Navy Sports Club team scored a hard fought 36 points (5 tries, 4 conversions, 1 penalty) to 28 (4 tries, 4 conversions) win over fighting Police Sports Club outfit in their Dialog ‘A’ Division inter club knock-out rugby quarter final match played at Race Course grounds yesterday.

The winners led 17 points to 14 at half time. After being contained in the first half the Navy ‘eight’ came up with a sterling display in the second half to outplay their counterparts in the loose. Hooker Dulanjana Wijesinghe was a source of inspiration to his team-mates with his fiery loose play and capped a fine performance by scoring two tries.

For the winning Navy SC team the five tries were scored by hooker Dulanjana Wijesinghe (two), prop forward Charith Silva (one), scrum half Harsha Maduranga (one) and full back Thilina Weerasinghe (one), while the four conversions and the solitary penalty were fired across by full back Weerasinghe.

For the losing Police the four tries were scored by full back Suranga Kasun (two), flanker Wajid Fawmy (one) and replacement number eight Kavinda Jayasundara (one) with former Peterite captain and fly half Sandesh Jayawickrama putting over all four conversions.

Twenty two wickets fell on day one in the under 19 inter school cricket match between Royal College Colombo and Wesley College Colombo for the Sir Frank Gunesekera Shield at CampbelL P ark yesterday.

Nimasra Athaagalla paceman of St. Sylvester’s Kandy took 7 wickets for 40 runs against Dharmaraja Kandy.

lAt Moratuwa. Match drawn. St. Sebastian’s Moratuwa: 298 in 50.5 overs (Janishka Perera 73, Tharusha Fernando 56, Praveen Cooray 47, Shanel Fernando 41, Malintha Pieris 35, Nuwanindu Fernando 30, Saliya Jude 2/21, Malith Fernando 2/53, Mark Mathaes 2/63) and 270 in 63.2 overs (Tharusha Fernando 69, Nuwanidu Fernando 62, Praveen Cooray 33, Janishka Perera 26, Saliya Jude 4/82, Romal Fernando 3/73)

De Mazenod Kandana:* 300/9 decl. (184/5 o/n) in 77 overs (Nimna Fernando 89, Pasindu Rajamunidra 58, Nadun Dilshan 42, Mithila Geeth 34, Praveen Jayawickrama 4/98, Tharusha Fernando 2/59)

lAt Kurunegala. Match drawn. Maliyadeva Kurunagala: 255 in 63.1 overs (Dulaj Ranathunga 81, Brian Karunanayake 43, Sanjeewan Priyadarshana 43, Kavin Bandara 29, Chaluka Athapaththu 27, Kaveesh Madurapperuma 4/44,

Mahima Weerakoon 3/31) and 168 in 46.3 overs (Kavin Bandara 67, Dulaj Ranathunge 35, Gyan Karunanayake 23, Supun Sumanarathne 20, Raveen de Silva 4/30, Mahima Weerakoon 2/19, Kaveesh Madhurapperuma 2/39)

Nalanda Colombo: 259(125/4 o/n) in 64.1 overs (Chamindu Wijesinghe 72, Lakshitha Rasanjana 56, Avishka Perera 36, Kaveesh Madhuraperuma 20, Dulaj Ranathunge 3/53, Maduranga Naveen 2/25, Supun Nissanka 2/29, Sanjeewan Priyadarshana 2/53) and 56/2 in 7.5 overs

DAY ONE SCORES

Matches will be continued today on day two.

lAt Campbell Park. Royal Colombo 150 in 38.5 overs (Kamil Mishara 35, Bhagya Dissanayake 29, Kavindu Madarasinghe 26, Thevindu Senaratne 23, Movin Subasinghe 5/48, Shenal Dangalla 3/57, Mohomad Ubeidullah 2/28) and 40/2 in 11 overs (Pasindu Sooriyabandara 23 n.o., Movin Subasinghe 2/20)

