Retiring from rugby

In 1969 Police rugby continued to prosper and was rated one of the leading rugby outfits in the country alongside the leading clubs CR&FC, Havelocks and CH&FC.

That year the Police had some new faces in their side under my captancy such as flanker Daya Jayasundera from Dharmarajah, College, Kandy who joined the Police as a Sub Inspector and who later went on to captain the Police and represent the country. He is today a Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of Badulla Range. Nimal Abeysinghe, a soccer player turned ruggerite who played as fly half and a good place kicker. Today he is an S. P. and the Director of Police Sports. K. Murugesu a hardy prop forward and Van Sanden, an intelligent centre three quarter.

That season the Army-Police clash evoked a lot of interest. The Police in their first outing against the Army at Galle Face beat the Army and the Army found it hard to swallow especially in their own grounds. Thereafter the Army went on the rampage to defeat the CR & FC "Red Shirts" led by Mohan Sahayam at Longden Place.

Then they lost a crucial game to Havelocks, before taking in the Police in the return clash at Police Park on 29.5.69. The Army was captained by fly half A. N. P. Fernando and had some great players in C.S. Fernando a double international in soccer and rugby. Winger, M. P. Amaradasa, centres, M. Nizam Jaimon, Basheer Musafer, winger G.B. Gunadasa, scrum half, S. P. De Silva, Props R. P. Liyanage and G. Edwin, hooker A. Rodrigo, 2nd row K. Jayaweera and M. S. Fernando, flankers W. Chandrasekera and T. A. Jayah No 8. N. S. Silva. For the Army their regulars wingforward Ratnayake, wingers Neville Sheddon and Kularatne, prop forward Ruperatne and hooker Anderson missed this game due to injuries.

The Police team for this match was full back Nizam Hajireen, wingers Bandula Wijesinghe and T. S. Pieris, centres Daya Jayasundera and Samaraweera, fly half Van Sanden, and props E.K.R. Wijewardena and K. Murugesu, hooker S. Sivendran (Captain) 2nd row K. Banda and Anton Sheddon (brother of Neville Sheddon), flankers R. P. Linton, G. Thirumani, No. 8 Anton Benedict. Majeed and Hamid missed this match as they were indisposed.

This match was played under wet conditions and Army won the match 9-3 for their coach Berty Dias to say that "Army played football to win" T. M. K. Samat reporting on this match in the "Observer" said "Police tried in vain to strike perfection in imperfect conditions. Hooker Sivendran out of the game till the previous day did his work with all the relish and enthusiasm of a beginner. He brought for Police a load of possession off the set scrums which Police's lineout men Sheddon, Banda, and Benedict, made it a trifle more than even in their fight for the ball. But the advantage of possession they held on this day backfired on them. The ball seldom got beyond the base of the scrum with their scrum half Samath engaged in a task that was as heartening as scooping a fish from a bowl. 

The slippery ball at his feet always eluded him. The times it did go down the line, somewhere in the middle it rolled loose and then down came those rampaging Army forwards to boot it through, throwing confusion on the Police defences. Clearly Army showed no desire to hold the ball in their own half. They used their feet to get into an attacking position and then waited for their breaks to come."

The Army scored first through centre Basheer Musafer who ran in the blind side and scored by the corner flag with Police No. 8 Benedict hot on his heels with a desperate tackle. Police equalled with a Nizam Hajireen penalty. The Army went into the lead with a penalty by S. P. de Silva and the match was made sure with a try by flanker T. A. Jayah and the Army won 9 (2 tries and penalty) to 3 (1 penalty). Ashey Cader refereed this game.

That year the Clifford Cup final was between CR&FC led by Mohan Sahayam and Kandy S. C. led by Denzil Kobbekaduwa, and CR&FC won the Clifford Cup.

The CR&FC team for the Cup final was Hadji Omar, "Bumby "Jayasekera, Dushantha Samarasekera, Junie Cader, Kamal Ratnapala, Indrajit Coomaraswamy, Ajit Abeyratne, Tony de Sylva, Mohan Sahayam (Captain), Tony Sirimanne, Ronnie Schokman, Hasitha Kannangara, Reggie Bartholomeuz, Hamzi Hamid, and Iqbal Jumar.

