools cricket champions St. Peter's will clash in the quarter finals of the Sixth Wesley Sixes Cricket Tournament at the Wesley Grounds, Campbell Park today. (SMDS)

Sachin's record

BULAWAYO, Zimbabwe, Saturday (Reuters) - Sachin Tendulkar's world record 18th century inspired India to a convincing eight-wicket win over Zimbabwe in the first one-day international at Queens Sports Club on Saturday.

Sachin Tendulkar's sparkling 127 not out put him ahead of West Indian Desmond Haynes, the previous world record holder for most one-day international hundreds.

Imagine 'Murali' as a quality fast bowler

By Shane Seneviratne

As a nine-year-old Muttiah Muralitharan, Sri Lanka's spinning sensation, wanted to be a fast bowler.

In an Under 13 match against S.Thomas' Gurutalawa, Murali got pasted to such an effect that he broke down and cried. But in the end St. Anthony's Katugastota triumphed, mainly due to Murali's efforts...

These reflections were made by Murali's coach Sunil Fernando when interviewed by The Sunday Times.

Sunil Fernando is doing very well as a cricket coach. He has about 40 to 50 trainees. Amongst his past pupils are Kapila Wijegunewardena, Marlon Von Haght, Piyal Wijetunga and R.Kalpage. Sunil himself has about 25 years service as a coach.

"Yes, I remember Murali coming to me. He was about nine years old then. His mother brought him to me. As a youngster Murali had visions of being a fast bowler. In fact he bowled as a fast bowler for three years.

But he was never cut out to be a paceman. For one thing he was built on the small side and could never get enough bounce to be an effective fast bowler. I coaxed him to take up spin. From then onwards he found himself. He is a gritty player. Never gives up. You notice the determination on his face when he bowls. He was like that even as a a kid. He would spin and spin until the opponents were rattled. Only then would he relax."

Speaking further on Murali's performances as a young cricketer, Sunil Fernando mused... "As a fast bowler you have to be big and have a decent run-up. But as a spinner a few steps before delivery is sufficient. During tha run-up the spinner should decide just where he should land the ball. The field must be set accordingly and the fielders and the wicketkeeper should be alert as well. Then only will a spinner be able take wickets. The state of the wicket should also help spin bowling.

Anyway toget back to Murali's young days, he was good in all departments. His batting was sound, his fielding was always of the highest order and his bowling: on the spot even as a pacie."

"In his first junior match (U-13) against Maris Stella Negombo, he did well as a spinner. There was no suspect action. If there was, I would have corrected him. I am happy that Murali is doing well. Naturally I bask in the glory of his success. I am also happy that I had something to do with his success", said Sunil Fernando.

Wickremasinghe was another who had taken Murali under his wing in junior cricket. When asked about his defective hand Wickremasinghe said vehemently: "Murali does not throw! It was only an excuse to save face by the Aussies. Darrel Hare should be hung by his hair!", defended Wickremasinghe, referring to the incident when Australian umpire called Murali for throwing in Australia a few years ago and started the controversy about Murali's actions.

Both coaches were there when Murali was accorded a grand reception in Kandy and his 'alma mater' at St. Anthony's Katugastota when Murali the hero returned from England almost three weeks ago.

"I cried, but in happiness, maybe like old Silas Marner. I knew I was being a fool. But I couldn't help being a fool because of Murali", said Wickremasinghe in conclusion.

The great sportsman Murali is he donated Rs. 50,000 to his old school and in a magnanimous gesture presented his old coach Sunil Fernando with another Rs. 50,000 as a gift when St. Anthony's honoured him with a reception after his return from England.

Sathasivam the batting maestro

By Edmund Dissanayake

For more than 25 years, M. Sathasivam had held spectators spellbound with his vibrant batting. He played with cricketing greats like F. C. de Saram, Sargo Jayawickreme, Lucien Soysa, B. R. Heyn, Henry Van Buren, C. K. Nayudu, Vijay Merchant, Ray Lindwall, Keith Miller, Weekes, Worrell and Walcot. But he was more than their peer. He was easily the most stylish batsman the world has seen. Records meant nothing to him as he lowered them with consummate ease. No one in Sri Lanka has scored more centuries than he. T. B. Marambe in his book "Pen pictures of our cricketers" states as follows"; There is a touch of arrogance even as he walks to the wicket. There is grace in his movements as he takes guard and looks round the field for the gaps. Out goes his front feet, there is a flash of a white blade and the ball scuds to the ropes. So perfect is his timing, so quick his feet, and so keen his eye".... Between 1934 and 1959 Sathasivam has scored 144 centuries. (Refer to page 50 of the "Royal-Wesley Centenary Cricket Souvenir". Is it little wonder that he captained two countries at cricket?

Let me quote Alfred Moragoda, my former teacher at Wesley, ex CCS, as published in a leading newspaper on October 12 1996... "Satha, was the most naturally gifted batsman the world has ever seen, the most charmingly disdainful of any kind of bowling, the most nonchalant in situations, most graceful. It was well-nigh impossible to set a field to contain him. He found the gaps with effortless ease. And he did it with artistry and finesse.... I have seen Hobbs and Sutcliffe, Hammond and Bradman, Worrell and Sobers, but Satha, was indisputably their peer."

Moragoda continues in lighter vein... "In Satha's last year at Wesley, on the morning of the Royal -Thomian, together with a few friends, he loaded all the flower pots that had the fairest flowers that ever grew in Cinnamon Gardens, into a Jalopy. The morning found these flower pots neatly arranged inside the premises of "Maidens' College". Satha and his friends were singing happy songs within its sacred walls as the maidens arrived.

As word got around, the Principal came on the scene. Satha went down on his knees, one knee following the other in measured time, he came up to the Principal (She had an alphabetical name like L.M.N.O.P.) and asked her to be his bride. The Principal replied that she was still too young to think of marriage but would keep the proposal in mind when she was old enough" ... that was Satha. out of School !

In 1947, All-Ceylon played against South India on the Chepauk Ground. "The Hindu" described Satha's batting thus...' "It was well worth going miles to see the beautiful batsmanship of Sathasivam. There was all the art and style in his innings which was played on dancing feet. He played all shots from the prettiest late cut to the fine leg glance which he did as much as wave it away from his presence. He was the complete master."

Satha's 215 broke the previous ground record of Joe Hardstaff who scored 213 in 1938.

Lucien de Zoysa writing about Satha as published in the "Island" of 29th October 1989 stated... "Satha had the eye of a hawk; the wrists of a fencer; the feet of a dancer. All combined to make a Satha innings a taste of bubbly champagne. His walk to the middle, with his cap at a rakish angle, had style. The nonchalant way he took guard and his stance had style. His every movement had feline grace."

For the record, Sathasivam's photograph appears in the Wesley College M. H. Mohamed Pavilion in a prominent place. An annual award is made in his honour to a Wesley cricketer, "For the most scintillating innings in the season."

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