Isipatana go out favourites when they confront Thurstan in their Abdul Jabbar Shield rugby encounter which will be worked off today at the Sugathadasa Stadium.

The lads from Havelock Town registered many an impressive wins this season with their best performance being against St. Peter's whom they vanquished 35-0. Led by number eight Shamly Nawaz the team also beat Trinity 24-0, Lumbini 28-0, Nalanda 37-0, D. S. Senanayake 53-0, Science 30-3, S. Thomas 13-10, but lost to Royal (10-14).

The only change from the team which played the last match could be the possibility of the inclusion of Charith Kodagoda in place of injured Veediya Bandara.

The unbeaten Thurstanites will be out in their full strength today and will be looking forward to topple their opponents which they have not done since 1964. Thurstan have beaten St. Peters 10-3, Ananda 13-6, Zahira 8-5, Wesley 17-3, and Prince of Wales 5-3.

Isipatana ran out winners in last years encounter when they beat Thurstan 15-0 at Longden Place.

The teams:
ISIPATANA: Janaka De Silva, Duminda Pushpakumara, Salem Azar, Rifas Deen, Rashmy Hafeel, Rangana Senadheera, Dulshara Ranasinghe, Shamly Nawaz (Captain), Lasantha Mallikarachchi, Roshan Peris, Hamesh Gunaratne, Ranga Perera, Veedia Bandara or Charith Kodagoda, Nishantha Kumara, Amila Costa.

THURSTAN — Saman Peiris, Mohamed Ziyard, Asela Palihena, Sujeewa Hettiarachchi, Chanaka Gamage, Aruna Ariyaratne, Nimesh Chalutha, Kokum Seneviratne, Vinoj Kurupanawela, Nuwan Kumara (Captain), Asanka Peiris, Roshan Buran, Mohamed Rilwan, Nimesh Wellala, Ranil Dhammika.

Referee: Asela de Silva.

Access Group meets last years runners up HNB in their lost Mercantile 'A' division preliminary round match at NCC ground today commencement 10 a.m.

Access Group and HNB have already entered the final having gaining the highest points. Today's match looks to be almost a rehearsal before the final.

Weather could be the vital fact for today.

Access Group the only unbeaten team with 25 points obtained a run rate of 5.73 followed by HNB with 21 points and a run rate of 5.40 losing to John Keells Group.

Union Assurance Ltd. who created a major upset defeating defending Champions Seylan Bank were placed third when secured 18 points (run rate of 4.44). Seylan Bank was on fourth place with 17 points (4.24 run rate).

Informatics who were in fifth place in the points table will meet seventh placed Sampath in their last preliminary round match at P. Sara Stadium today.

The final of the Mercantile 'A' Division is scheduled for July 11 at SSC. This tournament is sponsored by Singer (Sri Lanka) Ltd., and conducted by Mercantile Cricket Association.

World United Martial Arts Federation has accepted the nomination of Oliver Madu-rapperuma to be the President of Sri Lanka Branch of the Federation. His letter of appointment was handed over to him by the Federation’s World body President Richard B. V. Hopkins during the World Championships held recently in Cheltenham England.

Oliver Madurapperuma who participated at the World Championship’s in the open weight class was placed 4th.

Contestants from 40 affiliated countries were seen in action at this year’s championships in England. Ireland won the overall Championship. Other leading European countries that took part are Sweden, Italy, Belgium, Norway and England. Among the Asian participants were Nepal, India, Japan and Sri Lanka. (BP)

A keen tussle between five clubs that made up Group ‘B’ in the annual inter-club tournament conducted by the Women’s Cricket Association of Sri Lanka, Samudra ‘B’ team emerged winners with stiff resistance from Negombo CC girls.

The 30 over limited match played on Sunday and Tuesday at Albert Pieris Stadium, Wennappuwa, drew new talent, especially a fifteen-year old wicket-keeper, Nisansala Sandamali.

The participating clubs were Negombo Ladies CC, Samudra B, Lihini Women CC, Vimukthi SC and Dankotuwa CC. In the final Kumudu Niranjala top scored with an unbeaten 54, to pilot Samudra to victory.

President of the WCASL, Gwen Herat and C. Thilakaratne gave away the awards. Samudra B’ now qualifies to play in Group A’ along with Colts CC, Young Ladies SC, Samudra A’, Colts B’, Kalutara Women’s CC, Ambalangoda Women CC and Polonnaruwa DCA.