Wesley Colombo: 104 in 40 overs (Shenal Dangalla 30 n.o., Themal Bandara 4/18, Lahiru Madusanka 3/24)

lAt Kotahena. St. Joseph’s Colombo: 194 in 56.1 overs (Dunith Welalage 51 n.o., Lakshan Gamage 30, Jehan Daniel 27, Revan Kelly 21, Prithvi Jegarajasingham 5/27, Maheesh Theekshana 2/58

St. Benedict’s Kotahena: 107/6 in 41 overs (Dilan Chathuranga 36, Rayan Felsinger 31, Ashen Daniel 2/18, Miranga Wickramage 2/24, Dunith Wellage 2/24)

lAt Katugastota. St. Peter’s Bambalapitiya: 169 in 48.2 overs (Shannon Fernando 58, Santhush Gunathilaka 43, Nipunana Fonseka 34, Nimnaka Jayathilake 6/57, Kalhara Senadeera 2/39) and 8/0 in 4 overs

St. Anthony’s Katugastota:137 in 37.2 overs (Mohommed Abzar 27, Mohommed Ameen 5/47, Santhush Gunathilake 4/36)

lAt Lake View. St. Sylvester’s Kandy 141 in 41.1 overs (Avindu Herath 50, Virajith Ehelepola 5/42, Upendra Warnakulasooriya 4/22) and 2/0 in 1 overs Dharmaraja Kandy130 in 47.4 overs (Kasun Gunawardane 40, Isuru Dayananda 33, Nimasra Athaagalla 7/40)

lAt Horana. Sri Devananda Ambalangoda166 in 35.4 overs (Sasindu de Silva 50, Shohan de Livera 48, Nimesh de Silva 20, Thisara Sachintha 4/44,

Thilinda Tharinda 2/14, Seneth Vinvinu 2/20, Gishan Gimhana 2/35) and 58/2 in 12 overs (Samith Abeysekara 35, Thisra Sachinthana 2/12)

Taxila Horana:102 in 35 overs (Deeshan Gimhana 20, Sandun de Soyza 3/15, Nimesh de Silva 3/35, Dasun de Silva 2/20)

lAt Asgiriya. Trinity Kandy: 243 in 69.5 overs (Pubudu Bandara 76, Ashan Lokuketiya 72 n.o., Abishek Anandakumara 33, Mohommed Asham 3/57, Pavith Rathnayake 3/59, Kishan Munasinghe 2/14, Shanon Fernando 2/44)

S. Thomas’ Mt. Lavinia: 65/4 in 22 overs (Kishan Munasinghe 30, Trevon Perciwel 2/16)

lAt Badulla. S.Thomas’ Bandarawela: 223 in 59.2 overs (Bhathiya Gunathilake 80, Vimanga Jayakody 33, Ravindu Rathnayake 25, Santhoshan 4/65, M. Sharam 2/18)

Saraswathy Central Badulla: 52/7 in 36 overs (J. Ashok 35 n.o., Ravindu Rathnayake 3/21, Thevin Amarasinghe 2/15)

(YK)

BRC beat Ragama CC by 8 wickets in their fixture of the final week of Super 8 round of the SLC Premier League Inter Clubs Tier ‘A’ Cricket tournament 2017/18 at FTZ Katunayake yesterday

Bhanuka Rajapaksha and Lahiru Udara of NCC made 273 runs stand for first wicket against Colts CC at Galle International Cricket stadium. Angelo Perera skipper of NCC made second ton in this season. Four (4) centuries made in the inning of NCC. Bhanuka Rajapaksha, Lahiru Udara and Mahela Udawatte made centuries for NCC. Nick Compton of Ports Authority CC scored 103 runs.

Three matches will be continued today (17) for day three.

lAt FTZ Katunayake. BRC won by 8 wickets.

l Ragama CC: 129 in 47.5 overs (Akshu Fernando 41, Lahiru Milantha 23, Himesh Ramanayake 5/29, Suraj Randiv 2/27) and and 138 in 41.3 overs (Lahiru Milantha 37, Roshen Silva 34, Suraj Randiv 5/08, T. M. Sampath 2/48)

