Galahitiyawa Central will take on Tholangamuwa Central in their annual 50 overs encounter at Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium on March 1.
This will be their 8th meeting and Galahitiyawa have won five matches against two by Tholangamuwa in the previous seven encounters.
This year Galahitiyawa is led by Isuru Tharaka and Tholangamuwa by Sithum Sanjaya Wickramarachchi.
St. Joseph’s College Maradana will not flinch and go as underdogs against their traditional rivals St Peter’s College for the Rev.Fr Maurice LeGoc trophy when they confront each other in the 85th Battle of the Saints cricket encounter that will take place on March 1 and 2 at the P.Sara Oval.
This battle of the Saints encounter started way back in 1933 with St. Joseph’s College winning the inaugural clash under Robert Fernando in the first encounter.
The Joes’ last win in the series in 2008 under the leadership of Ruwantha Fernandopulle.
Of the 84 matches that have been played between the two schools thus far Josephians lead the series with 12 wins.
Josephians under the leadership of off spinner and Sri Lanka under19 player Ashain Daniel have won four matches outright this season against St. Patrick’s College, Jaffna, Gurukula Vidyalaya Kelaniya, St.Sylvesters College Kandy and Devapathiraja College Rathgama. While losing to St.Anthony’s College Kandy and Maristela College Negombo.
Their batting has not been consistent as only one batsman Dineth jayakody has been in outstanding form scoring over 700 runs and being their top scorer for the season with two hundreds and three fifties. He will have a big burden of steering the batting for the Josephians along with the trio of Johanne de Zilva with five fifties, Sheran fonseka with three fifties and Shevon Daniel (younger brother of last years skipper Jehan Daniel) scoring a solitary century and three fifties who have all scored over 500 runs to their credit. Much will be expected from them as well.They are expected to bolster the Joes middle order batting. To curtail the Peters strong batting line up the bowling will be in the hands of left arm spinner Salinda Seneviratne with over 75 wickets and who together with another left arm spinner Miranga Wickramage has taken over 100 wickets between them. They will be supported by captain cum right arm off spinner Ashain Daniel with over 20 wickets to his crdit.
St.Joseph’s has produced many national cricketers who have gone on to represent the country with distinction - D.S.Jayasundara one of the fastest schools bowlers in the 1930’s, Fairlie Dalpathado, Gerry Gooneratne, Malcolm Francke (who later played Sheffield shield cricket for Quensland), Brian Obeysekara, Ashley de Silva, Chaminda Vaas, Michael Vandort, former Sri Lanka skipper Angelo Mathews, present Sri Lanka test captain Dimuth Karunaratne, Thisara Perera, Sadeera Samarawickrema and Roshane Silva to name a few.
St. Joseph’s College squad: Ashan De Alwis, Miranga Wickramage, Dinal Anuradha, Shevon Daniel, Vesith Rupasinghe, Ashain Daniel (Captain), Dilesh Perera, Johanne De Zilva, Rishitha Perera, Lakshan Gamage, Shevaan Rasool, Dineth Jayakody, Dunith Wellalage, Sachintha Ravindu, Shalinda Seneviratne
S. Thomas’ College Mt. Lavinia warmed up for their traditional Big Match against Royal College by recording their sixth win of the season when they beat St Benedict’s College by ten wickets at Mt Lavinia yesterday in a Singer Trophy Under 19 inter-schools cricket match.
Match winners for the Thomians were left-arm leg-spinner Delon Peiris with a match bag of nine wickets and fresher Ravindu de Silva who scored a compact 114.
Meanwhile Royal College were held to a low scoring drawn game by Trinity College at Reid Avenue.
Samith Wijenayaka of Henegama Central took a match bag of 14 wickets in their ten wicket win over Tissa Central Kalutara while Venuk Hettiarachchi performed a similar feat for Ananda Sastralaya Kotte’s six wickets win over De La Salle Colombo.
RESULTS:
At Mt. Lavinia: S. Thomas’ ML won by 10 wickets.
St. Benedict’s:182 and 108 in 39.2 overs (Thenuka Nandalal 50, Dilmin Rathnayake 5/21, Delon Peiris 3/52, Kishan Munasinghe 2/6)
S. Thomas’: 271/9 decl. (154/3 o/n) in 55.1 overs (Ravindu de Silva 114, Kishan Munasinghe 36, Yohan Perera 36, Kalana Perera 36, Imesh Fernando 2/36, Maheesh Theekshana 2/62) and 24/0 in 3.1 overs (Shalin De Mel 13, Sithara Hapuhinna 11 n.o.)
At Welagedara Stadium Kurunegala: Match drawn.
Devapathiraja Ratgama: 455 (441/8 o/n) in 98.2 overs (Jeewaka Shasheen 237, Pethum Madusanka 95, Dinitha Prabhanka 33, Gihan Abeywardena 4/70, Akalanka Pethiyagoda 3/88) and 242/7 in 51 overs (Pethum Madusanka 103 n.o., Suderera Weerarathne 53, Jeewaka Shasheen 45, Maleesha Senanayake 3/76)
St. Mary’s Kegalle: 124 (35.5) Akalanka Pethiyagoda 29, Gihan Abeywardena 24, Pasan Walisinghe 23, Shehan Hasanaga 3/9, Sudeera Werarathne 3/27, Thisara Dilshan 2/21, Irushka Thimira 2/24)
At Reid Avenue: Match drawn.
