SSC face uphill task

By Marlon Fernandopulle

Tamil Union were strongly placed and were well set to win the Cricket Boards Under 23 final against SSC at the end of the second days play at Maitland Place yesterday.

After the top order gave a flying start on Friday, Tamil Union tailenders continued to pile on the agony with some defiant batting.

Malintha Gajanayake cracked a whirlwind half century and put on 57 runs for the 7th wicket with Indika Konara(31), Then Muditha Maduwantha (26 n o) and Ranga Dias(21) frustrated the SSC bowlers further with a 43 run stand for the 8th wicket.

Both partnerships ensured that the visitors crossed the 400 run mark to leave the home side with an uphill task.

Darshana Gamage was the most successful bowler taking 3/105 while Dilhara Fernando, T Samaratunge and Suresh Perera chipped in with two wickets each.

Despite two solid half century partnerships SSC lost wickets at regular intervals to be 188 for 5 at the close. The home side were sitting pretty at 100 for 2 but lost two wickets in quick succession to be 101 for 4.However Tilina Embuldeniya(39) and Rajitha Basnayake(34 n o) injected some life to the innings and kept the home sides hopes alive with a 64 run stand for the 5th wicket. But with the stand broken SSC were left with a tall order of reaching Tamil Unions first innings total.

For the visitors Brigesh Jeganathan and S Weeraman were the pick of the bowlers claiming two wickets each.

Tamil Union - (320/6 overnight) 416 all out(M Gajanayake 54 O Warnapura 20 I Konara 31 M Maduwantha 26 n o R Dias 21 Dhrshana Gamage 3/105 Dilhara Fernando 2/89 T Samaratunge 2/64 Suresh Perera(jnr) 2/64

SSC-188/5 at close (Mahesha Dissanayake 41 Wesley Fernando 26 Tilina Embuldeniya 39 Rajitha Basnayake 34 n o Ranil Dhammika 13 n o B Jeganathan 2/44 S Weerakoon 2/45)

Inter School Cricket

Prince Of Wales in a resounding win

By S.M.D.Sirisena

Prince of Wales scored a resounding 10 wicket win over Maliyadeva in their inter school cricket match at Moratuwa yesterday.

Prince of Wales resuming from their overnight score of 191 for 5 took their score to 268 for 6 dec thanks to a sixth wicket stand of 138 runs between Buddika Dananjaya(100n.o) and Shan Wijeratne (42)

Maliyadeva batting in their second turn with 152 runs behind were able to make 164 runs thanks to a stylish 57 by skipper B. Ellepola.

Maliyadeva - 116 and 164 all out in 42.2 overs(B.Ellepola 57, S.de Silva 18; Janaka Goonaratne 3 for 39, Lanka Laknath 2 for 15)

Prince of Wales - (191 for 5 overnight) 268 for 6 dec in 73 overs(Buddika Dananjaya 100n.o; Shan Wijeratne 42; B.Ellepola 3 for 67, P.Rajasinghe 2 for 42) and 12 for no loss

Mubarak, Perera help Royal

The inter school cricket match between Royal and St.Sebastian's ended in a draw at Moratuwa yesterday.

The second days' highlight was the 102 runs partnership for the fourth wicket between Jehan Mubarak (86) and Danushka Perera 50 not out.

Royal - 206 and 217 for 4 in 56 overs(S.Fernando 18, M.Thotuwilage 18, R,Jayasuriya 28, Jehan Mubarak 86, Danushka Perera 50n.o)

St.Sebastian's - (172 for 3 overnight) 301 for 9 dec 78.5 overs(S.de.Silva 35, Patrick O'Brian 30, Nuwan Fernando 61, Yohan Gunawardena 35; Harith Rajakaruna 3 for 52, J.Mubarak 3 for 65, Fazal Ahamed 2 for 17) - (SMD)

Perera (4 for 32) shines in drawn game

The St.Benedict's-Wesley inter schools cricket encounter ended in a tame draw at Kotahena yesterday after rain stopped play at 3.00 pm.

Continuing from their overnight 103/7,Wesley were bowled out for 133 giving them a 35 run first innings lead.Spinner Shehan Perera was the pick of the Benedictine bowlers claiming 4 for 32.