BRC: 149 (110/6 o/n) in 57.4 overs (Hashen Ramanayake 38, Lasith Lakshan 35, Shashin Dilranga 20, Ishan Jayaratne 4/54, Nishan Peiris 2/06, Sahan Nanayakkara 2/15, Udith Madushan 2/48) and 119/2 in 19.5 overs (T.N. Sampath 50 n.o., Rumesh Buddhika 34 n.o., Lasith Lakshan 23)

lAt Galle Colts CC: 127 in 35.1 overs (Nisala Tharaka 25, Kaveeshka Anjula 20, Lasith Ambuldeniya 5/33, Lahiru Kumara 4/26) and 29/2 in 12 overs

NCC: 618/9 decl. (251/0) in 121.4 overs (Lahiru Udara 157, Bhanuka Rajapaksha 134, Angelo Perera 129 n.o., Mahela Udawatte 106, Chamika Karunaratne 54, Prabath Jayasooriya 4/224, Nisala Tharaka 3/100, Hashan Dumindu 2/39)

At SSC. Saracens SC: 311 (244/6 o/n) in 111 overs (Ashen Bandara 87 n.o., Minhaj Jaleel 56, Andy Solomons 48, Harsha Cooray 41, Gamindu Kanishka 35, Thanuka Dabare 20, Charith Jayampathi 3/43, Chanaka Komasaru 3/96, Madhuka Liyanapathiranage 2/50) and 13/2 in 5 overs (Charith Jayampathi 2/09)

Ports Authority CC: 220 in 58.2 overs (Nick Compton 103, Gihan Rupasinghe 38, Ishan Rangana 34, Mohomed Dilshad 4/51, Ranitha Liyanarachchi 4/53)

lAt CCC. Chilaw Marians CC:372 (337/8 o/n) in 103.5 overs (Shehan Jayasooriya 146, Ashen Silva 105, Sachithra Serasinghe 30, Risith Upamal 24, Rukshan Shehan 20 n.o., Akthab Cader 4/79, Sachithra Senanayake 4/103) and 46/1 in 16 overs (Shehan Jayasuriya 29 n.o.)

SSC: 232 (66.2) Sammu Ashan 72, Chamara Kapugedera 63, Kavindu Kulasekara 47, Shehan Jayasuriya 4/48, Thikshila de Silva 3/27, Malinda Pushpakumara 2/80)

(YK)

The Annual Inter House Road Race of Royal College will be held on Sunday 18 February. The Road Race is one of the most looked forward to events in the Royal College Sporting Calendar.

It is the one single event which draws the highest student participants with more than 2,500 students taking part each year. The juniors under 15 years run the shorter course whereas the students above 15 years take part in the longer course.

This year, for the first time, the prestigious road race has been opened up for parents, old Royalists and well wishers where they could take part in a 5.2km- distance Health Run-O-Walk.

This event aims to promote good health amongst parents, old boys and well wishers. Participants are expected to be at Royal College Upper grounds by 6.30 am for registration. The Health Run-O-Walk will commence by 6.50 am on 18 February. Tickets are priced at Rs. 500/-.

This Health Run-O-Walk is organized by the Old Royalists’ Athletics Club (ORAC) and the proceeds will be used for the development of Royal College Athletics. Royal College Athletics has grown from strength to strength during the last few years.

The Health Run-O-Walk will become an annual event and will be upgraded into a mini marathon in time to come.

This is a kind invitation for all parents, old Royalists, well wishers to participate in the 5.2km Health Run-O-Walk on Sunday 18 February commencing from Royal College Upper Grounds at 6.50am.

The Rs. 500/- tickets could be purchased at the Royal College Skills Center, the lower school and upper schools entrances and at the day of the Health Run-O-Walk.

Prasansana Jayamanna of Negombo CC scored an unbeaten century against Kurunegala YCC in the SLC Premier League Inter Clubs Tier ‘B’ Criket tournament 2017/18 on day one yesterday.