Royal: 245 and 174/5 in 36.3 overs (Pasindu Sooriyabandara 52 n.o., Kavindu Madarasinghe 50, Sithira Weerasinghe 41, Abishek Anandakumar 3/65, Kavishka Senadeera 2/46)
Trinity: 255 (69/2 o/n) in 67.2 overs (Chanaka Kumarasinghe 51, Avishka Senadeera 39, Umaiz Raizan 36, Abishek Anandakumar 38, Pubudu Bandara 25, Gishan Balasooriya 5/90, Lahiru Madushanka 2/71)
At Galle: Match drawn.
St. Aloysius Galle: 197 and 55 in 39.3 overs (Pasan Pethangoda 4/26, Kushan Madusha 3/18, Navod Paranavithana 2/4)
Mahinda: 202/8 decl. in 56.2 overs (Navod Paranavithana 58, Vinura Dulsara 37, Kawshitha Kodithuwakku 25, Kaveesha Malliyawadu 23, Manushka Samith 3/59) and 21/1 in 2 overs
At Matara: Richmond Galle won by 3 wickets.
St. Servatius Matara:124 and 91 (56/5 o/n) in 29.3 overs (Keshara Nuwantha 23, Dilum Sudeera 6/30, Sandun Mendis 3/20)
Richmond: 104 and 112/7 in 41.5 overs (Thaveesha Abishek 31, Dilum Sudeera 26, Keshara Nuwantha 2/26)
At Horana: Siri Piyaratana MMV Padukka won by 24 runs.
Siri Piyaratana Padukka: 187 and 66 in 28.1 overs (Githmin Kolambage 22, Asitha Lakshan 6/24, Ravindu Malshan 4/18)
Dudley Senanayake Central Tholangamuwa: 139 (100/6 o/n) in 48.1 overs (Mihindu Madushan 59, Anjana Chamod 24, Madushan Peiris 5/47, Kavinda Ishwara 3/50, Yasiru Dineth 2/7) and 90 in 23 overs (Krishan Dharmakeerthi 54, Kavinda Ishwara 7/32, Madushan Peiris 2/48)
At MB Ground Godigamuwa: Match drawn.
Loyola Negombo: 148 and 334 in 92.5 overs (Suneth Piyumantha 85, Jesan Piyumal 47, Stephan Surindu 38, Hansaja Hiruna 34, Dinidu Madushan 33 n.o., Samindu Shahen 27, Lakshitha Dilshan 25, Janitha Lakshitha 6/104, Dinuga Wanigasekara 2/54)
Carey: 187 (176/8 o/n) in 69 overs (Mohommed Mushtaq 32, Theeksha Abeyrathne 32, Iranga Heshan 31, Abdul Rahaman 21, Lithika Damsith 20 n.o., Dinidu Madushan 4/24, Ashen Lalindra 3/53) and 37/1 in 10 overs
At Kotte: Ananda Sastralaya Kotte won by 6 wickets.
De La Salle Colombo:100 and 170 (8/0 o/n) in 58 overs (Gimhan Wijesuriya 57 n.o., Santhush Zoysa 32, Nishika Perera 25, Venuk Hettiarchchi 6/66, S. A. Azeem 2/20)
Ananda Sastralaya Kotte: 163 and 111/4 in 25.3 overs (Hirusha Piyumal 26 n.o., Dulanja Pahasara 23, Gimhan Wijesooriya 2/30)
lAt Badulla: Match drawn.
S. Thomas’ Bandarawela: 243 and 242/8 in 60 overs (Thevin Amarasinghe 132, Savith Basnayake 46, Tharindu Dhananjaya 4/103, Nipun Pramodya 3/49)
President’s Maharagama: 170 (49/2 o/n) in 41.2 overs (Hasitha Shanuka 45, Chathuranga Dewinda 26, Thevin Amarasinghe 6/73, Savith Basnayake 2/33)
At Kalutara: Henegama Central won by 10 wickets.
Tissa Central Kalutara: 115 and 123 in 32.1 overs (Ashen Nawanjana 58, Nikil Sahasmika 26, Samith Wijenayaka 8/66, Pramith Darshana 2/25)
Henegama Central: 195 (179/7 o/n) in 58.2 overs (Samith Wijenayake 46, Isuru Dhananjaya 38, Pramith Darshana 23, Tharindu Sandaruwan 22, Kosala Ravindu 5/66, Rasanjana Aravindu 3/25) and 44/0 in 4.2 overs (Pramith Darshana 30 n.o.)
At Bentota: Match drawn.
Gamini NS Bentota: 74 in 24.1 overs (Pasindu Nirosha 25, Inula Anishka 3/14, Ulindu Prabashwara 3/17, Dilsara Ranathunga 2/9, Pasindu Bhashana 2/11) and 22/1 in 9 overs
Ananda Sastralaya Matugama: 214 in 64.3 overs (Ravindu Chanaka 43, Ulindu Prabashwara 37, Yasiru Dilhara 35, Dilsara Ranathunge 28 n.o., Shan Vithanage 22, Chamila Kithmal 5/63, Omila Nilupul 2/38, Kavishka Bhawantha 2/36)
DAY ONE SCORES
Matches will be continued today on day two.