The Kandy team was Y. C. Chang, Mohan Balasuriya, Gavin Stevens, Rohan Abeysundera, Dr. D. Makuloluwa, Jaadi Dissanayake, Deepal de Soysa, Gamini Udugama, Denzil Kobbekaduwa (Captain), Jayantissa Ratwatte, Lakshman Samarawijaya, George Jayasena, Chang Faa, Fredrick Prins, and Shaffie Jainudeen.

CR&FC was on the offensive from the start and scored a pushover by prop forward Hadji Omar to lead 3-nil at half time. During the second half Kandy full back Shaffie Jainudeen put over a penalty to equalize 3-3. Iqbal Jumar and Reggie Bartholomusz took CR to a 9 - 3 lead with two penalties. Kandy forwards fought back and the burly Peterite forward Rohan Abeysundera scored an unconverted try to narrow the CR lead to 9-6. Then came the finale when the Peterite winger Hamzi Hamid dazzled down the touchline to score a brilliant try to take CR&FC to a 12-6 victory and to win the Clifford Cup. Dr. K. B. Sangakkara, a great name in Kandy rugby, presented the trophy to CR&FC skipper Mohan Sahayam. Darley Ingleton refereed this game.

The new rugby rule that a player is forbidden to kick to touch outside his own 22 metres came into being during the 1969 rugby season.

At the end of this season I decided to quit the game and hang up my boots and the "Daily Mirror" reporting on my retirement reported, "Siva calls it a day," Police skipper Sivendran has decided to kiss the game he loved so much, good-bye. 

With 'Siva', as he was known in rugby circles putting his boots in the shelf, a chapter of rugby in the Police Force will be closed. Siva, we hear, has been well and truly hooked and will be walking down the aisle in the not too distant future."

Lafir's record

It was 26 years ago that Sri Lanka produced its world champion, M. J. M. Lafir, the Amateur Snooker championships held in Bombay where he had the signal honour of winning all his matches. 

Satish Mohan and Michael Ferreira both Indians, lost two matches each. 

On his way to win the world crown he also highlighted (Ceylon) in the world map. Lafir beat Clive Everton (Wales) 1110 to 1094, Michael Ferreira (India) 1652 to 1267, L.U.de Marco (Scotland) 2850 to 624, Alfred Nolan (England), Satish Mohan (India) 2213 to 1079, Eric Simmons (New Zealand) 2189 to 796 (including a break of 859 points), Brain Kirkness (New Zeland ) 2032 to 1002, Phil Tarrant (Australia) 1775 to 1281, Paul Mifsud (Malta) 1917 to 1427.

The breaks of Lafir were.

Clive Everton (Wales) 173 & 131, Michael Ferreira (India) 102,131,203 & 126, L.U.de Marco (Scotland) 318,173, 404, 428,192 302 & 119, Alfred Nolan (Scotland) 180, 123 & 113 , Satish Mohan (India) 159, 128, 139, 165, 103, 114, 109, 394 & 350, Eric Simmons (New Zealand) 131, 110 & 859. (New all-time record break in 49 minutes 47 seconds beating Michael Ferreira's 629 at Malta in 1971), Brian Kirkness (New Zealand) 245, 126 & 115 , Phil Tarrant (Australia) 190, 131, 194, 106 & 213, Paul Mifsud (Malta) 371, 205, 584 & 189. Lafir's total score for the tournanent was 16,956 from 407 visits. Lafir made one 800, one 500, five double century breaks and 29 century breaks in the championships. Lafir had his beginnings at the MICH.

Miller makes his first Test 100 at Lord's

Continued from last week

Hassett who had a load of luck on his side in the first innings, was the first to go when Australia began her second innings. But Morris 35 and Miller 58 took the total to 96 for 1 when stumps were drawn for the day.

When play started on Monday, the first hour was going to be make or break for both sides. And this is where the England team went to pieces. They resembled a rudderless vessel in an unchartered sea as Morris and Miller thrashed the daylights out of their bowlers. Miller made 109 before he was bowled by Wardle and then just as Morris was only 11 runs away from making his second consecutive Test hundred at Lords, he hit Compton hard and high over mid-on. But Statham running back from mid-on and gazing into the sun, never looked like dropping it as it came over his left shoulder. It was one of the finest catches taken in the outfield in a Lords Test. But Australia had not yet done with the England attack. Because now came Ray Lindwall who raced to his 50 in only forty minutes, with 6 fours and two straight driven sixes off Bedser and Wardle before Bedser bowled him, and Australia had a lead of 342 runs. 

