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Isipatana overcome initial scare to take Jabbar Shield

by Ravi Nagahawatte
With the final whistle went up, thirty sweat drenched hands and the bellowing cry of "Patana..." echoed allround the Sugathadasa Stadium,making it crystal clear that Isipatana had beaten Thurstan for yet another year.

The final score read Isipatana 9,Thurstan 5.

Both teams waged battle after battle for that egg shaped ball as it were made of gold.However even with the majority of possession, the Thurstanites just failed to press home the edvantage despite scoring the only try of the match.But there was a more pricely item-the Abdul Jabbar Shield-on offer after the conclusion of the match,and skipper Shamly Nawaz took it to his team mates like a new born baby.

The Thurstanites rocked Isipatana with a try as early as in the third minute of play when number eight Aruna Ariyaratne smothered a clearence kick by Isipatana’s Roshan Peiris and pounced on the loose ball which had travelled over the goal line.Centre Rilwan Mohomed, who seemed to have left his kicking boots at home,missed the conversion.

The Patanians laboured with unsuccessful moves from the scraps of possession which came thier way.And once in the second half winger Hamesh Gunaratne almost found his way through the Thurstanites but a crunching tackle put paid to his efforts.The Thurstanites too missed a golden opportunity of scoring when a stray pass with the try line in sight left everyone including the spectators in total dismay.

Isipatana’s Roshan Peiris did the honours in the kicking department as he put his team in the lead with a penalty(his second) which was fired from a distance of twenty two metres.

Isipatana led 6-5 at the breather.

The only scoring in the second half was a penalty put over by Peiris for Isipatana.

Referee:Asela de Silva
ReflectionS
GALLE PITCH — A BUNGLING?

by Sriyan Obeyesekere
The cricket authorities, by all accounts, have ill timed their selection of Galle as a venue for the ongoing Nidahas Trophy triangular. Three of the ten matches on the cards had been awarded to Galle. But the cricket has clashed with the monsoon rains and Galle has been the worst hit resultantly crippling the championship where no cricket has been possible. The first scheduled game over there between hosts Sri Lanka and India did not see a ball being bowled. The same was the fate of yesterday's game between Sri Lanka and New Zealand and the same dark prospect hovers over the third encounter between New Zealand and India down for tomorrow.

The lull in the cricket as the weather determines the points table has been a big disappointment, particularly for the crowds. Galle in particular, is a big draw as was evidenced in its baptism recently in the Sri Lanka - New Zealand third test match. The whetted appetite of the Galle spectator evidently clearly outnumbers the Colombo turnout. An indication of how cricket starved rural fans are. Its a pity for the game.

However, word has it that rain alone is not the reason cricket cannot be staged at the Galle Stadium. Some experts point out that the main flaw lies in the making of the pitch. That the stumbling block of 'overnight rain' would not arise had the advice of an expert been taken to raise the ground level which is at sea level by some 15-inches so as to prevent the tide water seeping to the pitch. It is understood that as it is, the pitch is water prone. With the tide sea water seeping underneath. According to an expert curator not in service now, this is the real bane with overnight rain worsening the state of the ground.
Wesley hold Kingswood to 11-all draw to win Blaze trophy

Hafiz Marikar Our Kandy Sports Corr
Holding Kingswood to a 11 all draw at Nittawela on Friday, Wesley ruggerites won the L. E. Blaze Trophy for the third time in the series, by virtue of their 16-13 victory in the first leg.

Out of the 13 games, Kingswood had won nine, Wesley three and are ending in a draw.

It was the mistake of the Kingswoodians that gave the game away they were leading 11-8 till the last minute of the game, but a Kingswood forward was spotted punching a Wesleyite and Anil Jayasinghe the referee awarded a penalty for the Wesley side, which was kicked correctly, to give them the Trophy.

"Holding" was the operative word. For the whole of the game, Kingswoodians pressed strongly, but were held by a determined defence, which earned an occasional respite with a long kick to touch, from there 22 metre territory.

Indeed the outstanding feature of the game-apart from Kingswoods inability to drive home their advantage — was the splendid touch finding of the Wesleyites. Most of the kicks put in the shade the efforts of the hill-country backs in the trails which followed this game.

At least twice in the first half and on several occasions in the second, Kingswood had easy scoring chances. They "muffed" them all through hesitancy lack of finish, and of course, some spirited tackling by Wesley, for long periods the ball hovered five metres from the Wesley line in the second half, it got no further.

While the Wesleyites, playing as a team, gave a good account, both in forward and back division play. Kingswoodians had the lions share of the loose play, but constant infringements spoilt their best efforts.