At BRC: St. Joseph Vaz Wennappuwa: 121 in 33.1 overs (Nipun Dhananjaya 22, Onel Ilangasekara 20, Ravindu Rasanka 3/8, Madushanka Sirinanda 2/23, Ravishka Wijesiri 2/46)
Lumbini: 152/9 at close in 63.2 overs (Prabashwara Gamlath 49, Tharusha Nimhara 34, Nipun Dhananjaya 5/34) - (YK)
JOHANNESBURG Tuesday: Cricket South Africa expressed disappointment on Tuesday at fast bowler Duanne Olivier’s decision to sign a three-year contract with English county Yorkshire which will rule him out of international cricket.
Olivier, 26, was one of the stars of the South African summer, taking 31 wickets in five Test matches against Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
He was man of the series against Pakistan after taking 24 wickets at an average of 14.70.
Cricket South Africa chief executive Thabang Moroe said Olivier had rejected a two-year contract with CSA.
“We find it extremely disappointing that Duanne has taken this step after all the opportunities we have given him, particularly over the past season and going forward, to live his dream of being an international cricketer,” said Moroe.
Maligawatte Veterans won the Sri Lanka Masters’ Soccer Association Challenge Cup for the first time when they beat much fancied defending champions Old Bens Veterans by 2 goals to nil in the final played at the City Football Complex grounds on Sunday.
Both teams being equally balanced started off well and they had numerous chances of scoring but either they were off target or both the custodians were good enough to save the attempts by their opponents. And it was a blank sheet at the short whistle. After the turn around it was Maligawatte Veterans who created more chances and tempted the Old Bens Veterans’ goal keeper. On the other hand Old Bens Veterans made some counter attacks without luck.
Midway of the second half Maligawatte Veterans went ahead with a brilliant goal by Mohammed F. Silmy who headed a fine cross by A. Priyankara from the right flank. Soon after Old Bens Veterans came close to equalizing but the Maligawatte Veterans’ goal keeper M. Azhar brought off a fine save and deprived them the opportunity. With 10 minutes left Maligawatte Veterans scored their second goal in a similar way of the first with the combination of Priyankara and Silmy yet again which sealed their victory.
Preceding the final an exhibition match for over 60 was played between Colombo and Outstation teams and the match was won by Colombo. Several former players were seen in action in the over 60s match.
The champions Maligawatte Veterans were presented with the SLMSA Challenge trophy as well as the Neville Abeygunawardene memorial trophy plus gold medals and a cash prize of rupees 100,000/-.
The runner up Old Bens Veterans were presented with the K.K. Chandradasa memorial trophy, silver medals and a cash prize of rupees 50,000/-.
M. Dushantha and M. Azhar both from Maligawatte Veterans won the most valuable player award and the most valuable goal keeper award respectively and received a cash prize of rupees 10,000/- each.
McLarens Containers (Pvt.) Limited sponsored the finals and Harsha de Silva, the Managing Director of MCPL gave away the main awards,
Thilak Peiris the founder president of SLMSA and the live wire of this tournament praised and thanked all the 42 veteran teams from all over the island that took part.
Muditha Gayashan passed his 1000 tun mark as D S Senanayake College crushed Bandaranayake College Gampaha by eight wickets in the first game played on the College ground which was completely relaid by the Ministry of Sports at a cost of Sixteen million Rupees.
In addition to Muditha passing his 1000 run mark skipper Pasindu Adithya grabbed five wickets in his opening spell to be the first bowler to capture five wickets in an innings and Senol Jayasena scored an unbeaten 103 off 131 balls with eighteen hits to the ropes to be the first centurion on the new ground.
Invited to take first lease of the wicket Bandaranayake College were restricted to 87 runs a few minutes before lunch after which the home team declared their innings an hour after tea on 250/4.
The visitors continuing from their overnight score of 58/4 were able to post 246 runs in their second essay courtesy the lax DS bowling and fielding conceding 41 extras (29 byes, 6 legbyes and 3 wides and 3 no balls). The exercise was to enable DS to bat a second time and give Muditha an oppertunity to reach his 1000 runs. Gayashan Hettiarachchi capitalized on the lax bowling and fielding to score 73 runs while Arosha Wickremage smashed 39 off 36 balls. Sandaru Chanditha who captured four wickets on day one took the final wicket when given the ball.
Muditha who was out for 60 in the first innings just 40 short of his 1000 runs smashed 69 off 44 balls with nine boundaries and theee sixes.
Bandaranayake College 87 in 25.2 overs (Sithija Silva 29, Gayashan Hettiatachchi 22 Pasindu Adithya 5/26, Methushan Kumara 2/16) and 246 in 48.3 overs (Arosha Wickremage 39, Gayashan Hettiarachchi 73, Sandau Chanditha 5/31, Methushan Kumara 3/83
D S Senanayake College 250/4 dec in 51 overs (Senol Jayasena 103 not out, Muditha Lakshan 60, Pasindu Adithya 40, Teron Baskaran 21 not out Sisitha Madanayaka 2/29) and 87/2 in 13.1 overs
In an ideal world, most things appear to be more complicated than they already are....and of course most of us end up trying too hard and forget the original game plan?