Matches will be continued today on day two.

lAt Welagedara. Negombo CC: 293/3 in 90 overs (Prasansana Jayamanna 119 n.o., Praveen Fernando 79, Sachin Dalpethado 59 n.o.) vs Kurunegala YCC

lAt Dambulla. Galle CC: 256 in 82.1 overs (Rajitha Priyan 87, Damitha Hunukumbura 58, Chathura Lakshan 48, Harsha Rajapaksha 21, Ravind Sanjana 18, Shathik Nimalsha 4/64, Chathuranga Dikkumbura 2/6)

Navy SC: 2/1 in 3 overs

lAt Mattegoda. Lankan CC: 242 in 77 overs (Lakshan Rodrigo 67, Maduranga Zoysa 42, Geeth Kumara 36, Thushira Madanayake 24, Hasitha Nirmal 4/83, Nimesh Vimukthi 3/59) *Police SC:* 34/4 in 10.1 overs (Rajeewa Weerasinghe 2/16)

lAt Katunayake. Air Force SC 226 in 69.2 overs (Roscoe Thattil 93 n.o., Dulash Udayanga 52, Raju Gayashan 37, Milan Rathnayake 22, Pasindu Madushan 7/98, Madhawa Nimesh 2/09)

Kalutara TC: 89/7 in 18 overs (Matheesha Perera 34, Rashindra Silva 4/17, Buddika Sandaruwan 3/39. (YK)

A close game can be expected between two high riding teams in Havies Sports Club and Army Sports Club when they lock horns in their Dialog ‘A’ Division inter-club knock-out quarter final rugby encounter at the Police Park at 4 pm today

Soldiers are packed with some outstanding players under the leadership of ever green wing three quarter Thusitha Senanayake along with last year’s skipper cum number eight Manoj Silva but they should get their act together if they are to pull off a win against the formidable Havelocks and to achieve that the several experienced players who are in their ranks have to give off their best today under their Head coach Nilfer Ibrahim.

Meanwhile the young Havies outfit at present are in team rebuilding stage with lot of top school rugby players who did turn out for their respective schools last year are playing for them in today’s game under the watchful eyes of their head coach Sanath Martis, captained by experienced club player in Jason Melder will know that they must win this game to get in to the semi finals, hence they will come out with their best fifteen for this game and will go out with all guns blazing to topple the Army side and make a deserving win.

Army SC (Probable XV) Ashoka Jayalal , Sameera Wickramanayaka, Dillepa Niroshan, Nalaka Maduranga, Nishantha Kobbekaduwa, Sampath Rosa or Upul Abeynayaka, Chameera Silva, Manoj Silva, Rizvi Mohamad and Ashan Bandara, Mihiran Perera, Thusitha Senanayake (captain), Imanka Ariyapala, Sudaraka Dikkumbura, Gayan Salinda, Head Coach: Nilfer Ibrahim

Havelock’s (Probable XV): Dushmantha Priyadarshana “ Bodhi ” , Prasath Madushanka, Liston Flatney, Shehan Dias, Jason Melder (Captain) , Sharo Fernando, Shenal Deelaka, Lasindu Karunathilake, Sudam Sooriarachchi and Niroshan Fernando, Chamara Dabare, Hirantha Perera, Nishon Perera, Vimukthi Rahula, Reeza Mubarak, Head Coach: Sanath Martis

Gemunu House Captain K A Dumindu Madhumal receives the runner-up  trophy from the Guest of Honour Principal and the Sports teacher.

“Students of Welapura MV have excelled in sports, though they do not have a playground of their own. I saw many talented athletes showing their prowess and they can reach even national level” said Deputy Director of Education (Development), Kalutara Zonal Education Office Inoka de Silva. Vijaya House obtained a total of 455 points and won the overall championship cup while the runner-up was Gemunu House with 426 points. Parakum House collected a total of 345 points and was placed third at the inter-house sports meet at Welapura MV, Kalutara held at Vernon Fernando Sports Complex recently.

Sarojani Nirmala Kotelawala the Principal of Welapura MV, who organized this much awaited sporting event, addressing the vast crowd of students, Kalutara city residents and sports-fans said, that lot of students of her college have even taken part in national-level sporting competitions and annually many students get awards at national level and provincial level Karate tournaments too. Even the Annual Cricket Big Match played by Welapura MV, against Miriswatte National School, at Vernen Fernando Sports Complex is a much-awaited big match which attracts a vast crowd of people.