A big hand should be given to the young Wesleyites, for flashing a brand of play, the old boys who were seen in numbers at the venue, must have gone back home, happy after the good game of rugby by both teams. At lemons it was 8 all. Anil Jayasinghe refereed.

Both the junior games under 17 and 13 came in favour of the Kingswoodians.

Both teams were hosted for Dinner at the Kandy Club by the joint committee.
Palitha deserves better

Cricket lovers must be wondering 'where is the voice of renowned Sinhala commentator Palitha Perera?' Palitha, a pioneer of Sinhala commentaries, it is understood, is more in the wilderness these days due to a tug-a-war for prominence. It is understood that he quit the SLBC in disgust when he was not wanted despite contributing immensely towards making Sinhala cricket commentaries what it is today. One discrimination Palitha cannot ever forget is that his greatest desire to commentate at the last World Cup during the Sri Lanka segment never materialised. Why? "The head of the Sports Section turned down my request despite pointing out that this was a once in a lifetime chance", said Palitha.

This pioneer broadcaster says today he is not recognised. "Not even a complimentary pass for me. Even spectators are shocked when they see me buying my own ticket and sitting on the grass in the ordinary stands at a match", lamented Palitha who deserves better.
8th Olympic Day run commences in Dambulla

Shirajiv Sirimane reporting from Dambulla
Sri Lankan athletes must concentrate on middle distance and long distance events in a bid to win medals at the next Olympics, observed the Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports S.B. Dissanayake.

Speaking at the conclusion of the highly successful Colombo Olympic Day run, the minister said that 400 metres runner Sugath Tilakaratne too would run in the 800 metre event at the Olympics.

"We have done research and found out that the tailor made track events for small made Sri Lankan's like us are long distance events' he said. "Therefore we would concentrate on events higher than the 800 metres" the Ministers added.

The 8th Olympic Day run commenced at 7.45 a m. from the Gam Udawa site and the Sports Minister along with Nandimithra Ekanayake, Minister of Environment and Forestry flagged down the 900 runners. The runners were led by Sri Lanka Olympic Games torch bearers 400 metres hurdles SAF Gold medallist Yamuna Yapa and Sri Lankan's number one Table Tennis player Tilina Piyadasa.

Yamuna who had given up athletes in the past three years said that the manner in which the Coca Cola Olympic Day run was conducted prompted her to make a come back."After training for three months I will stamp a new Sri Lanka record" she promised.

Tilina said that his run was a noval experience for him. "I am used to training and play table tennis and this is an out of this world experience " he said.

Four National level athletes T.H. Kasun Danandaya (swimming). D. H. Roshan Bandara (100m, 200m). P.W.G. Chaminda Jayaratne (200m 800m) and Sisira K. Sarathchandra (putt shot, volleyball) were the four rural athletes selected from Dambulla area for the event.

The runners in one bunch went up to the Dambulla playground and came along the same route to finish at the starting point after covering 7 km.

The event was conducted to commemorate the birth of the World Olympic movement in June 23, 1894 in Paris by Pierre de Coubertin with 14 member nations. The Olympic Day run was introduced in 1990 as a mini-marathon competition and was held annually along with Gam Udawa. Since 1995 the format was changed to a mass participation event in a bid to give more exposure to rural athletes.

Pure Beverages Company makers of Coca Cola were sponsoring this annual event for the past four years. Each participant received a tea shirt, cap and a certificate signed by International Olympic Committee Chairman Juan Antonio Samaranch himself.

In addition to the two ministers Sirisena Herath DIG Central Range, NOC President Hemasiri Fernando, S.R. Pathirawithana Manager Special Events, Pure Beverages also graced the occasion.
Stricter controls on the construction and maintenance of grounds necessary

By Mahinda Wijesinghe
Where is it more South-West than Galle, in Sri Lanka, where cricket is played at international level? Then, why arrange international matches at Galle during the South-West monsoon? The answer is simple. Of course, one must concede the principle of staging international games in the outstations is most laudable. The crowds flocking to witness the third Test against the New Zealanders recently bears ample testimony. Yet, enthusiasm alone is not sufficient. As subsequent events proved, valuable playing time was lost due to the inadequacy of the draining facilities on the ground.