By stumps that evening England was on the brink of disaster. Lindwall had removed Hutton and Kenyon and Johnston had dismissed Graveney. So England chasing that distant 343 were 20 for 3 at stumps.

England 20 for 3 and no one gave them a "cat in hell's chance" of saving the game. With his 50 the previous evening, Lindwall had set the goal of victory far beyond England. Then he had taken his pads off and sent Hutton packing for 5 and Kenyon for 2. So getting rid of the remaining 7 wickets before lunch on the last day was going to be a "cake walk." And that is what Hassett and Co. thought. That evening they celebrated their win. First they went to the Coliseum to see the reigning musical comedy "Guys and Dolls." Then they attended a back-stage party and from there to the Cafe' de Paris. It was a night of great celebration. So when Australia sauntered on to the field on Tuesday moring, they were physically and mentally exhausted and indeed a little piqued at having to have a day of relaxation interrupted for an hour or two while they disposed of the remaining batsmen. But there was consolation that it would be all over by lunch, and then to Wimbledon. But by lunch only Compton had been removed and Bailey had joined Watson. This was frustrating to the Aussies to say the least. But it would be all over before tea. So back into the field they went but with a little bit of suspicion that there might still be a little bit of fight left in these Englishmen. Watson was from Yorkshire and Bailey was always a fighter. But if Lindwall, Miller, Johnston and Davidson could not remove them, then they had Ring and Benaud on this crumbling track. But at tea time, Watson and Bailey were still there. That period between tea and stumps on that last day of that Test, was one of the most exhausting and gripping days in the annals of Test cricket. All that Australia had to do was to remove one of these two and they could coast home.

But there seemed no chance of the stand being broken. Five thirty came and they were still there. And then at 5.45 Watson was brilliantly caught by Hole off Doug Ring for 109. And as Watson came off to a standing ovation, someone in the Press Box suggested that he should have been driven straight to Buckingham Palace for a knighthood. The time now 5.48 and the next man in was Brown. But at 5.55 an agonising cry went up as Bailey was caught by Benaud off Ring for 71. Half an hour to go and six wickets down. If Australia could snatch just one more wicket, there was every chance that they could snatch this test like a brand out of the fire. It was Brown and Evans who were now hanging on for dear life. After the tea break, the crowds had started streaming in.

Six fifteen ticked off and now it seemed that England had saved this game. The crowd was now on the edge of their seats, teeth clenched and hands whitening from fingers clenched in suspense. Six twenty and then Brown who had played a great knock of 28 was caught by Hole off Benaud. Three wickets still left and now only seven minutes to go. Australia's goose was well and truly cooked; and it certainly was. Wardle and Evans safely played out the remaining seven minutes and bringing to a draw, a Test the story of which has provided one of the most thrilling chapters in Test history.

- Bruce Maurice

Golf with added spice

My friend N. Jayasingam now divorced physically from golf continues his interest reading all about the game from the international periodicals he subscribed to annually. His latest collection comes from the Economist and I happily share the delightfully pleasant article with you. 

Birdies in the bush

Golfers who want more than a stroll with Clubs and Balls should take a look at some of Southern Africa's courses. Most golfers merely seek manicured fairways, velvet greens and a cool gin and tonic afterwards in a softly-furnished clubhouse. 

Southern Africa caters adequately for these timid types but where the region excels is in providing more intrepid golfers with unusual challenges. Where else can you encounter lions in the deep rough or hippos on the fringes of the fairways. 

Elephants join

If you are unlucky golf in Southern Africa can mean being trampled by an elephant, scragged by umbrella thorns or surprised by naked muggers with leaves in their hair as it happened to two lady golfers recently in Zimbabwe. But golf is sometimes a game that needs a bit of added spice. 

For golfers of spirit your correspondent recommends three memorable African courses. The first Katima Mulilo Golf Club is in the Caprivi region of Namibia and is well a bit remote: 12 hours drive across arid scrubland from Windhock, the Namibian capital to be precise - and that's if there are no road blocks. But the weather is perfect the bulbuls twitter and it is easy to get a tee time because most tourists were scared off by the recent uprising by Caprivian separatists. 