Vijaya House Sports Captain Ishan Oshada received the championship cup from the Guest of Honour Inoka de Silva Principal Sarojani Nirmala Kotelawala and Sports Teacher N N Kulathunga and the runner-up cup was awarded to the Sports Captain of Gemunu House K A Dumindu Madhumal. 

A hurricane unbeaten chanceless 100 runs by former Sebastianite all rounder Lasith Fernando guided Pyramid Wilmar to beat J. L. Morisons & Company Limited by 44 runs in their mercantile “C” Division cricket tournament match worked off at Moors Grounds, Colombo.

Lasith had 13 hits to the ropes in his epic knock and occupied the crease for 157 minutes and faced 108 balls and this is his second successive hundred in this tournament. By virtue of this victory PyramidWilmar are through to the pre quarters with four victories.

Batting first Pyramid Vilmar scored 304 for 7 and Morisons replied with 258 runs with Gagana Kahawita 81 and Sachin Devage 77 putting on 148 runs fpr the second wicket which was of no avail.

Pyramid Wilmar - 304/7 in 50 overs - Lasith Fernando 100 n/o, Mishen Silva 39, Arunda Dharmasena 35, Janaka Wijerathne 2/50, Hasantha Kularathne 2/55

J. L. Morisons & Co. Ltd. - 258 in 49 overs - Gagana Kahavita 81, Sachin Devage 77, Udesh Perera 3/35, Asher Waranakulasuriya 2/60 

On the 20th of January 2018 in page 13 there was an article in the Daily News, “Cambrian enter under 15 Semi Finals” in that in has been mentioned that Tharindu Amarasinghe is the captain of the Prince of Wales’ College under 15 division one cricket team But the captain of the under 15 division one cricket team is Dinura Fernando. 

LOS ANGELES: Rising US star Christian Coleman set a new world indoor record for the 60m on Sunday, blasting to victory in 6.34sec at the US championships in Albuquerque.

The 21-year-old exploded out of the blocks with a 0.149 reaction time to cross ahead of Ronnie Baker, who was second in 6.40.

Coleman’s time shaved 0.05sec off the existing world indoor record set by Maurice Greene in Madrid in 1998.

It comes after a roller coaster start to the season for Coleman, the world 100m silver medallist.

The American youngster was initially believed to have broken Greene’s 60m record at a meeting in Clemson, South Carolina on January 19, where he clocked 6.37sec. However that time was not ratified because the meeting at which took place was not using electronic starting blocks.

Coleman set prodigious times as a college athlete and has been hailed as a potential Olympic champion. AFP 

Jubilant Sri Lanka captain Dinesh Chandimal praised solidarity and teamwork of his teammates which earned them the much needed series victory in Bangladesh during a press briefing at the Sri Lanka Cricket headquarters following their arrival yesterday.

"We were not just like a team there, we were a family and that unity gave us the winning rhythm. I really appreciate the support given by the SLC president during the recent turbulent times. When everything was going wrong for us, he stood by the team and gave us the morale support to recover,” said Chandimal at a press conference.

“Our coach Chandika Hathurusingha brought a big difference to the team and the supporting staff has done a great job to get the team on a winning streak. It is great to earn a series win at the beginning of the year," he said.

Chandimal also revealed that the first two defeats in the Tri Nation Series greatly helped them to re-unite and build teamwork.

Man of the Series and Man of the Final in the T20 series Kusal Mendis said that he was highly satisfied with his performance and thanked his teammates and coach for all the support and encouragement.

"I think we played as a team and that is very important. I have to improve my batting while maintaining consistency," he said.

SLC president Thilanga Sumathipala said that he is very happy to see Sri Lankans enjoying a series win, ending a long victory drought.

"We knew that we will bounce back, but it took some time. Head coach Hathurusingha, batting coach Thilan Samaraweera and bowling coach Rumesh Ratnayake have done a tremendous job to get the best out of the individuals while building the winning mentality in them," the SLC president said.

Sumathipala also went on to say that Sri Lanka has a unique brand of cricket which they were unable to maintain in recent times, but this victory indicates that they are regaining that lost glory and will pave a platform to develop the Sri Lankan brand of cricket once again.