Batting a second time the home side were 85 for 5 when rain halted play. .G M Theeban top scored with 34.

St Benedict's-98 & 85/5(G M Theeban 34 Suranga Fernando 24 n o F Maharoof 2/17 R Kanagesabey 2/8)

Wesley -103/7 overnight 133 (Shehan Perera 4/32)-MF

Three half centuries in drawn game

Three half centuries featured in the drawn inter school cricket match between Vidyanatha and Kingswood at Police grounds yesterday.

Kingswood - 243 for 9 in 81.3overs(M.Rameez 32, M.Wattegedera 39, B.Ekanayake 53, C.Seneviratne 45; B.Chandrasiri 5 for 67, R.Wijesinghe 2 for 42, S.Nanayakkara 2 for 52) and 40 for 4 (M.Rameez 19, T.Madanayake 14; R.Wijesinghe 2 for 13)

Vidyratha - 252 for 9 in 90.3 overs(I.Liyanage 87, H.Nanaykkara 57, S.Perera 28, M.Nilam 20; L.Herath 3 for 82, R.Mauzoon 4 for 32) - (AK)

Twin half ton's by Wijesekera

Twin half centuries by Isipatana's left hander Shan Wijesekera was the highlight in their drawn inter school cricket match against Nalanda at Campbell Park yesterday. Wijesekera made 81 in the first innings and followed it up with a 51 in the second innings

Isipatana - 253 for 3 and 102 for 2( Shan Wijesekera 51)

Nalanda - (9 for no loss overnight) 220 all out - (BW)

Rowing makes headway

The importation of 20 rowing boats and 68 Oars by the Affiliated institutions by the Amateur Rowing Association of Sri Lanka (ARASL) will no doubt broad base the promotion the sport.

At present there are 12 affiliated members with the introduction the sport at the Diyatalawa Military Academy. Navy is the new member.

The ARASL will start a boat building project with the support of the FISA, the rowing body in world, helped by a German expert at a cost of Rs one and half million.

The ARASL has also decided to import five racing boats from Hong Kong in good condition next month, comprising of two pairs and two fours boats and a scull.

With the support of the Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, the ARASL will have a new headquarters of their own closer to the Beira Lake.

Ananda, Nalanda and Zahira in Maradana have shown enthusiasm to start rowing in their School, Rohan Fernando the President of ARASL said.

With the formation of the South Asian Rowing federation with, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka with the blessings of the International Olympic Council (IOC) the first SARF Regatta is to be hosted in Sri Lanka in the year 2000.

Regional Rowing Associations are to be formed with Army, Navy, S. Thomas, Royal, St Josephs, Museaus and Colombo Rowing Club purchasing boats from Hong Kong.

Navy SC dethrone Park SC

By Saif Izzadeen

Navy SC won the second singer cup inter club hockey tournament after scoring 1-0 win over Defending Champions Park SC Matale in the final at Reid Avenue yesterday.

The match had to go for a penalty shoot out after the game ended in 1-1 draw on normal time. At half time the scores were deadlocked at 0-0. Navy SC deserved to win the game as they dominated the proceedings from the word go. They missed easy scoring opportunities in both halves. Defending champions Park SC Matale were always going to have a tough time against the sailors who gave a good display. At the end Park SC were lucky to draw the game 1-1.

After a scoreless first half the games deadlocked was broken in the 19th minute in the second half through right extreme G.B.Dissanyake which gave Navy SC a 1-0 lead.

Five minutes later Park SC leveled the scores at 1-1 when they scored a goal through full back Thilak Wimalasinghe after a penalty corner. For Navy D.Wickremasinghe scored

Jayantha to coach Bloomfield

By Bernie Wijesekera

Former Sri Lanka Cricketer Jayantha Seneviratne will take over the coaching of the Bloomfield C and AC in the coming cricket season.

He takes over from Brendon Kuruppu, who is now a national selector. Seneviratne, yet another product from Nalanda, played for Blomfield, which team he captained in the 1979 -80 season with much success. A hard hitting right hand batsman and brilliant fielder with a pair of hands which could be compared to West Indies' towering batsman Clyde Walcott.

