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Sports

Wesley create rugby history
Congratulations Wesley on a historic achievement - beating Trinity by 21 points to nil! No doubts from the reports. I believe it was the supremacy of the Wesley forwards that paved the way for this victory led by skipper Lahiru Boteju. Their 3/4s also played an intelligent game with penetrative kicks to touch and working the line effectively.

CR &FC Vs Navy
Navy shows vast improvement
The final scores are no indication of the pattern of the game. The Navy has shown a vast improvement since their first game against the Havelocks with the return of some key players. These are knowledgeable Centres Gamage and Kolonna.

Their forwards gave a fine display of tackling and rucking, with No. 8 Malewannna outstanding in attack and defense, eclipsing his counterpart.

Flankers Jayasuriya and 'Panda' Wijeratne played a tireless game with Props Rangith and Suranga and Kaluarachchi in the thick of it. Their robust play rattled the CR '8'.
The CR underestimated their opponents. Although the CR mauled exceptionally well, they did not use these mauls to set up scoring opportunities through their three quarters. At vital times the CR three quarters fumbled with the ball or their passes were late.

Having a fine attacking Centre in Kaluarachchi, the CR should have used him more with quick ball from the rucks and mauls and lining up deeper since the Navy Centres were fast on to their opposite numbers.

Kishan Musafer would then have had more room to run. For the CR Savantha de Saram played well with Prop Harin Gabriel using his weight to good use.

CR scrum Champika Nishantha was impressive. More third row ploys with Nishantha should be adopted under similar ground conditions.

Police Vs Army
The Police did not panic
An explosive start by the Army. They piled up 10 points in the first 10 minutes of the game. The Police did not panic. They then took control of the situation and began hounding the Army. They overshadowed the Army forwards with fierce rucking but paid the penalty for selfish play by not running the ball.

Tries were there had they run the ball. The Army on the other hand committed the same blunder.

Their Centres seemed to forget that there were 2 wing three quarters - they were starved of ball. So the game proceeded with both sets of Centres and the Fly Halves centering play among themselves! Outstanding for the Army was T.A. Silva whose intelligent play relieved pressure at vital moments.

It was heartening to see three outstanding schoolboys Jeevan Gunatilleke, Ranga Perera and Sanjay Pullendran in the fray appearing for the Army.

Both teams need to brush up on their line out throwing. Asanga Seneviratne has put in a lot of work with the Army but it is important that a game plan is carried out.

Congratulations to Police Coach Hafeel Marso on being successful in bringing his team to this standard.

CH Vs Air Force
One-sided game
The CH crossed the Air Force line on 10 occasions. From the scores it was a one-sided game. What should the Air Force do? I did not see the game but it is important for the Air Force to first concentrate on winning their OWN ball in the Lines out and the scrums. Secondly study the style of play by other teams and plan their strategy. Thirdly WATCH videos of International games regularly in order to understand basics more.

Kandy SC Vs Kandy Youth
Kandy is playing well

Kandy SC will be out in Colombo next week when they play Navy at Welisara. From their present form, I feel that Kandy SC are not pushing themselves too much. As a Coach from New Zealand commented, "I believe in winning matches - not piling up points at will." This is true. Piling up points can help in the overall League Table but there are two 'dangers'! One is 'complacency' or 'ego' where a team may feel that they are the best. The other is getting worn out or tiring out by running so much. This has been a lesson of the past. So Kandy is playing well within themselves and planning their strategy - match-by-match.

Galle RFC, Old Zahira SC must not lose heart
These 2 teams must not lose heart. My motto is "I NEVER play to lose. I play to WIN. But if I lose, I will take up defeat and work from thereon." Coaches of these 2 Clubs, this is only the start. Just work on this: 'Your front 5 can win or lose a game'. They must be SOLID. You must work on Scrumming and the Lines out. After all it is your Forwards who give the three quarters the ball if they acquire possession. You must win your own ball. It is a waste of time and energy defending, and apart from that, any team would be demoralized if they ONLY had to defend.

Rugby year for 'Patana' boys....
Isipatana College, will be celebrating their 'Golden Jubilee' this year. There will be a hive of activity for the young and old on and off the field. It will be sandwiched with an international schools rugby 7s to be held in September.

The Isipatana rugby team won the President's Trophy (seniors) and emerged runners-up to St. Anthony's, Kandy last year. They are raring to go in the ongoing schools rugby season under Anuranga Walpola, a robust No. 8. He led the Lankan U-19 team to Japan.

Walpola a fourth-year coloursman is determined to lead a team to reach greater heights this year too.

He was interviewed by The Sunday Times. From my childhood I have been involved and played in this body contact sport. I am happy to lead the team when the school is reaching a new milestone. All are geared up for this great happening.

No let up. But still will strive to maintain the spirit of the game at all times, not the final outcome.

It has been instilled on the squad to play it clean, hard and maintain high standard of sportsmanship on and off the field. The chairman rugby committee Dilroy Fernando has stressed on this. Don't you agree with Dilroy, being a frontline rugby Ref. and a past player of repute, the players are fortunate to have him to assist besides coach Sanath Martis. Yes, the squad is more conversant with the rules and will strive to play to the whistle at all times.

How many seniors in the side -There are seven. A. Talagampola (2nd row forward), No. 8 Anuradha Dharmatilleke (both members of the U-19 team to Japan), Flankers Tanuja Seneviratne and Nimesh de Silva, half back R. Dharmasiri fly-half Naresh Liyanage, centres Gayan Fernando and A.P.T. Achalanga. The 'eight' could hold their own against the best. - BW

Rover pinpoints...

Who is the National Coach for the Under-18 team?

Rover is informed by the members of the in-active Sri Lanka Basketball Coaches Association that it's high time the young result oriented coaches are appointed as National Coaches for the teams representing Sri Lanka in foreign tournaments. They also informed Rover that present National Coaches have failed to produce results in the foreign tournaments since 1995. Present National Coaches are the office bearers of the in-active SLBCA. Under-18 tournament is to be held in China. Over to you Minister of Sports?

Why SLBF fixed assets at VP's residence?

Rover is informed by a senior member of the Executive Committee of the Sri Lanka Basketball Federation that in spite of numerous requests made to the Vice President the fixed assets have still not been returned to the office premises given by the Ministry of Sports. This clearly violates the Constitution. What disciplinary action is the Exco going to take against the offender is what is asked in the Basketball circles? Over to you president SLBF?

Is this SLBF Exco meeting valid?

Rover is informed that the notice for the executive committee meeting held last month has been signed by the former secretary who is not an office bearer this year. The present Secretary and Assistant Secretary were elected unanimously at the AGM held in March this year. Why was an outsider allowed to sign the notice in violation of the SLBF Constitution? Is the disciplinary committee appointed by this unconstitutional Exco is valid in law? Over to you President SLBF?

Who is Managing the SLBF Office?

The President is stationed in the North, Secretary have resigned due to ill health and the Asst. Secretary is stationed in Diyatalawa. All these office bearers were elected unanimously at the AGM held in March this year. How can the National controlling body function with the important office bearers stationed miles away from Colombo? Rover is informed by the member associations why not they resign and allow the real Basketball administrators in Colombo to manage the SLBF? Over to you Minister of Sports?

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