Sumathipala also acknowledged Chandimal's improvement as a captain in both Test and T20 formats. "Chandimal showed good temperament as a Test captain in Pakistan and now he has proven his T20 leadership which is a good omen for Sri Lankan cricket," he further said. Head coach Chandika Hathurusingha said climatic and environmental conditions in Bangladesh too helped the Lankans to perform well.

"We built a better communication among players and I personally do not believe my experience as the Bangladesh coach was not the main factor for victory. It is the players who earned it," said Hathurusingha. When asked that this victory will be an assurance for the same T20 team to be retained for the upcoming Nidahas Trophy tri-series against India and Bangladesh, Hathurusingha replied that there is no such assurance in the sport of cricket and the squad will always be picked according to the opposition side and pitch conditions.

He also mentioned that players like Kusal Perera and others who performed well in the past too have the opportunity to enter the Nidahas Trophy squad with improved performances.

Injured captain Angelo Mathews revealed that he might be able to play again very soon and commended world record holder Rangana Herath (highest left-arm wicket-taking bowler in Test cricket) for his long time contribution to Sri Lankan cricket.

"Rangana has been a silent hero for a long time winning many victories for Sri Lanka and he deserves a bigger appreciation.”

“I feel great to share the series win as a spectator and hopefully will be able to savour many wins as a player in future," he said.

Wellington, Monday: Australian spinner Ashton Agar said Monday that Eden Park’s notoriously short boundaries mean another run-fest is likely in this week’s Twenty20 tri-series final against New Zealand.

Australia completed a world-record run chase to overhaul New Zealand’s 243 at the Auckland ground last Friday in a match that featured 32 sixes.

They go into Wednesday’s decider as favourites after winning all four of their round robin matches, and Agar said the “amazing” result had further boosted their belief.

“It was great for us to take confidence out of chasing a record total, knowing we can do that,” he said.

“We’ve had the right guys firing at the right times now and I think we’re ready to put together a really good performance again.”

Eden Park more closely resembles a rectangular pitch than traditional cricket oval, and the Australian spinner described the layout as “unique”.

Agar said bowling there was the hardest challenge he had faced in T20 cricket but he had accepted batsmen were going to go after him at the ground.

“If I get hit I’ve got to turn around, keep a smile on my face and try my best with the next ball,” he said, adding that “some people are going to get away to a flyer here”.

Agar said containing New Zealand’s in-form openers Martin Guptill and Colin Munro would be a key element in the final.

The pair took full advantage of the ground’s tiny dimensions to score 105 and 76 respectively last Friday, only for Australia’s batters to produce similar pyrotechnics and claim the win. AFP

The Sports Ministry distributed cricket equipment to schools with the aim to develop school cricket during a ceremony held at the Sports Ministry yesterday.

School principals, coaches, teachers and school cricketers were present at the occasion.

Speaking at the ceremony, Sports Minister Dayasiri Jayasekara said that his ambition is to develop the school cricket infrastructure facilities and provide it with the necessary cricket gear to solve the problems that hinder the development of school cricket.

“New schools are taking up to cricket. We know how much parents have to spend to by bats, balls and other cricket gear. We launched an important program with the support of Sri Lanka Cricket to train all the school cricket coaches in the island and completed the project successfully with the support of the Sports Science Unit. We hope to continue coaches training in 680 schools and have already allocated funds for the project,” the Minister said. 

Left-arm leg-spinner Avindu Theekshana took a match bag of 10 wickets for 77 runs to bowl Richmond College to an innings and 235 runs win over Maliyadeva College, Kurunegala in their ‘Singer Cup’ Under 19 inter-schools cricket match played at Kurunegala yesterday.

Maliyadeva was shot out for totals of 110 and 165 in reply to Richmond’s mammoth total of 510-8 declared.

Dilum Sudeera took 5 wickets for 66 runs for Richmond in Maliyadeva’s second innings.

Other key individual performances came from C. P. Thanujan (St. Johns’s Jaffna) who made a century against Hindu College Jaffna and Kanishka Nanayakkara (St. Joseph Vaz) who took 6 wickets for 42 runs.