Hippos move in 

Since August the town is no longer under curfew, so golfers who play on after dusk are unlikely to be shot. But hippopotami from the nearby Zambezi river sometimes wander on to the course at night to nibble the bushes. Since these beasts are notoriously ill-tempered it is advisable to play during daylight hours. 

Rough Greens

There is only one flag at Katima Mulilo, so one player must carry it around and place it in each hole in turns. The flag carrier has an advantage for there are at least two holes in each green and he can pick the one closest to where his ball has landed. Putting is tricky however for the greens are bristly and uneven a bit like a hairbrush that has been chewed by a dog. 

For a chillier challenge, drive up into the mountains of Lesotho where an icy wind blows balls into bunkers and the locals wear blankets all year round. The Royal Maseru Golf Club is in the middle of the capital about a drive and a one iron from the place of King Letsie III. But it is not easy to find. 

Shack clubhouse 

Visitors often drive around the course once or twice looking for the clubhouse before stopping at a shack to ask for directions only to be told that the shack is actually the clubhouse. The green on the first hole is perfectly flat and stunningly green. But a well-lofted approach shot lands with a splash and disappears for it is in fact a pond covered in algae. The real green is the brown circle of dirt to the left. 

There are no flags at all at Royal Naseru - they were all stolen to make curtain rails in nearby squatter camps. So it is quite difficult to know where to aim. But your three caddies (unemployment is a big problem in Lesotho) all brim with helpful tips on how to play each hole. 

The best of your correspondent's trio of African courses however is the Soweto Country Club on the edge of the black township of that name outside Johannesburg. The course was built in 1972 by the local council in order to substantiate the big apartheid lie that blacks did not need to be admitted to white clubs (or schools or hospitals for that matter) because they had their own. 

Since whites were not allowed to play in Soweto it became the height of radical chic to do so. "If there was trouble we'd smuggle them out along back roads," says Michael Nompula, the club's burgundy-jacketed 60-year-old President. 

Nowadays most whites do not go into Soweto because they are terrified of getting carjacked. But the club's 450-strong membership is still 20% white. Some join because it is cheap, others want to learn how to socialize with blacks, an essential skill in the new South Africa. 

Tight courses

Owing to a lack of space the fairways at Soweto are frighteningly narrow. Thousands of trees punish wayward tee shots and young black professionals who learn their game at Soweto hit wonderfully straight. 

Tiger the hero 

Golf is still seen as a white game in South Africa. Soweto is the only club in a black township and blacks have yet to win more than a handful of professional tournaments. Aspiring black South African golfers have no local hero to follow. Their role model is a foreigner - Tiger Woods, the young black American who is the world's most highly-paid striker of a ball. Mr. Woods is unlikely as his father once claimed to do more for mankind than Jesus did but he sure spreads hope around Soweto.

St. James' roars again

The stillness and serenity of a village named Morethota was shattered by the thundering sounds of race engines revving, where cars, bikes and Formula machines weaved through six hair - pin corners in the quest for honours at the St. James Hill Climb last Sunday.

Revived after 45 years by the Motor Racing Association of Sri Lanka the race - meet was a tremendous success with most competitors acclaiming it to be the most challenging Hill Climb in Sri Lanka.

A large gathering of spectators were treated to some thrilling fare in the Modified over 1665 class and the Formula events. Strangely enough, though, the best timing of the day was achieved by Nishan Weerasuriya in the Group T Class. Nishan, a brilliant Hill Climber added to his numerous laurels and eclipsed the pace set by the Modified Formulas.

Shanaka Ambrose was another star of the meet when he bettered Udesh Wedasinghe's best with his second run in the Motor Bikes Unlimited Class.

Shanaka drove a modified Nissan Pulsar at fiery pace to get the better of Dinesh Deheragoda's modified Mitsubishi Evolution. Dan Dissanayake was third in his Supercharged BMW.

In the Group M & S over 1350 cc to 1665 cc Rizvi Farouk drove brilliantly to win the event very comfortably.