Not an alien or a gremlin, but the pressure in the middle.
Pressure is the mega dictate and a universal language of high performance...
A fabulous asset to those who understand it and absorb it well…plus a telling burden and baggage to those who can’t grasp it.
The learning curve and Intel assuring success for teams and individuals who are truly skilled, pure world class, and well prepared for the discipline.
For us on Planet Rugby, the game is in such good hands between the hemisphere’s and with both formats.
XV’s is looking good and will be unstoppable...Super Rugby is packing stadiums in the southern hemisphere and gives the games global appeal an intravenous boost with live TV etc.
The Guinness 6 Nations has not only pushed rugby to the front and almost shoulder to shoulder with football in the northern hemisphere...England, Ireland, Wales, France, Scotland and Italy capture our passion and engage our psyche on every level possible.
Premier division club and county tournaments generating mountains of rugby$$s without much fuss.
France very proud of the game and currently the world’s most wealthy rugby economy on the planet.
Essentially French clubs pay the most lucrative contracts in negotiated millions...this opens the floodgates for all islanders’ players ...Fiji, Tonga, Samoa, New Zealand, Australia, the Cook Islands etc... are easily lured by the promise of a better life and translate into hefty money deals for players and their families.
The southern/northern hemisphere division for rugby class and sheer skills a lot less and difficult to separate.
Sri Lanka’s own rugby economy is certainly developing at a rate.
The 2019 Dialog league is still as tense and about to swing that pendulum when defending champions Kandy, clawed their way to the top ...and will be under pressure to stop Havelocks becoming league champions again.
Consistent W’s have kept Havies in the hunt at no. 2, and plenty of skills for the pink & chocolate faithful to pack the park to overflow.
The faithful are equally fanatical as Kandy and will be more than capable of screaming the boys’ home and beyond....this weekend.
Natural that both stables will be massively focused on wellness and injury management, particularly their key players.
Havies captain Niroshan fit and able, to pair off with Mithun Hapugoda who has been lethal from the base.
Liston Flat, Sharo Fernando positively buzzing about stopping Kandy under lights.
Sandun Herath and Dabare still strong enough to run through Kandy.
Reza Mubarak’s educated boot and heaps of experience will be most valuable to steady the boys and pitch camp in the Lions half....and plan to run as much.
It’s all or nothing for Havelocks and everything to play for...more to prove their dream season and some justification for their coach Martis to clear the air.
Sri Lanka rugby tasked with sorting the World rugby directive and reassuring the code and community that this was an unfortunate freak incident. Hopefully the inquiry able to provide adequate facts and some clear dictates about discipline and authority.
Natural that Kandy factor in the confusion that veils the park team and look to profit from the situation.
Kandy’s win against CH was a huge statement that the boys are ready to defend their title.
Ratwatte stepping up with sharp anticipation and balance to create some magic on his own ...long will his well weighted up & under and subsequent charge down of Sam Maduwantha’s touch kick ...be remembered by all who saw it happen.
The Papare.com TV replays showing the incredible value of following those box kicks and always pressure on the kicker.
Nigel’s urgency was a bolt of lightning for the Lions and their die hard faithful.
Wilivera, Capt Ritchie D, Danushka Ranjan, Thilina Wijey, knocked the CH boys defense to little pieces.
While their forwards held their own with the likes of Kalhara and Anthony working like irate Trojans, stalled the CH into huge errors with the Kandy line just inches away. The Maitland boys missing 4 chances on the Kandy try line.
Unforced errors kept CH under pressure and despite Herath, Nishon, Gouder, Hirantha, Sam Maduwantha’s collective effort...Kandy ran in 31points. Muthu…Satya, Melder..Saranga, unable to stem the upcountry tide.
The Singer Schools rugby league flagship tournament also kicks off this Thursday with S. Thomas, vs St Peter’s for the Archibald trophy at Mount Lavinia 4.15pm.
St Joseph’s vs Science 4.15pm Longden Place
Wesley vs Kingswood for the Blaze Trophy 4.15pm Nittawela.
Royal vs Maliyadeva 4.15pm Royal Complex.
HSBC World Series 5th round
1st March to 3rd March
Las Vegas/USA.
DIALOG LEAGUE CUP
2nd March Havelocks v Kandy 4.00pm Havies Park.
3rd March CH v CR Racecourse 4pm .
A mega rugby weekender by any stretch of imagination.
Wise to make clinical plans not to be distracted or sidetracked by well meaning souls.
It’s going to take an effort and a touch more to soak it all in.
Rehydration absolutely vital for wellness...especially for our experts, who need to balance up and sharpen the grey output for this mighty rugby specific warrior welcome to March 2019.
Let’s methodically contemplate the immense possibilities this March and marvel at the tantalizing options...
Right down to the wire?
Bula bula Sri api.
Cheers islanders!
A rock solid 85 –runs stand in 135 balls for the 05th wicket, between Amith Jayaratne (52 in 74 balls, inclusive of 03 fours) and skipper, Chamod Wickramasinghe (37 in 81 balls, inclusive of 03 fours) gave DFCC Bank an exciting 03 wickets win, with 05 balls to spare, over Central Finance, in the 01st Coca Cola Beverages Trophy – MCA ‘D’ division 40 Over League Tournament 2019 final, at the MCA grounds recently.