A keen student of the game, Seneviratne hails form a cricketing stock. His father, G.W.G captained Nalanda, whilst his brother Palitha, too, played for the Campbell Place school and for Bloomfield. A Level One coach and at present coaching Nalanda, he has produced some outstanding players, who have excelled at the highest level.

Mild mannered Seneviratne, played for Sri Lanka under Anura Tennakoon.

Essentially a front foot player he has shown his batting skills in abundance - that too when the chips were down.

A firm disciplinarian, he has instilled on his charges not only the skills of the game, but also to maintain a high standard of sportsmanship on and off the field. This is the first lesson he gives to the would-be cricketers be it at Nalanda or in his private coaching school.

Seneviratne says if he achieved anything from this gentleman's game, firstly it was his late father, who taught him to wield the willow.

Later it was Gerry Gooneratne, who put me on the track. Jayantha also owes a token of gratitude to Stanley Jayasinghe. He put me right, when there was a technical flaw in my batting. Some present-day forget the very people, who helped them in their hour of need, he added. But I am grateful to Mr. Jayasinghe, who paid personal attention to correct me.

He bowled at me and fielded all by himself for several days to perfect my technique.

As a coach I don't stress much on names but they have to work together for its ultimate goal and play the game in the correct spirit. Outcome is secondary. No one is indispensable. All have to fall inline, otherwise the gates are open for them to move out, he adds. If you don't lose then you don't know how to win. You are right.

Seneviratne was unanimously elected as coach of Bloomfield by its Ex-co. The Reid Avenue Club are the reigning 'Sara Trophy Champions'.

Sanath Jayasuriya is the captain, while wicket keeper batsman Pubudu Dassanayake is the vice-captain. Jayantha, in the past went on tour as an official with the national team.

Rover Pinpoints.....

Player against Coach?

Have you heard of player going against a cricket coach, when it should be the other way around.

A leading player now on the side lines, was heard at a leading club in Colombo, sounding his opposition to the new coach appointed by the club.

Overage again?

A leading rugby playing school who was once suspended for playing overage players for three years, and on an appeal reduced to one year, was seen at it again during the recently concluded under 13 tournament where Carey College emerged champions.

This school awarded walk-overs when about to be detected of playing overage players.

Rover learns that no action has been taken against this school because the officials will lose vital votes at the forthcoming AGM. True?

High official humiliated?

A high official was humiliated when his proposal, when put to vote, was defeated by 7 votes to 3 whilst picking one of the referees of his choice against another who had been proposed by the Referees Society.

Water boy

A senior cricketer was amazed when told by a junior cricketer in Sharjah, that he should bring water to them without idling. This was brought to the notice of the captain who immediately called for a meeting and told this cricketer to watch his language and behave himself.

Deadline met?

The Board of Control for cricket in India has faxed the Sri Lanka Board asking them to settle the outstanding money due to them amounting to US $ 333,750. 00.

The breakdown of these monies are; Gurantee money for the India tour to Sri Lanka June/July. US $ 175,000.00 add escalation US $ 8,750.00 and gurantee money for the India tour of Sri Lanka 1999 US $ 150,000.00.

Surprise omission

M.Imitiyaz, the striker from the Air Force football team is a surprise omission from the Sri Lanka national football pool. He is a player of repute who has on many occasions helped the side to do well.

It is good to hear that Roshan Perera had been recalled. M. Amanulla and Isuru Perera too are in the squad, training for the Asian Championships, but one cannot understand why Imitiasz has not been recalled. No doubt that standards will improve if Imtiaz is recalled. Over to you President Manilal.

From Skanda to Chandra

Appointment as Manager- Zimbabwe Tour

I thank you for your letter of even date in the abovementioned connection.

At the very outset, let me formally place on record the deep appreciation of the Interim Committee, of the excellent service that you provided, in your capacity as Manager of the National Team, during the recently concluded tour to Sri Lanka, by India, and Australia and, our brief tour to Sharjah.

The decision to appoint an alternate manager was taken after protracted deliberation and not without considerable regret. We are not unmindful of the circumstances this has placed you in, but as explained at our meeting, it was due to reasons beyond our control.