Draining facilities does not mean only covers, super soppers, willing hands, buckets and old towels. It means an elevated pitch area, underwater pipes and finally provision on the perimeter of the ground to take the storm water away. There is very little purpose if superb pavilion facilities, a magnificent scoreboard, press-box facilities etc., etc., are provided if a match cannot be staged due to the stagnation of rain water on the field. So, let us get our priorities right. The people of Galle certainly deserve to stage Test matches. But, they must be advised to do the right things. The officials there must have worked round the clock to get things right. And, with the Test win, it appeared that their efforts were amply rewarded. Yes, and the people of Galle, indeed the whole of South, especially, will have a special sense of pride. First they provided the country with Sanath Jayasuriya, now a Test win for the first time of asking. But, they must be guided for the future so that they can reap even greater benefits.

However to realise that they will have to iron out basic problems such as better underground drainage and turfing seems galling. This is why it is most important that curators should not be those elected at an annual general meeting of a club as the Ground Secretary. A man in charge of a cricket ground has to be more than that. One can have a playground instructor — many of our former pre-Test cricketers were employed in this capacity a few decades ago by the Municipality — for a peoples' park, but for a first-class cricket ground there should be employed a technically skilled curator. This is something the Cricket Board should seriously consider. Quite a few of our present cricketing problems of the country will be solved if professionally qualified curators are employed on our club grounds.

Getting back to the current Singer-Akai Nidahas Trophy. The India v New Zeland game provided some fireworks by Tendulkar. He simply exploded. Blazing strokes around the ground brought him 3 sixes and an equal number of boundaries until impetuosity borne of over-confidence brought about his downfall. Yet, it was great entertainment while it lasted. Though, the New Zeland may not agree! Azharuddin, on the other hand, churned out an unbeaten fifty in almost the same numbers of deliveries most elegantly. What a combination. The recently deposed captain and the former captain, now back in the saddle. It is obvious that Tendulkar relieved of the cares of captaincy is enjoying himself hugely. A situation reminiscent of the volatile Ian Botham when he was removed from the English captaincy in 1981 and Brearley appointed instead. Which brings me to the case of how Aravinda de Silva was stripped of his vice-captaincy for the series against New Zealand and Sanath Jayasuriya appointed instead. What was the rationale behind that move especially when a statement was also made by a highly placed official of the Cricket Board that in case of a necessity arising Aravinda de Silva will not be forgotten?! Then to make matters worse confounded, Aravinda is reinstated. As a vice-captain did Sanath fail? Now, that isn't easy? Can somebody explain these moves from a cricketing angle? Removing the burdens of captaincy to get the best out of a player is understandable, but thisÉ?

Talking of Sanath, it seems that he is being shackled by the opposition bowlers. A situation which was bound to happen sooner than later. The point is what are our counter-plans? This is where think tanks, coaches, past players and even managers can chip in and work things out. Does it happen? Judging from what we see, it sure does not seem to. Aravinda is certainly not the swashbuckling Aravinda of old. There certainly appears to be slowing down of his feet. But, do not be too hasty in writing him off. There is still magic in that man. Arjuna, on the other hand, is looking fitter and, consequently, better. Though, his capacity to make a big score still eludes him. Also, it was a great pity that young Suresh Perera., the paceman, was picked to make his first appearance against the Indians. Surely, didn't our selectors know that there was an opening batsman by the name of Sachin Tendulkar in the opposition? Let us hope that the trauma of this game will not prevent his future development.

Reports that Chaminda Vaas and Nuwan Zoysa will be fit shortly, implies that they maybe selected for the tour of England due shortly. If Vaas is fit, there is surely a case for him. After all, he has the experience behind him. But Zoysa? The Selectors should not be too hasty in picking him and repeating the South African fiasco. Even if he is fit, can he perform with hardly any playing experience after his injury? The Selectors should look for fast bowlers who are fit, fast and capable of capturing wickets at an economical cost on a fairly regular basis. A principle that should apply for all bowlers for that matter. Also, the tour of England should serve as a precursor for the all-important World Cup next year. Though, playing in August/September with the sun on the back will not be the same as playing in the cold of May.

P.S. A few days ago a genuine cricket fan and a dear friend, Leslie Kuruppu, passed away. Leslie was a cricket enthusiast who kept meticulous records of all Test matches and Test players. Many are the lively discussions that I have had with him. They were rare privileges I enjoyed. Unostentatious, soft-spoken and a gentlemen bred in the highest traditions of cricket, was Leslie. That could well be his epitaph. May the turf lie gently on him.
CR's 'dummy' man Champi

By Ravi Nagahawatte
The words diminutive or pint-size might no longer look appropriate if one were to describe Sri Lanka's scrum half Champika Nishantha. Even his nickname "Champi" too looks awkward on the stockily built Nishantha as he is today a complete transformation from his school days - figure-wise.