Central Finance who won the toss and batted was restricted to 143 for 9 in 40 overs by a terrier like fielding performance displaced by DFCC and intelligent bowling by their spinners, Gayashan Jayaweera (8-1-40-4) and Chamod Wickramasinghe (8 -1-15-2).
DFCC chasing a victory target of 144 runs in 40 Overs (RPO 3.6) was in a spot of bother losing their first 04 wickets for 34 runs, before Amith Jayaratne and Chamod Wickramasinghe came in with reinforcements. Both were brilliantly run out.
Match Referee, Tyrone H. Wijewardena had no hesitation on naming, Amith Jayaratne from DFCC as his man of the match.
The other 03 special awards based on performances in the league stage matches: Best Bowler Ravindu Maduranga from NDB Bank (44.5 overs / 128 runs/ 16 wickets), Best Batsman / Tharindu Vidanapathirana from Delmage Group (06 innings / 296 runs/ 03 half centuries), Man of the Series / Vikum Costha from Central Finance (243 runs and 15 wickets).
Chief Scores :
Central Finance – 143/9 (40) ( J. Pradeep 20, R. Dilshan 20, C. Jayaneththi 18, U. Indrajith 15 not out, G. Jayaweera 4/40, C. Wickramasinghe 2/15)
DFCC Bank - 144/7 (39.1) ( A. Jayarathne 52, C. Wickramasinghe 37, U. Indrajith 2/30, C. Jayaneththi 2/13)
The inaugural Sri Lanka Masters (Over – 50) T+20 Quadrangular 2019 came to a lack luster end minus the final, with only the play off for the 3rd place, taking place at the MCA Grounds recently.
The main final between Colombo Masters CA and Nationalized Services CA which was scheduled to be played in the morning did not take place, as NSCA pulled out from the tournament, due to lack of players.
Hence, the Colombo Masters CA was declared as the winner and was awarded the Dr. R A H de Zoysa Challenge Shield.
In the afternoon in the play off for 3rd place, MCA scored a fine 07 wickets win over State Services CA.
State Services, who won the toss and batted put up a challenging total of 158 for 5 in 20 overs (RPO 7.95) .
MCA got off to shaky start losing Wasanthalal Fernando, first ball and then Nishantha Mendis soon after.
Sujith Perera (40) and skipper Roshan Iddamalgoda, took the total up to 73 in 09 overs, before Perera was run out while going for an unnecessary 02 nd run.
Sujith Sirimanne (62 not out in 24 balls with 07 sixes & 03 fours) joined Iddamalgoda (51 not out in 44 balls with 03 sixes & 03 fours) and the pair tore the bowling apart with a brilliant unbroken 04th wicket stand of 86 runs in 48 balls, as MCA won the game with 09 balls to spare.
Special Awards (including the 06 league round matches)
Man of the Match :
Match No. 1 – NSCA Vs. MCA - S.N. Fernando, NSCA;
Match No. 2 – CMCA Vs. SSCA – Rohan Raj Perera, CMCA;
Match No. 3 – SSCA Vs. NSCA – I A M Arthanayake, SSCA;
Match No. 4 – CMCA Vs. MCA – Udaya Yatawara CMCA;
Match No. 5 – MCA Vs. SSCA - Sujith Sirimanne, MCA ;
Match No. 6 - CMCA Vs. NSCA – Chaminda Mendis, NSCA ;
3rd Place : Play off – MCA Vs. SSCA - Roshan Iddamalgoda, MCA.
Best Bowler of the tournament – J.D.H. Silva from SSCA
Best Batsman of the tournament & Man of the Series – Palitha Liyanage from NSCA.
Awards were presented by Shanaka Jayaweera , Senior Manager, Procurement & Logistics, Watawala Tea, Ceylon Limited.
Holy Cross College Kalutara emerged champions of the Thomian 7s’ Soccer tournament Cup championship conducted by ‘Thomian api Uyanwatta’ old boys association of Matara St. Thomas College to celebrate 175 anniversary of the school. The tournament was conducted at the Uyanwatta football ground and Matara Rahula College became the runner up.
The Plate championship saw Sylvester’s College, Kandy winning the title over Richmond College, Galle. Altogether 12 school teams participated and the tournament was conducted on league and knockout basis.
Winners and runner-up were awarded cash awards apart from the trophies and the most disciplined team too presented with an award.
Special awards were given to Best Goalkeeper, Highest Goal Scorer and Best Player. Soccer balls were given to every team participated.
The opening ceremony was held under the patronage of school principal W. B. Piyatissa and old boy Brain Ranasinghe while old boy Dr. Lakmal Ranasinghe was the chief guest at the closing ceremony.
As the Dialog Premier League season of 2019 comes to a climax, it is appropriate to reflect on the thrills and spills, ups and downs and of course the drama that made this one of the most memorable seasons in recent years. One club that has stood above the rest and risen phoenix like from the depths of despair, is Havelock Sports Club who have shown one and all, what sports is all about.
If we were to rewind to the commencement of the season in November last year, one of the two league finalists were never even in the reckoning to be in the top 4. Yet in what has been a re-enacting of a David vs Goliath scenario, the men in pink from the Park Club have defied all odds, won the hearts of many in the process and have single handedly revived the dying interest in club rugby with their passionate, never say die, gallant form of rugby.
