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Board XI, Kiwis settle for a draw Visiting New Zealand cricket team's three-day tour opener against the Sri Lanka Board XI ended in a draw at P. Sara Stadium yesterday. New Zealand declared their second innings at the lunch break on the final day at 178 for 5, leaving the locals to make 249 to win in the final two sessions. Board XI took up the challenge initially but gave up later and finally finished on 157 for 5, with skipper Mahela Jayawardena making a top score of 40. Resuming in the morning on 77 for 2, New Zealand, who were 147 runs ahead, added 71 more runs to their overnight score while losing three wickets during a rain curtailed first session. Left arm spinner Niroshan Bandaratilleke who was impressive in the first innings, once again bowled superbly to capture three wickets, finishing with a match bag of seven wickets to enhance his chances of a maiden test cap. Bandaratilleke who claimed 3 for 47 in 18 overs was ably supported by off spinner Tilan Samaraweera who took two for 57 in 19 overs. Board XI who began their second innings after lunch were given a breezy start by schoolboy openers Pradeep Hewage and Upeka Fernando. Hard-hitting Fernando blasted seven fours in making 37 off 49 balls while Hewage made 16 in 24 balls in a 33-run opening stand which came in eight overs. Jayawardena who came in at number three, made no harm for his test hopes with a solid, stylish 99-ball knock, hitting three fours. When rains came down a few overs before the scheduled close, Board XI were 157 for 5.
Asian Volleyball Club Championship The Air Force Women's team left Sri Lanka early last morning to take part in the Asian Women's Club Championships which will be held from May 24 to 28 in Hanoi, Vietnam. The Air Women was the automatic choice to represent Sri Lanka at this event after their triumph at the National Championships last year. The event organised directly by the Asian Volleyball Confederation will be competed by eight teams from the Asia region. The Air Force team will be led by versatile spiker Nayana Anupama Jayaratne while Mangalika Wasanthi will be her deputy. The team also includes five national poolists. Vice president of Volleyball Interim Board Sqd. Ldr. Tilak Gunatunge who took great pains to make this tour a reality will be the head of contingent. The team is expected to play three league matches and two ranking matches during their seven day tour. The AVC which had planned to host this event in Hanoi had now shifted to Ho Chi Minh City, named after one of Vietnam's earlier kings has better indoor facilities suited for the sport. The final draw and the managers meeting is scheduled for tomorrow. Following is the Air Force team.
Peterites look to 'rise from the ashes' St. Peter's College, which over the years has been a force to be reckoned with in the local Inter-School rugby arena led by hooker Rajiv Perera is determined to prove that they could hold their own when pitted against some of the more fancied teams as the rugby season wears-on. Peterites, who have produced some of the most known giant-killing displays in schools rugby history, reached the pinnacle three years back, when they handsomely edged-out the invisible Isipatana by 6-3 to win the President's Trophy Knock-Out Tourney. The Peterites were then led by Sanjeewa Abeygunawardene who now turns out with aplomb for Havelock Sports Club. The following year the Bambalapitiya school continued its remarkable run of form once more as President's Trophy defending champs only to be outplayed by their nemisis Isipatana in the all vital finals by a margin of 24-0. Since then however, Peterites have not had much glory to bask on, but nevertheless are eager enough to deliver the goods under their versatile technical adviser and former star Sri Lanka ruggerite Ajitha Abeyrathne who in fact was instrument in guiding the Petes to their greatest triumph in '95 to win the President's Trophy Knock-out Tourney in style. Abeyrarhne, speaking to The Island soon after the Peterites were swamped by a rampant Royal XV on May 16 said, "Ours is a mostly young, but experienced fifteen. But the boys are learning fast and that is most important to me than the team losing a couple of games here and there. We have two very competent and talented players in Skipper Rajiv Perera and No. 8 Camille Gunasekere. My main aim at this particular juncture is to gear the lads to get into the final round of the Milo Schools rugby league. Asked about the losses suffered at the hands of Thurstan and Wesley, he simply put it down to 'sheer lack of experience', but agreed that they had in fact lost to a more superior Royal outfit. He was also of the opinion that despite all these setbacks suffered by the team the boys were upbeat of their chances in the remaining matches for the season. His parting comments to that effect were, "I am optimistic that we will rise just like phoenix from the ashes and before the season is over we will indeed show our true worth to our di-hard supporters". Delving into this year's St. Peter's XV one is able to find youngsters Manoj Perera, Milory Gunasekera and Roshan de Alwis binding down in the front row as props with Skipper Rajiv Perera, receiving stiff opposition from Gihan Atapathu to oust him from the hookers berth. Tharanga Perera and Gladwyn Georgess will be their two lanky second row forwards, with Sanjay Pullendra, Melanao Obeysekera, and Mario Oorloff slated to being the flankers. Peterite No. 8 will be the experienced Camille Gunasekera who is tipped by their Technical Adviser Ajith Abeyrathne as a future national prospect. For the Bambalapitiya school, the smooth halves combination will be in the safe hands of Tharinda Fernando and Dilan Abeygunawardene. Meanwhile, the centre three quarters will be the daring Chrishantha Udugampola, partnered by Rukshan Wijesinghe or Nirmal Joseph. Wingers will be the ever exciting Gavin Lodewyke who is expected to go places with his deceptive, clever running and Sohantha Wijewickrema, Chamara Perera or Joseph Fernando. Mustaq Mohammed will man the last line of defence. St. Peter's Rugby pool for 98 Props — Manoj Perera,
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