Michael Mathysz - new president of CR and FC

By Bernie Wijesekera

He takes over from Jagath Fernando. Incidentally Michael is the nephew of former president of the Rugby Union Cdr. Eustace Mathysz.

Michael, a hardy forward, turned out for the red shirts in 1973 and also played for the SLRFU President's XV regularly with much success.

Mathysz, when interviewed by The Sunday Times said, that he will continue the work of his predecessor Jagath Fernando, who has done a tremendous amount of hard work to uplift the game in the club. During his tenure - 1998 the Longden Place club made a clean sweep winning all the trophies. Last year the red shirts were runners-up to Kandy S.C. in all the events.

In my present committee there is Ajit Abeyaratne (the deputy president) - a good reader of the geme, Mahendra Balasuriya (secretary) and Udeka Tennakoon (treasurer) - the main cogs in the wheel. With all rallying around nothing is impossible to make CR and FC a family club to all and sundry. My vision is to encourage other sports, besides rugby for all to enjoy and give the emerging young stars from whatever quarter the playing opportunities to improve their skills burly Mathysz, added.

This year former Thomian granite - hard forward Savantha De Saram will lead the red shirts.

CR and FC has a great tradition and we will strive to maintain it on and off the field, concluded, Mathysz.

Field Force are champs

Anuradhapura bt Vauniya 'A' by 12 points to nil to win the Plate final and Colombo South beat Trincomalee 'A' by 12 points to nil to bag the Bowl.

DIG Uva Range Daya Jayasundera, Chairman of Police Rugby was the chief guest.

The tournament was conducted under the direction of Nimal Abeysinghe SSP Director of Police Sports.

Record score by New Star

In another match, Red Sun SC trounced Eastern Youth SC by 11 goals to nil.

In the other matches: Renown bt SLTB 8 nil, Navy bt New Star SC Kalutara 9 nil, Ratnams bt Sunny Mount 7-2, Ratmalana United bt Municipal SC 3 nil, Saunders bt OVO SC Negombo 6-1, Sapphire SC bt Hyline SC Kandy 7-3, Tri-Star SC bt Mahajana SC Kurunegala 4-3, Evershine SC bt Golden Star SC Kandy 4-2, Cooray SC bt Old Mazenodians Wattala 5 nil, Chilaw Youth bt Cameroon SC 9 nil, Moratu-Katukurunda SC bt Fortuna FC 1 nil, Old Bens bt Winners SC 6 nil, Maya SC Kurunegala bt Flying Arrows SC 6 nil.

Rover pinpoints....

Rover learns that an official representing the school's section in a popular sport has been doing so illegally and he has been removed on the orders of a leading official from the Ministry of Education.

This official, who held this post for about ten years, made use of this post to gain voting rights in this sport.

It is also learnt that another official is holding the same post in the girls' schools section.

Fingers crossed?

The National Olympic Committee (NOC) is awaiting the nomination of a girl and boy swimmer to represent Sri Lanka at the Olympic Games in Sydney in September this year.

Though they have not reached the qualifying standards, Sri Lanka has been given the golden opportunity to participate.

It is learnt that the NOC is expecting the nomination of two teenagers to be nominated with the future of the sport in mind.

Kottegoda bags double at Welcome 2000 TT

Madushika won the girls under 17 and women's singles events. 

Results of the respective finals. 

Under 9 girls singles: G.P. Dinusha Manoji (Devananda) bt G.H. Shabi (Playgrounds) 21-13, 21-14. 

Under 9 boys singles: Udayanga Bandara (Maliyadeva) bt M.Weerasinghe (St. Sylvester's) 21-11, 21-12.

Under 11 girls singles: Ruhansi Wijekoon (Maliyadeva BMV) bt Kumaraine Basnayake (Maliyadevi BMV) 21-18, 20-20, 21-12. 

Under 11 boys singles: Pasanda Yapa Abeygunawardena (Royal) bt Roshan Prabudda (Isipatana) 21-17, 21-13.

Under 13 girls singles: Yathindra Dissanayake (Musaeus) bt Wasana Sandareka (St. Joseph's BMV Nugegoda) 22-20, 21-10. 

Under 13 boys singles: G.P.H. Sajith Priyadarshana (Devananda) bt B. Chameera Chathuranga (Devananda) 21-14, 13-21, 21-12. 

Under 15 girls singles: Harshani Medagoda (Holy Family BMV Kurunegala) bt Geeshika Perera (Visakha) 18-21, 21-18, 21-15. 