Nalin Perera had a fine day winning an event and coming second in the other. Romani in his faithful Suzuki Swift pipped a superb drivers by Nalin Perera and Sheran Fernando to win within a second.

Rohan de Silva underlined his supremacy in the Formula events by winning the Standard and Modified events comfortably. Nadeera Jinasena did a super drive to be second in the Standard Formulas. Nadeera is a young man to watch in the future.

An unfortunate incident of a protest being made by a fellow competitor against two others in the Group A Motor Cars over 12kg upto 14kg saw one of the accused making a speedy get-a-way in his race car when MRA officials tried to impound his vehicle. The other protest was dealt with amicably and the competitor was exonerated of all charges subsequently.

Hill Climbing in Sri Lanka without doubt reached new frontiers. with the MRA organising an exemplary meet and setting new standards for competition as well as for sportsmanship.

Group N Motor Cycles - Novices upto 125 cc

- Wasantha Rajakaruna - (Yamaha) - 1.41.025 - Rohan Liyanage - (Yamaha) - 1.44.269

Group P Motor Cycles upto 125 cc

- S.E.P. Nathavitharana - Kawasaki - 1.30.738

Group P Motor Cycles over 125 cc

- Shafraz Junaid - Honda - 1.26.815 - Kumar Rajapriya - Yamaha - 1.29.125

Group R Motor Cycles upto 125 cc

- Jeffry Buultjens (Honda) - 1.21.765 - M.M.A. Ziafuddin (Honda) - 1.28.340 - Sajith Samaranayake (Yamaha) - 1.30.574

Group R Motor Cycles Unlimited 

- Shanka Ambrose - Caltex Special - 1.16.857 - Udesh Wedisinghe (Honda) - 1.18.035

Group A Motor Cars Over 14kg/BHP

- Managala Jayasiriwardena (Daihatsu) - 1.30.317 - Praneeth Kavikara (Ford) - 1.32.895 - Samudu Wijethilaka (Austin) - 1.34.148

Group A Motor Cars Over 10kg/BHP - Upto 12kg/BHP

- Mahen Hurulle (Daewoo) - 1.27.503 - Gamini Kavikara (Honda) - 1.28.097 - Ruwan Wickramasinghe (Nissan) - 1.29.707

Group A Motor Cars Over 8kg/BHP -Upto 10kg/BHP

- Nalin D.Perera (Renault) - 1.2.750 - Udesh Wedisinge (Toyota) - 1.23.011 - Mario Dias (Toyota) - 1.25.309

Group A Motor Cars Over 6kg/BHP - Upto 8kg/BHP

- Romani De Silva (Suzuki) - 1.23.119 - Nalin D. Perera (Toyota) - 1.23.395 - Sheran Fernando (Honda) - 1.23.937

Group T Motor Cars Over 6kg/BHP

- Sumudu Wijethilaka (Toyota) - 1.27.981

Group T Motor Cars Under 6kg/BHP 

- Nishan Weerasooria (Mitsubishi) - 1.12.296 - Dinesh Deheragoda (Subaru) - 1.30.931

Group M & S Motor Cars Upto 1040 cc

- Hafiz Cader (Austin) - 1.26.883 - Nihal Weerasinghe (Daihatsu) - 1.27.336 - Janaka Pathirana (Daihatsu) - 1.29.557

Group M & S Motor Cars Over 1040 cc - Upto 1350 cc

- Dushan Dinamithra (Cultus) - 1.29.928 - Sujith Dunuwille (Mini) - 1.28.498

Group M & S Motor Cars Over 1350 cc - Upto 1665 cc

- Rizvi Farouk (Honda) - 1.17.296 - Zakie Ismail - (Honda) - 1.26.484 - Davaka Amarasuriya (Proton) - 1.28.278 

Group M & S Motor Cars Over 1665 cc

- Shanaka Ambrose (Caltex Special) - 1.15.577 - Dinesh Deheragoda (Caltex) - 1.16.532 - Dan Dissanayake (BMW) - 1.22.428 

Group F Motor Cars - Formula Ford Standard - Rohan De Silva (Formula Ford) - 1.17.067 - Nadeera Jinasena (Formula Ford) - 1.19.299 - Romani de Silva (Formula Ford) - 1.20.590 

Group F Motor Cars - Formula Ford Modified 

- Rohan De Silva - Formula Ford - 1.12.728

HNB to boost BRC cricket 

By Bernie Wijesekera 

The Burgher Recreation Club, who were placed very low last season in the premier tournament has decided to uplift the game to its past glory, said its Secretary Satya Jayasuriya, when interviewed by The Sunday Times. 