Whilst thanking you for the kind sentiments expressed in the concluding paragraph of your letter under reference, one hopes that the benefit of your valuable expertise and high standards of discipline will not be lost to the game permanently.

The members of the Interim Committee join me in conveying our best wishes and once again may I place on record, our sincere appreciation of your services through a very difficult transition period for the game, in Sri Lanka, and for your valuable contribution towards it revival.

AAA exams in Jaffna

The Amateur Athletic Association (AAA) on a request made by the Jaffna AAA has decided to hold the examination in Jaffna in both Tamil and English.

It is learnt that over 100 candidates are preparing for the examination.

In addition the examination will be held in four centres on Saturday November 27 with applications closing for this examination on Friday November 12. Major General Nihal Marambe and Major P.S.S.R. Udayadeera, senior officials of the AAA along with the Officials Committee Chaired by Rohan Amarasinghe will conduct the examination in Jaffna and four other centres.

Premier Pacific Golf Trophy

Nimal Perera, a tremendous golf enthusiast has moved his interest to skyrise structures of posh luxury apartments with his trio of brothers and through his company Premier Pacific International Ltd. He maintains his support for golf by sponsoring the North East Monsoon Meet at the Ridgeways of the Royal Colombo Golf Club. Over hundred players will vie for the handsome Premier Pacific golf trophy which will be competed for on the last day of play.

The opening day of play did not see much success. Absolutely mediocre scores were the order of the day. A Takata from the land of the rising sun carved a one under par Net 70 off a handicap of 13. Lalin Samarawickrama came close behind with nett 71 off a handicap of 10 followed by Chula Amarasinghe on the same score off a handicap of 9.

Yasunaga Strikes Gold

Y Yasunaga comparatively new to the country and course is a superb striker of the ball. Carrying tremendous experience with years of highly competitive golf with him he has played many impressive rounds at the Ridgeways. Not surprisingly he struck gold on the first day of play with a strikingly good gross 75 to take the Annual Gold Medal. On the day after he was even better with an excellent gross 74 Net 71. We are going to see much of this exciting player from Japan in the months to come.

Little Soysa shines

On the 2nd day of play Ajantha. Mylvaganam was beaten by a kid from the kindergarten of golf that comes under the wing of Radha Sunderampillai. This delightfully pleasant brat has a cheeky style. Absolutely fluent he plays a helluva tee shot & completes the rest with the style many will envy. He has a tremendous future & his beginning was 88-18- Net 70 to be the best. Myla has a few hiccups, strayed, recovered & eventually brought home a Nett 71. In third position was that man Y Yasunaga again but this time with a a bettor score of gross 74 Net 71. Great performance.

The hell raisers were there at the 19th tossing their sorrows with well chosen spirits. Ron Baikelman, Suranjan de Silva got into trouble & never recovered. Elmo de Silva cultivated a peculiar limp each time he crashed a shot. Rohan Fernando struck a blemish riddled century & Janak the "hulk" punished the neighborhood with at least 1/2 a dozen strayers. All of them plus more contributed much towards the pleasures of the game. We will see a new crop of contributors next week.

Thariki at 10 is Sri Lanka's youngest Diver

Thariki Siyaguna of Bishop's College at 10 years is the youngest Diver to represent Sri Lanka at the KCR-NASSU International invitational meet to be held in Bangalore, India on November 10 and 11th.

She will be participating in the 1 metre and 3 metre springboard events.

Incidentally she was the youngest ever female diver to come third in the Nationals, and won the Public Schools Age Group event.

Thariki who is being coached by M. Faiasz is also an excellent swimmer in the under 12 age group.

School of Blind win

Helped by a classy unbeaten 56 by opener Wasantha Jayawardena enabled the School of Blind Ratmalana to beat the Galle Branch by 10 wickets in their Visually Handicapped inaugural all island limited overs final round match played at Ratmalana. Batting first Galle were all out for 62 runs with Shantha Kumara and Wasantha Jayawardena capturing 3 for 6 and 2 for 2 respectively. The School of Blind reached their target in just five overs.

The School of Blind Tangalle will meet the Galle Branch at the Samanala playground at Galle today.

This tournament is sponsored by Ceylon Hardware Merchants Association.

Return to Sports Contents