Under 15 boys singles: Indika Thushara Gunapala (Vidyartha) bt G.P.H. Sajith Priyadarshana (Devananda) 21-17, 21-17. 

Under 17 girls singles: Madushika Kottegoda (Maliyadeva BMV) bt Saranga de Silva (Dharmasoka) 21-16, 17-21, 21-12. 

Under 17 boys singles: Yohan Deshappriya (Royal) bt Dinesh Deshappriya (Isipatana) 21-15, 21-15.

Womens singles: Madushika Kottegoda (Maliyadeva BMV) bt Saranga de Silva (Dharmasoka) 21-16, 21-17, 21-9.

Mens singles: K.S.T. Chalitha Ranjana (Devananda) bt Yohan Deshappriya (Royal) 21-18, 21 -15, 21-19.

It's a tough tour in Pakistan - Sidat

By Bernie Wijesekera

Sidat, said its a long-term investment, in preparation for the year 2003 World Cup. 

Sri Lanka will face two against Pakistan and S. Africa at home and away. This will be the ideal barometer to gauge our strength. 

The Pakistani tour is a good experience. Sri Lanka, has the edge over them in fielding and temperament. True, they possess a bowling attack which has variety. Undoubtedly a balanced attack, in the trade. 

Sri Lanka, will be playing 20 onedayers this year and another 20 next year. By the year 2003 we may have played about 52 matches before the start of the World Cup, in S. Africa. This will enable us to build a fairly good side, by year 2003, Wettimuny added. 

The next six months are going to be hard. The Lankans must be prepared to face ups and downs courageously. If you don't lose you don't know how to win. 

He called upon the media to play a vital role in this team building process by encouraging the players after they have been selected by the panel. I can assure you they have the determination. There are quite a number of players even in the under-19 squad, who could fit in to the Lankan 'A' team. 

These players will be given the exposure to play against Zimbabwe 'A' team, who will be here in April 2,000 he added. 

In the 1982 Sri Lankan tour of Pakistan, we came on top despite the host team studded with seasoned players. The present team may get battered and bruised, but the players will get that much needed experience for a better future he added. 

When questioned about the omission of Arjuna Ranatunga and Aravinda de Silva he said no doubt they are great players, who have contributed much for the success of the team. We can't be, too dependent on them all the time. One of them may get the nod to play in the Tests. But its unfair by the others, who have been playing continuously to be overlooked despite their consistent performances. There should be discipline from whatever quarter, if this game is to make much headway, Wettimuny said. Why only one 'keeper on this tour? Yes. If there was another 'keeper without doubt Prasanna Jayawardena is the best bet. He's the most competent 'keeper in the trade today. Romesh Kaluwitharane, too is keeping well. Jayawardena's presence will give more pressure to 'Kalu' he added.

What have you got to say about Saman Jayantha? He should have played two years ago. There is no point picking a player for one match and dropping for the next. It has happened in the past, but will not happen in the present he added.

As for Nuwan Soyza, he has to show 100 percent fitness. If he is not fit, then he will stay back and get treatment to recover fully. There is no point taking passengers and sending them after a match.

Co-selector Brendon Kuruppu, too attended the briefing.

Bloomfield in control

The visitors sent into bat scored 216 runs thanks to two attractive knocks coming from Sri Lanka player Chamara Silva (41 with eight fours) and C. Buddhika (51, five fours), featured their innings. 

Panadura SC - 216 in 63.1 overs (Chamara Silva 41, Kapila Silva 20, C. Buddhika 51, Chanaka Perera 36; Ruchira Palliyaguru 2 for 29, Bathisha de Silva 2 for 2).

Bloomfield - 84 for 2 in 26 overs (S. Abeynayake 44 n.o, K. Dharmasena 28 n.o) - B.W

Memorable for Lahiru as STC win

By Ravi Nagahawatte

The win made S.Thomas' the holders of the M.Sathasivam Trophy which was on offer for the first time. 

Their wasn't a band in attendance yesterday to celebrate the Thomian victory which came after a lapse of five years. 

But if their was one player who took with him the pleasant memories of this match it was fresher Lahiru Wickremasinghe, who plucked four vital wickets in his debut for the Mount Lavinia school. 