RESULTS:

* At Kurunegala: Richmond won by inns & 235 runs.

Maliyadeva: 110 and 165 in 49.3 overs (Dulaj Ranathunge 59, Supun Sumanarathne 21, Dilum Sudeera 5/66, Ravindu Theekshana 3/35)

Richmond: 510/8 decl. (356/3 o/n) in 84.4 overs (Dhananjaya Lakshan 154, Kamindu Mendis 124, Sandun Mendis 52 n.o., Adhithya Siriwardana 51, Duin Kalansooriya 38, Dilum Sudeera 36, Kaveen Bandara 3/84, Dulaj Ranatunaga 3/88, Sanjeewan Priyadarshana 2/129)

DAY ONE SCORES

Matches will be continued today on day two.

* At Godigamuwa: President’s Kotte: 113 in 32.3 overs (Thashitha Nirmal 23, Akila Roshan 22, Kanishka Nanayakkara 6/42, Najith Madusanka 2/14, Dineth Fernando 2/26)

St. Joseph Vaz Wennappuwa: 274/7 at close in 60 overs (Yohan Peiris 81 n.o., Kanishka Nanayakkara 55, Sohan Anuruddha 45, Nipun Dhananjaya 21, Hasindu Ranamuka 4/41)

* At Jaffna: St. John’s Jaffna: 315 in 59.7 overs (C. P. Thanujan 103, M. Abinash 89, D. Sheropan 31, N. Sowmiyan 30, K. Santhos 7/91, Y. Vidushan 3/37)

Hindu Jaffna: 87/6 at close in 36 overs (Vasanthan Jathushan 3/17, J. Sudeedsan 2/7) - YK 

Unbeaten Chilaw Marians CC emerged champion of the SLC Premier League Inter-Clubs Tier ‘A’ cricket tournament 2017/18 when they beat defending champions SSC by 264 runs in the final Super 8 match played at the CCC grounds yesterday. SSC left with the imposing task of chasing 540 for victory was dismissed for 275 in their second innings with Shehan Jayasooriya the star performer for Chilaw Marians capturing eight wickets in the match to go with his contributions of 146 and 88 with the bat.

Chilaw Marians CC finished on top with 111.940 points to head the Super 8 round points table. SSC ended up runner up with 93.280 points followed by Ports Authority CC (82.150 points) and BRC (74.070).

Chilaw Marians CC won the Premier title previously in 2004, 2005 and 2009. Sachithra Serasinghe (Chilaw Marians CC) was the leading batsman of the season scoring 901 runs in 10 matches with 3 centuries and 6 half centuries.

Malinda Pushpakumara (Chilaw Marians CC) was the leading wicket taker with 70 wickets for 1153 runs from 10 matches.

SCORES:

* At CCC: Chilaw Marians CC won by 264 runs.

Chilaw Marians CC: 372 and 399 (46/1 o/n) in 105.3 overs (Risith Upamal 88 n.o., Shehan Jayasuriya 88, Rukshan Fernando 78, Sachithra Serasinghe 37, Oshadha Fernando 31, Thikshila de Silva 31, Akash Senarathne 4/72, Sachithra Senanayake 4/134, Kasun Madhusanka 2/48)

SSC: 232 and 275 in 72.2 overs (Sammu Ashan 83, Sachithra Senanayake 45, Charith Asalanka 45, Shehan Jayasooriya 4/65, Pulina Tharanga 3/11, Malinda Pushpakumara 3/112)

- YK

A patient 58 off 198 balls by opening batsman Nimanthaka Bhashana and 55 off 94 balls by Hirantha Lakshan helped St Thomas College, Matara draw their under 19 traditional cricket encounter against St Sebastians College, Katuneriya at the Uyanwatta Stadium last evening.

The Matara Thomians who were trailing by 139 runs at the end of the first innings batted for two and a half sessions to end the game on 181/6. Invited to bat first the home team were restricted to 82 runs. St Sebastians Katuneriya continued from their overnight score of 169/5 ended their innings at 221. Opener Samitha Dilshan scored 88 while skipper Charuka Perera scored 46. Lahiru Dilshan captured four wickets while Gishanthika Jayaweera captured three wickets.