Having lost as many as 10 starting line-up players from last season to other clubs, many a pundit were quick to write off the Park Club as ‘no-hopers’ and didn’t give as much as a second thought to their title ambitions. Yet, unknown to the outside world, a transformation was taking place deep within the four walls of this 104 year old institution. Led by a president who loves to take on a challenge, the wheels were set in motion to regroup and redraw the map for season 2019. Left with just 6 or 7 ‘seniors’ the rugby board sat down to map out their do or die strategy. Setting the plan in motion they quickly signed up some unsung heroes from the school circuit and got down to the nuts and bolts of putting a team together.
Once the manpower was in place it was left to coach Sanath Martis to work his magic and turn the ordinary in to extraordinary. The players didn’t let down the coach. To a man, they fought the good fight and did the impossible. And as the story goes, the rest is history. To go from non-entities to league finalist even after the format was changed to include a grueling third round, deserves more than a round of applause for the sheer passion the Park club has shown in conquering all the top teams crammed with the biggest names in the game.
Congratulations are in order to both teams for overcoming many a hurdle both on and off the field to become the first finalists in the newly introduced Super League. Ultimately, the winners of the Kandy Sports Club vs Havelock Sports Club game on Sunday March 3rd afternoon will be crowned the rugby league champions of 2019. This David vs. Goliath battle will be played at Havelock Park by virtue of the home team heading the points table at the end of round two. With all roads leading to the park on Sunday, it is billed to be the game of the year. Whether Havelocks win or lose this game, they have already won rugby over.
No doubt, Havelock SC is going back to their glory days! Havies as the club is fondly known is one of the premier rugby clubs in the country, with a century old history of rich traditions. Known to be a family club for rugby enthusiasts, Havelock SC has been a welcome home to foster friendship and camaraderie among the rugby fraternity. The club boasts of a proud history of champion rugby and its name boards depict a host of stars that have represented both the club and country with honours over the years. Havies is synonymous among the sporting public for always maintaining an environment that fosters the spirit of true brotherhood though the great sport of rugby. It is also one of the few clubs that have always had the door wide open for school leavers to come in and develop their talent. This year apart from its achievements in the playing arena, the rejuvenated club has reached many a milestone including a new and improved club house among other facilities.
The Premier League is the country’s oldest rugby tournament and the cup was introduced in 1950. Havelock SC was the first winner of the cup and dominated the league in the ’50s, ’60s and ’70s. The club was founded in 1915 by 27 schoolboys whose ages ranged from 12 to 16 years and were living in the vicinity of Havelock Park. In the formative years the club had no constitution, no office bearers, no materials, no grounds, but just enthusiasm and comradeship.
The inspiration and keenness for all this came from none other than a boy named Roy Joachim who in 1915 together with the other boys got about setting up the club, never dreaming that their efforts would result in a club that would dominate the game for the better part of a century winning the league on 14 occasions and sharing it once. Havelocks were also the first club to win the Clifford Cup.
After the 2nd World War, when rugby was revived in 1949, Havelock SC became unofficial champions and was unbeaten Clifford Cup champions in 1950 and 1951 without having the line crossed a single time in both years. Hockey has also been fostered at the club until recent times. They have won many a trophy at hockey winning the Andriesz Shield in 1935 and 1960, the Pioneer Cup in 1950 and 1955, and first winners of the Bacon Cup in 1947 and several other trophies.
This has been a golden season for the club but their success has not come on a platter. Talent, dedication, commitment, discipline and of course team work from the top down have been the basic ingredients that have contributed towards the success of the club. Out of the 15 games they have played so far they have won 13 and lost just two. They can also take pride in the fact that for the first time they have beaten their arch rivals CR&FC three times in a row in one league season.
Clubs have to manage on their own with no financial assistance from Sri Lanka Rugby. Havelock SC has got the backing of two sports loving sponsors, namely EFL and Mobitel who have been the cornerstone of the Havelocks success this year. This is because no dream can succeed without the necessary funding and these two corporate powerhouses have backed the club financially.
Besides this the club membership has stood by the management and supported them at every turn. A big hand should go out to the hard working committee of Havelock SC led by president Romesh Abeywickrema for doing the impossible and bringing back the glory days of this much loved club. Then also to the Rugby Committee comprising its Chairman Sammy Akbar, Secretary Roshan Opatha, Manager Ruklan Cabraal, Mangala Dharmapriya, Head Coach Sanath Martis, and Assistant Coach Lakala Perera, Continuous Improvement Expert, Haris Omar and Chairman, Rugby Advisory Committee, Ana Saranapala who have all believed in the ability of the players to deliver the goods.
The club is handled by the Executive Committee comprising people like President Romesh Abeywickrema, Vice Presidents Anuja Premaratne PC, Mindika Hettiarachchi, General Secretary Tiny Samat, Treasurer Thusitha Peiris, Bar Secretary Rajive Perera, Social Secretary Eranga Katipearachchi, Ground Secretary V.S Perry, Joint Sports Secretary Roshan Opatha, Nishantha Chanaka, Past President Yoosoof Mukthar and Committee Members Rohan Gomis, Mangala Dharmapriya and Dinuka Perera.