The 17-year-old off spinner made his deliveries unreadable to the hapless Wesley batsmen who folded for the second time for an unimpressive 91 runs thus giving the Thomians a thumping innings and 85 run victory.Wesley were bowled out for a paltry 67 runs in the first innings after S.Thomas' made a challenging score of 243 whilst batting first. 

Yet another fresher Jeewan Mendis too joined in the wicket rush as he accounted for four batsmen to leave the hosts in tatters. 

Earlier on day one, the Thomians tore the Wesley bowling to shreds with Meshad Peiris leading the way with a stroke filled 59. 

D. Gunawardana chipped in with 40 and all-rounder Lakmal Fernando, who impressed with the ball by taking eight wickets, struck a fluent 45 to boost the Thomian total.

The Thomians last won this encounter in 1995 under Nilanka Peiris (Senior) when they registered a run-away innings and 12 runs victory over Kushil Siriwardana's XI at Mount Lavinia . 

Yesterday's victory gave the Thomian's their second successive win for the season having earlier beating Nalanda a few weeks back.

S.Thomas - first innings 243 all out (M.Peiris 59, D.Gunawardana 40, J. Mendis 36, L.Fernando 45; F.Maharoof 4 for 50, P.Chandrasekara 3 for 81, S. Colombage 3 for 39)

Wesley - 67 all out ( P.Chandrasekara 21, L.Fernando 8 for 16, A. Bandaranayake 2 for 23) and 91 all out (D. Medagedara 28, T.Peiris 14 no:, L.Wickremasinghe 4 for 7, J.Mendis 4 for 16) 

Ananda -Royal evenly balanced

By Saif Izzadeen

Royal in reply to Ananda's first innings score of194 made a bad start to their innings when they lost their first wicket for no score in the fifth ball of the first over.

However, a second wicket stand of 63 runs between Malinda Thotuwilage (34) and Ruchira Jayasuriya (29) put the innings back on track before left arm leg spinner Kasun Fernando got the wicket of Malinda Thotuwilage for 34 which had five boundaries.

Then Jehan Mubarak and Jayasuriya put on 23 runs. at which stage a sudden rush of blood saw Jayasuriya dancing down the wicket to miss a delivery by spinner Kasun Fernando and was stumped by the wicket-keeper Mohan Fonseka. Jayasuriya made 29 inclusive of three boundaries.

Jehan Mubarak remained unbeaten on 24 which had one six over long on and four sweetly timed boundaries. Kasun Fernando took 2 for 31. 

The match was called off with 14 overs to go due to bad light.

Muthumdaliage Pushpakumara, Akalanka Ganegama, Thilina Kandambi and Jehan Mubarak were playing a day after the under 19 World Cup final at the SSC grounds which they lost by six wickets to India.

Ananda -194 (Malinda Thotuwilage 34, Ruchira Jayasuriya 29, Jehan Mubarak 24 n.o; Ruchira Jayasuriya 2 for 20, Harith Rajakaruna 2 for 46, Ganganath Ratnayake 2 for 41)

Royal - 102 for 3 (Malinda Thotuwilage 34, Ruchira Jayasuriya 29, Jehan Mubarak 24 n.o; Kasun Fernando 2 for 31).

CH & FC teams dominate rugby sevens

By Bernie Wijesekera

It was a stirring effort by the CH teams who showed remarkable strength and stamina.

The highest score for the day too went to CH 'A' against a hapless Navy Trinco.

There was a major upset: last year's defending champions Kandy SC lost to CR 'B' 12-5 in Pool 'A'.

CR&FC 'A' and 'B' teams along with Havelocks 'A' and 'B' teams with gritty Army 'A' are the contenders for the Cup Championship and are in the last eight.The competition 's finals to be worked off today holds a lot of excitement and the organisers are leaving no stone unturned in their efforts to see that top fare is turned out.

Today's matches will kick-off at 8.30 a.m. Mrs. Lali Kobbekaduwa will be the chief guest and Mrs. Padmini Kumarasinghe will be the guest of honour.

Today's matches (quarter-finals):

Bowl Competition - Old Zahirians vs winners of Navy B/Sabaragamuwa; Moratuwa University vs Uva; Navy Trinco vs Sabaragamuwa B.

Plate Competition - Kandy vs Tri-Star; Army Diyatalawa vs Police B; Galle RFC vs Police A; Army B vs Navy A.

Cup Championship - CR&FC B vs CH&FC B; Havelocks A vs Army A; CR&FC A vs CH&FC C; CH&FC A vs Havelocks B.

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