Jayasuriya himself an outstanding cricketer of yester-year stated that BRC hierarchy, headed by its President Jayantha Paranathala are determined to revive the game and be in the forefront with an unstinted team effort, before the start of the millennium. 

BRC, is fortunate to have in their fold the former treasurer of the BCCSL, Kumar Weerasuriya as its chairman of the cricket development committee. Weerasuriya, a man of few words has formed the strategy to achieve its objective. 

Already it has borne fruit. Quite a number of die-hard supporters of the club have rallied around. Plans are afoot for Hatton National Bank, who will give all enouragement and support with men and material, to make it a reality. About eight outstanding cricketers from HNB have been drafted to the team. 

The team is led by Chaminda Handunettige, who earlier played for the CCC. He is an experienced player, who has done well in competitive cricket 

Q : The migration season has started with several players changing clubs. Has BRC, too benefited with some talented cricketers joining the fold? 

A: You are right Sajeewa Silva, (NCC), who is on tour with the Sri Lanka 'A' team, Batsman, Manoj Mendis and Sanjeewa Silva (Sebastianites) Nilantha Bopege, (Bloomfield) Chinthaka Jayasinghe and S. Madanayake - a left-arm spinner (NCC) are all in. 

But Jayasinghe, earlier played for BRC. Young all-rounder Milinda Warnapura (Galle CC) in another. He is a youngster with immense promise. Bloomfield's Indika Batuwitaaratchie Tamil Union's left-arm spinner, Sajeewa Weerakoon are also there. Some of them are turning out for the HNB in MCA "A' div. cricket. Fast bowler Wendell Labrooy will spearhead the attack with Sajeewa Silva. 

Q : Isn't HNB-BRC a combined team. Don't you think it adds more flavour to the team with a tinge of professionalism? The players have a better future to fall back with banking as a career no doubt?

A : I think you are right. Today there is no amateurism in any sport. Everything boils down to fringe benefits. This will help them to work hard and further improve their skills to gain recognition. 

Must adhere

But still players must bear this in mind that cricket is still a gentlemen's game. They must adhere to the ethics of the game and play in the correct spirit. Results are fogotten. In the end it's how you play the game. You are right. 

This season BRC has no problems with wicket- keeping. SSC's dashing wicket-keeper batsman, Nisal Fernando, will don the gloves. He's a fine team man and works at Grindlays Bank. He should come into reckoning with his consistent performances. 

Deepal Madurapperuma - a player cum 'A' team coach is with us. He is still good to play - a keen student of the game. The club is fortunate to have the services of Bandula Warnapura, as consultant. He has agreed to help the club - a move made by Kumar Weerasuriya.

Q : In other countries banks and firms take part in major tournaments, and isn't it correct that several in their staff find their way to the national team? 

A :You are right.

Q:The package that BRC is planning with HNB, is no doubt going to help the players, the clubs and the game for further uplift of the game? 

A : I think there is some sense in what you say. BRC's motive is not just going all out to win trophies, but to be more competitive and develop the game. Just winning against mediocre teams is not the panacea for its ills. The batsmen must earn their runs with their batting skills, whilst the bowlers get their scalps with their craft and variation, but not on under-prepared pitches. 

A three-day match has to be played on goodish pictches, where Sri Lanka could produce bowlers of class. There should be even bounce, lift and movement. The Cricket Board hierarchy, must see to it like in other countries that clubs are called upon to prepare pitches that will last the entire duration of the season. Otherwise the club or county concerned could be fined after the head cuarator's report. 

In some quarters fanatics tagged Sri Lanka as World Champions when they defeated Australia for the first time at Asgiriya, but this match didn't last three days. It's heartening to win and improve our image at international level. But it's not going to help the game in the longer run, or for that matter draw spectator interest. 

Just to gain points to be in the final round, it isn't cricket. BRC beat Sebastianites handsomely in the opener over the last weekend. That was good 

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