The national Cross Country event conducted by the Sports Development Department of the Sports Ministry will be held on March 3 in Nuwara Eliya golf course commencing at 9.00 a.m. Sports Minister Harin Fernando will be the chief guest at the event. Around 400 athletes representing all provinces will participate.
Pakistan’s blind cricket team which is currently in Sri Lanka to play a bilateral cricket series comprising three ODIs and three T20 matches with their Sri Lankan counterpart visited the High Commission of Pakistan on Tuesday.
Deputy High Commissioner of Pakistan, Janbaz Khan congratulated the team members for winning all the ODI matches against Sri Lanka. He expressed the hope that the team will perform well in the coming T20I matches.
He emphasized that blind cricket helps the blind community and individuals to gain confidence. He further added that sports activities are moving from strength to strength in Pakistan with wider training facilities.
The Deputy HC also briefed the blind cricket team about Pakistan-Sri Lanka ties which both countries are enjoying since the inception of diplomatic relations.
Pakistan blind cricket team has reached the final of all five editions of Blind Cricket World Cup (One-day International in 1998, 2002, 2006, 2014 and 2018) and won the two World Cups consecutively in 2002 and 2006. The team also finished runners-up in the two editions of the T20 World Cup Cricket of the Blind (2012, 2017).
Paris, Tuesday: The international athletics federation (IAAF) announced on Tuesday a first ever world ranking system for competitors.
The IAAF said in a statement the system is “designed to provide a more effective way of identifying the top athletes in each discipline by rewarding consistency and competition among the world’s best.”
It explained that athletes’ “rankings will be based upon the points they score, determined by their performance and place, and the importance of the competition.”
IAAF president Sebastian Coe said it would also make the sport easier to follow.
“For the first time in the sport’s history, athletes, media and fans will have a clear understanding of the hierarchy of competitions from national through to area and up to global events, allowing them to follow a logical season-long path to the pinnacle of athletics’ top two competitions,” Coe said.
The IAAF said the rankings would not be used for qualification for this year’s world championships in Doha, but Coe said that was the longer-term aim.
“The IAAF world rankings will drive and shape the global competition system including entry into future major championships,” he said. AFP
Dubai, Wednesday: Japan’s top seed Kei Nishikori was bundled out in the second round of the Dubai Championships on Wednesday, losing 7-5, 5-7, 6-2 to unfancied Hubert Hurkacz.
The Polish number one ranked 77th in the world handed the favourite his exit papers as Nishikori played the Gulf event for the first time.
He came to the emirate with an early season title from Brisbane, where he claimed his first trophy since 2016.
Hurkacz moved into his first ATP quarter-final after scoring his first career victory over a Top 10 opponent, needing just over two hours completing the upset.
The outsider caught Nishikori with a late break in the opening set but the favourite looked like making up ground in the second when he moved from 4-0, 5-2 up. But Nishikori failed on four occasions to serve it out before squeaking through with a break for 6-5 followed by a serve hold to make it a set each after 92 minutes.
Hurkacz finished the job as he claimed the final set to advance, winning with six breaks of serve from seven chances.
“It’s a huge win for me because it’s the first top 10 win,” Hurkacz said. “It gives me huge confidence. I’m going to try to keep going forward.”
The Japanese top seed was at a loss to explain exactly what went wrong in the first-time meeting with the lowly ranked Pole.
“I didn’t play perfect today, but I think he was playing good serves, better than I thought,” Nishikori said.
“With this wind and this surface, it’s not easy. I didn’t serve well when I wanted to.
“He played well in the important games, I didn’t make many first serves when I wanted to... that cost me some important points.”
In other on court acton France’s Gael Monfils beat Marcos Baghdatis 6-3, 6-2 in 65 minutes.
Following up on his upset of third seed Marin Cilic the day before, he dominated former Australian Open finalist Baghdatis from Cyprus. AFP
St. Peter’s College Bambalapitiya hold the key to success in the 85th Battle of the Saints cricket encounter against St Joseph’s College battling for the Rev. Fr. Maurice LeGoc Challenge Trophy which will be played on March 1 and 2 at the P. Sara Oval.
This Battle of the Saints encounter started in 1933 with George Jayaweera (father of former Sri Lankan national under 19 cricket captain cum Royal College 1970 and 1972 1st XI captain Asitha Jayaweera and former St.Peter’s College 1974 1st XI cricket captain Ruwan Jayaweera) leading the St.Peter’s College outfit in the first encounter.
So far out of the 84 encounters that have been played, the Peterites have won on 10 occasions.
According to the form of the two teams St. Peter’s will be coming into this game with the upper hand having recorded two outright wins against Presidents College Kotte, Lumbini College Colombo while losing a solitary match outright to Mahinda College Galle last week.
They are led by all rounder Ranmith Jayasena who is the son of former Panadura Sports Club cricketer Mangala Jayasena.
Last year’s skipper and Sri Lanka national under 19 World cup player right hander Santhush Gunathilake is the leading run-getter for the Peterites this season with a massive 1350 runs with 8 hundreds, four fifties and a swashbuckling innings of 251 against Ananda College Colombo. Captain cum all rounder and left handed batsman Ranmith Jayasena with a tally of over 700 runs inclusive of two hundreds and four fifties will be the mainstay of the Peterite batting department.