STC Matara 82 in 40.3 overs (Lahiru Dilshan 24, Harindu Jayasekera 25 Sandeep Madusha 3/14, Dishan Pramod 2/25) and 181/6 in 79 overs (Nimanthaka Bhashana 58, Hirantha Lakshan 55, Shehan Silva 4/52)

St Sebastian’s Katuneriya 221 in 77.1 overs (169/5 on) (Samitha Dilshan 88, Ayon Heshara 33, Charuka Perera 46, Shehshan Silva 22, Gishanthika Jayaweera 3/57, Lahiru Dilshan 4/39) 

Moscow: Yury Tyukalov, a Soviet rowing great who won two Olympic gold medals at the Helsinki and Melbourne Games, died at the age of 87, the country’s rowing federation said Monday.

“Today two-time Olympic champion, silver medallist at the 1960 Games and six-time European champion Yury Tyukalov died at the age of 87,” said a statement on the federation’s official site. “The federation presents its deep condolences to all of his relatives and friends.”

Tyukalov was the first Soviet rower ever to claim Olympic gold with an unexpected win in the single sculls race at the Helsinki Games in 1952 before winning his second gold in Melbourne four years later, in the double sculls together with Alexander Berkutov.

The duo also won the silver medal at Rome Olympic Games in 1960.

After the end of his sporting career Tyukalov worked as a coach and managed the Soviet national rowing team from 1968 to 1972. Tyukalov was also known as a sculptor working with metal. He graduated with honors from the Saint Petersburg Art and Industry Academy.

In 2002 he was awarded the title of honorary citizen of his native city Saint Petersburg, which also hosts an annual rowing tournament named after him. AFP

Sydney: Australia’s most-capped female player and vice-captain Alex Blackwell was hailed as a “tremendous leader” in the women’s game after announcing her retirement from international and state cricket on Monday.

Blackwell, 34, made her debut for Australia in a one-day international against England in 2003, and went on to play 251 matches across all three formats for her country. She became the fourth female Australian to pass 5,000 runs when she batted in the Test, Twenty20 and One-Day arenas, compiling 5,250 runs.

“Alex has been a wonderful servant to Australian cricket, and a tremendous leader both at national and international level,” Cricket Australia chief executive James Sutherland said in a statement. AFP

Pyeongchang, Monday: French figure skater Gabriella Papadakis suffered an embarrassing wardrobe malfunction on Monday, revealing a little more than just her Olympic gold medal ambitions in the ice dance competition.

A heavy title favourite along with partner Guillaume Cizeron, Papadakis’s skimpy dress slipped during a raunchy short routine in Pyeongchang to leave little to the imagination of millions of television viewers around the world.

Despite the sartorial setback the French pair were in second place behind Canada’s Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir, who smashed the short dance world record.

The mishap happened when Papadakis leaned backwards early on and Cizeron inadvertantly managed to unclip the back of her racy green costume.

Her halter-top, complete with tassles and spangles, edged sideways to offer an unchoreographed flash of her left boob.

The pair were still able to finish as Papadakis tried in vain to keep her chest covered.

And to add insult to injury, the incident was replayed in slow motion on screens at the arena. AFP

Pyeongchang, Monday: French alpine skier Mathieu Faivre, the partner of American ski star Mikaela Shiffrin, has been expelled from the Winter Olympics over angry comments made after a race at the weekend.

The 26-year-old was sent packing from Pyeongchang by the zero-tolerance French team following remarks made to journalists after finishing seventh behind winner Marcel Hirscher in the men’s giant slalom.

“Mathieu will return to France for disciplinary reasons,” David Chastan, director for French men’s skiing, told AFP on Monday.

“He made remarks after the race that were not in the spirit of the team and will not be retained for the team event.”

Faivre was asked after the giant slalom about French skiers filling four of the top seven spots in Sunday’s race, led by bronze medallist Alexis Pinturault.

“If you only knew what I think about the group collective,” snapped Faivre, who bagged team gold at last year’s world championships in St Moritz. AFP