Special Awards:—
Woman of the Series — Kumudu Niranjala

Woman of the Match — Nisansala Sandamalie

Best Bowler — Nadeeka Krishanthi de Silva

Best Batswoman — Kumudu Niranjala

Best Fielder — Lakmi Remanthi

Zahira College playing a high octave game of rugby football registered a facile 13 points (1 goal, 2 penalties) to 3 (1 penalty) win over Ananda College in their 'Milo' Trophy inter school rugby fixture at Longden Place yesterday.

At lemons Zahira led by 3 points to nil.

In a game where Zahira simply held sway from start to finish the Maradana school piled up the points through a goal and two penalties. The feature of the match being Zahira skipper Riyaz Hannis scintillating try scored in the second half.

Hannis picked up the ball off a loose maul in Ananda's 25, dashed through 40 metres unchallenged to touch down under the posts in a solo effort.

The try which was the only one scored by either side came in only the second minute of the second half and was converted by centre Mohammed Fazmy. He also kicked too other penalties as well whilst full back Indika Amadanu put over the only penalty for Ananda. Zahira romped home as worthy winners.

Science College, Mount Lavinia pulled off a narrow 12 points (1 goal 1 try) to 10 (1 goal, 1 penalty) victory over Nalanda College in their inter-school Zone II Rugby encounter at Havelock Park yesterday. At breather winners had a healthy 12/10 lead.

Nalanda put up a scintillating performance before going down to their rivals. They were trailing until the short break. Science was lucky enough to pull out the game as they made a lead early in the game. Second rower Chaminda Pushpa-kumara and centre Ayan Hussain planted the tries for winners. Hussain converted one of the tries. Nalanda winger Janaka Kumara touched down while full back Ruwan Kumara goaled the solitary try while converting a penalty. (AN)

The Bolgoda Windsurf School has launched the latest wind surfer named "Windglider" for the surfing pleasure of Sri Lanka enthusiasts.

People who found windsurfing difficult earlier would now find it very easy to windsurf and this has paved the way for women and children to engage in the sport.

The wide stable hull, ultra light sails and unique fine position makes it a revolutionary new learning device for windsurfing. You can sit, kneel or stand while sailing, which offers an easy step by step way to learn the sport. It has enough flotation and stability to hold an instructor and student at the same time, which dramatically accelerates learning windsurfing.

Bolgoda Windsurf School is offering a free demo for those who want to try it and further information could be obtained from the school on Tel: 074-212845.

The Volleyball Interim Board falling in line with the Netball Federation has decided to recruit girls with a very good height.

This novel scheme is expected to be an advantage for the women’s national team.

Any girl born after 1980 January 1 and taller than 5 feet 10" (1.70m) could fit in to this team. The chairman of this project K. A. K. Wijepala said that all players who will be recruited under this project will undergo a three year training programme.

The National Youth Council Chairman and President SLVIB Sunil Navaratne has endorsed this plan and even also showed willingness to provide employment for players.

"All players will be supplied with food, lodging, playing kits and basic needs and step by step special training by us," said Wijepala. He also disclosed that a free Insurance scheme too awaits the recruits. "We do not care if a player has never played volleyball," he said

The interviews to select these will be held on July 29, from 8.30 a.m. at NYSC Maharagama. All those who wish to enroll should bring their National ID cards, educational certificates and a playing kit.

This scheme would be an ideal opportunity for a mercantile firm to come forward and sponsor them. It is expected that the annual budget for this sponsorship would be around Rs. 15 lakhs, sponsors in return could get mileage by providing their logo on Tee-shirts and whenever matches are televised they will be benefited by way of advertising. More details in this regard could be obtained from Wijepala on 850985-9.

Aravinda Premadasa took second place in the Scandinavian Formula Ford Championships held at Mantoro Park, Sweden on June 21, 1998.

The extent of the track was 2.8 km and 20 competitors from all over Europe took part in this race. Aravinda was the only Asian to compete at this event.

On practice day they were given 75 laps and on the day of the race 12 laps. Aravinda achieved the 2nd fastest timing and took the 2nd pole position. During the race Aravinda overtook the first driver and carried out 11 laps and was right in front. But unfortunately another car overtook him because the gear box in his car packed up. He received the chequered flag in 2nd position.

Aravinda was awarded a trophy for winning the 2nd position and also for being the most prominent overseas driver.

This was another great achievement for Aravinda in an International Motor Race.

The visiting Tamil Nadu Combined Schools Hockey team will play their final match prior to their departure today at Royal College grounds, Reid Avenue. They will play Royal College under-19 team today. Earlier the visitors defeated their rivals twice (2/1) and (6/1). In addition to these two-victories they also outplayed Trinity 2 goals to nil.

This event had become an annual fixture as Royal toured India early this year. They hope to make this a tradition . (AN)