The other top run scorers are Dineth Anjula nearly 500 runs with three fifties, Nipunaka Fonseka close to 400 runs with three fifties will be expected to make their contributions to bolster the Peter’s scoreboard.
There is no shortage of amour in their bowling attack and they will be banking heavily on left-arm spinner Kanishka Maduwantha their top wicket-taker with over 60 scalps and right arm off-spinner Ruvin Seneviratne who has taken close to 55 wickets. They have plenty more in the bowling department with right arm pacie Santhush Gunathilake who has also taken nearly 35 scalps along with left arm fast bowler Tariq Saboor 30 wickets and Shivan Perera 30 scalps each to give the senior duo the backing they need.
The Peterites will once again be coached by their 1998 captain who scored a breathtaking 159 in the big match and Sri Lanka national cricketer Malinda Warnapura. Warnapura guided them to a sensational double by winning both the big match and the limited over encounters convincingly under all-rounder Vinu Mohotty in 2016.
St.Peter’s has produced many national cricketers who have gone to represent the country with distinction - Clive Inman was one of the finest left handed batsmen in schools in the 1950’s who later went on to play English County cricket for Leicestershire, Dr. H.I.K. Fernando - once rated as Asia’s best wicket-keeper, David Heyn, Tony Opatha, Keerthi Gunaratne, former Sri Lanka vice captain Roy Dias, Rumesh Ratnayake, Vinothan John, Amal Silva, Russel Arnold, Kaushal Lokuarachchi, Malinda Warnapura and Angelo Perera to name a few. Incidentally Inman holds the all time batting record for the highest individual score of the series - 204 not out in 1954.
The outcome of the match will depend on which side will have the upper hand of scoring more runs in the first innings due to the 60 overs restriction.
St. Peter’s College squad: Ruvin Seneviratne, Trishen Wickramasinghe, Shannon Fernando, Ranmith Jayasena (Captain), Kanishka Maduwantha, Shivaan Perera, Nipunaka Fonseka, Wanuja Kumara, Dinith Anjula, Vinuda Liyanage, Tariq Saboor, Rishika Dawatage, Lakshane Rodrigo,Himsara Randeniya, Bhanuka De Silva, Prabhasara Herath, Santhush Gunathilake, Shenal Boteju,
Moors SC emerged champions of the SLC Major T20 inter-club cricket tournament when they beat NCC by one wicket off the last ball of the match in the final played at the P. Sara Oval yesterday.
Moors SC who won the toss and elected to field first saw NCC score 173-7 in 20 overs with opener Pathum Nissanka making a top score of 52 off 38 balls inclusive of 6 fours and sharing a fourth wicket stand of 55 with skipper Mahela Udawatte (31).
Chaturanga de Silva (20), Dinesh Chandimal (20) and Lahiru Udara (19) also contributed towards what was a defendable total. Adeesha Thilanchana was Moors’ main wicket-taker with 3 wickets for 30 runs.
Moors SC in their run chase were comfortably placed to win at 156-6 at the end of the 18th over and required 18 off the last two overs.
But NCC hit back in the penultimate over to capture two wickets off successive balls to leave Moors needing 16 off the final over with two wickets in hand.
Shiran Fernando took two runs off the first ball bowled by leg-spinner Saranga Rajaguru and hammered the next two for sixes to cut the deficit to two runs off the final three balls. Moors lost Ayana Siriwardhana run out without facing a ball to the fourth ball. Last man Chanuk Dilshan took a single off the first ball to tie the scores and off the final delivery of the match Fernando sneaked in a single to signal a thrilling victory for Moors.
Earlier Moors’ batting was held together by middle order batsman Nimanda Madushanka who scored 47 off 23 balls with 2 fours and 4 sixes, Ramesh Mendis (37) and Adeesha Thilanchana (26). Mendis and Madhusanka shared a 60-run partnership for the sixth wicket.
Scores:
NCC: 173/7 in 20 overs (Pathum Nissanka 52, Mahela Udawatte 31, Chaturanga de Silva 20, Dinesh Chandimal 20, Adeesha Thilanchana 3/30)
Moors SC: 174/9 in 20 overs (Nimanda Madushanka 47, Ramesh Mendis 32 n.o., Adeesha Thilanchana 26, Anuk Fernando 16 n.o., Irosh Samarasooriya 12, Dilesh Gunaratne 3/18, Chaturanga de Silva 2/20) – YK
With the club rugby season almost coming to an end, focus will now turn to inter-schools under 19 rugby season which will kick off today with St.Peter’s College Bambalapitiya taking on S.Thomas College Mount Lavinia at S.Thomas grounds while St.Joseph’s College Maradana will take on Science College Mount Lavinia at CR & FC grounds in Longden Place. Both games will be scheduled to kick off at 4.00pm today.
In the top division 12 teams will be in action which is divided into two groups comprising six teams in each.
Group A consist of defending champions Royal, St Peters, Kingswood, Wesley, S.Thomas and Maliyadewa - who have been promoted to play in the ‘A’ Division this year.
The Group B comprises last year’s runner up St.Josephs, Isipathana, Trinity, Zahira, St.Anthony’s and Science - who have been also promoted to ‘A’ Division as well.
There will be six other matches due to be played next week as well.