The 'new look' Nishantha is in possession of a heavy padding that cushions his body, and almost all of it is hard earned muscle. Leave alone all the body talk, Champika still has not lost that deceiving dummy of his. And when it comes to sneaking through a gap, he still does it so swiftly that the opposition almost always falls for it.

RARE PRODUCT
A product of Isipatana MV, Champi was one of those rare products the school produced. Nishantha was just fifteen when he made it to the school's first fifteen team. And four years later he led Isipatana to win a triple championship bringing back to the school three trophies which had been with them for sometime. Champika recalls his final year of school rugby, a year where his most memorable moment in the field occurred. He remembers as if today when his team beat all the odds which were stacked heavily against them to get past Mahanama. "We fought our way through from a lost position and scored twice within two minutes to surpass our opponents score" was how Nishantha recalled memories of the inter-school seven-a-side tournament played in 1992.

FROM CRICKET TO RUGBY
Going down memory lane as to how Champi took to rugby, it was the shattering of his teeth while practising with the under thirteen cricket team which made him quit cricket and take to rugby. And like his two elder brothers Pradeep Lakshantha and Viraj Prasantha, Champi too went onto represent the country. However, like at Isipatana, he had to fight it out with his school mate, Sudath Sampath, for that prestigious number nine jersey. After being on the bench of the 1992 ASIAD, Champika's efforts were reward when he got the big break a few months later to represent the country against a visiting Papua New Guinea side maturing into a skill full player over, the years, he made it to a side which rewrote the record books. Champika was a proud member of the victorious Sri Lankan rugby team which clinched the Quadrangular Cup in 1997.

OF COACHES
Champi's coaches, Sanath Martis, O. W. R. Perera, Maxwell Dias, Yashuda, Rohan Siriwardana and C. P. Abeygunawardana have contributed towards his success. But when he speaks of his current coach, Tulaga Tawita (Laga), the Western Samoan seems to be given a special spot. "Laga has a knowledge of everything. He is very close with the players and knows to get the best out of everyone," said Nishantha who has led his club side wonderfully this season — CR beat all teams including Kandy which happened to be their final hurdle. However, he warns that his club will not relax from here. "We will look at the second round as a completed new season", reflected Nishantha.

Like it happens to all school leavers, Champika too experienced a gaining of body weight which in his case had got a bit out of hand. "My weight ballooned to eighty kilos and my waist measured thirty four inches at one time. I think the reason for gaining weight so quickly was due to the fact that I ate a lot of potatoes. However, I have trimmed down a lot," mused Nishantha who had played as a prop forward in the Mercantile tournaments. And coming to the said tournaments, he also plays hockey for his company — Nishantha works in the marketing division of Hatton National Bank.

ONLY TIME FOR RUGBY
When asked whether he has any other interests outside sports, Champika shoots his answer with a bit of irritation. "Where is the time to do anything." He asked me. "We have practices daily. And when I return home its around eight or nine. I just don't have time for hobbies," said Nishantha who is engaged to his long time girl friend now.

LOATHES DIRTY TACTICS
Champi gets into a state of exasperation when ever a team-mate is "picked upon" by the opposition. "Once I was sent out when I gave a clouting to an opposition player who without reason spat on a member of our team. I get very angry when a teammate of mine is harassed without a reason," said Nishantha who went on to add that his mind too drifts in this angle when incidents of this nature occur. Speaking of concentration, Nishantha builds up the 'tempo' hours before the match. "I think about the match from the time I get up, and I never go out till its time to make it to the grounds."

Having not got into vices such as smoking and drinking it could be smooth sailing for the next ten years of his life which he plans to give for rugby. And all of it will be for CR.

"I will never change this club," concluded Nishantha.
Three Kandy Schools qualify for President's Trophy tourney

Hafiz Marikar our Kandy Sports Corr
Three teams from Kandy, have been qualified to play in the schools knock out rugby tournament, which is played for the President's Trophy. Earlier this tournament was played for R. Premadasa Trophy, but now they have changed it.

The three teams from the hills are Trinity College, Kingswood College and St. Sylvester's College.

Trinity College, who are coached by veteran Quintin Israel who has mastered the team into a good outfit, and at the moment they are playing good quality rugby, should do well in this tournament, led by Prassana Jayawardene. They are out to do their best in this knock out tournament.

Kingswood College, who are under the guidance of G.B. Gunadasa are packed with young players, and if they can play according to their coaches' guidance they are sure to do well. They are led by M.K.D. Ranasinghe.

St. Sylvester's College who are, at their best, too have got into this knockout tournament, coached by A.K. Rankothge, have done extremely well, they play well and if they continue to play in that pattern, they are sure to give some surprises, they are led by S.A. Niyadagala.

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