Wednesday 5th May, 2010 15

MCA “F” Div. Ronaldo’s late header ensures quarter-finalists found Slimline, Union Assurance, Standard Chartered and Textured Jersey entered the quarter–finals of the DSI/AVI MCA “F” Division 30 Madrid win over Osasuna Overs League Tournament, winning their pre-quarter final matches at BY PAUL LOGOTHETIS Madrid has 89 from 35 games. zigzagging run with a skimming shot Chori Castro headed Mallorca into MCA and Thurstan College grounds, MADRID (AP) - ’s “We’re going to fight to the end and which went in at the near post. the lead at the San Mames stadium after last Sunday. last-minute header gave Real Madrid a make win the championship Aranda troubled Casillas in the 38th 43 minutes but Fernando Llorente sent An unbeaten half century by S. 3-2 victory against Osasuna on Sunday with 99 points,” Madrid coach Manuel with a header that the keeper caught Athletic into halftime on level terms Priyanthaka (50 not out in 49 balls to keep it within one point of Spanish Pellegrini said. but four minutes later Madrid’s defense after heading past goalkeeper Dudu with 5 fours) fashioned Slimline’s leader Barcelona with three games to Mallorca improved its chances of allowed Aranda to control the ball Aouate for his 14th of the season. five wicket win over Aitken Spence. play. finishing fourth and taking the last before lobbing a pass into the area for But Mallorca scored two quick goals Half tons by Nalin Wijesinghe Ronaldo leapt at the far post to meet Champions League qualifying place by Vadocz to beat Casillas with a rising after the restart as Jose Carlos Nunes (54 in 49 balls with two sixes and six Gonzalo Higuain’s floated cross for his beating 3-1. shot. volleyed home a finish following a cor- fours) and Susantha De Mel (58 in 53 second goal of the match. The Portugal Mallorca has 59 points, while Sevilla Both teams had opportunities in the ner two minutes before former Athletic balls with three sixes and three forward’s 22nd goal of the season kept stayed with it at 57 after Alvaro second half but Osasuna came close to striker Aritz Aduritz floated a shot over fours, guided Union Assurance to a Madrid just behind its closest rival Negredo’s two first-half penalties led it getting the fifth goal as Casillas made a goalie Gorka Iraizoz in the 51st. resounding 79 run win over HSBC Barcelona, which beat Villarreal 4-1 on to a 3-1 win over Atletico Madrid. reflex save from Aranda before watch- At the Sanchez Pizjuan stadium, a “B”. Saturday. Valencia is third with 65 points. ing Vadocz and substitute Masoud fifth-minute corner trickled through the A 115 runs third wicket partner- “If you lose points now, you lose the Ronaldo came to the rescue with an Soleimani botch a 2-on-0 break in the area to Luis Fabiano for the Brazil ship between K. Fernandez (48) and title,” Ronaldo said. impressive display after Madrid was in 67th without getting a shot away. striker to put Sevilla ahead with his Aravinda Panditharatne (76 in 48 Osasuna twice led at the Santiago danger of dropping points at the Kaka made way for striker Karim 14th of the season. Tiago equalized balls with four sixes and seven Bernabeu stadium as Carlos Aranda Bernabeu for only the second time in 18 Benzema as Madrid tried to rediscover three minutes later but Juan Valera’s fours), helped Standard Chartered pounced on a defensive mix-up for a sev- games, having won all of its matches its offensive rhythm but Lopez was foul on Adriano set up the 13th-minute to pile up 237 for 8 in their 30 overs enth-minute opener that was canceled there except a 2-0 defeat to Barcelona sharp as he blocked Marcelo’s angled penalty from Negredo to go ahead for and proceed to a comprehensive 70 out in the 25th when Ronaldo finished last month. shot in the 78th. He dived to push good. run win over Commercial Leasing off a run with a powerful shot past “He, as a player, makes a difference Ronaldo’s shot from a similar angle out Negredo scored his second spot kick Co. Ricardo Lopez. and luckily today it was with us,” in the 86th before watching the ball fly in the 40th, right after Fabiano came off Fine bowling K. Jayasekera (2 for Osasuna went ahead again in the Pellegrini said. past him for the late winner. with an ankle sprain that is likely to 9) S. Gunasekera (4 for 20) and S. P. 42nd when Aranda fed Krisztian Vadocz, Raul Albiol’s miscued pass back “The whole team played badly,” sideline him until the Copa del Rey final Laksiri (2 for 10), propelled who sent a half-volley past goalkeeper toward Casillas left Aranda with a per- Ronaldo said. “We can’t allow a team against Atletico on May 19. Textured Jersey to a comfortable Iker Casillas, but the lead was short- fect opening as he sprinted on to the like Osasuna to score goals and create In Saturday’s games, it was: Malaga eight wicket win over Regnis lived as Esteban Granero picked ball, rounded the Spain goalkeeper and so much danger. We have to remember 1, Sporting Gijon 1; Valladolid 0, Getafe Lanka, who were bowled out for 98 Marcelo out between two defenders with slotted into the empty net. we’re playing for the league title and be 0; Tenerife 2, Racing Santander 1; Xerez runs. a long ball to head home in the 44th. Lopez did well to deny Ronaldo and more concentrated. 2, Almeria 1; Deportivo La Coruna 0, Match Results (pre-quarter Barcelona leads with 90 points, while Kaka before the Portugal star capped a “It can’t happen again.” Zaragoza 1; and Espanyol 0, Valencia 2. finals): Slimline beat Aitken Spence by 5 wickets Aitken Spence, sent into bat, Phil Start of 169 for 5 in 30 overs Mickelson sidebar. Skip (N. Fernando 50, K. Ekanayake Celtics square could end Tiger to end of side- 38, S. Rodrigo 25 not out, N. Mendis Woods’ five- bar. 2/20, S. Gamage 2/50) year reign and End of side- Slimline 172 for 5 in 28.1 overs series, Suns become golf ’s bar. Return to (D. Wijeratne 42, S. Priyanthaka 50 new world No.1 start of side- not out, M. Rees 37, N. Rodrigo 3/20) at this week’s bar. Union Assurance beat HSBC Players “(Woods) “B” by 79 runs win opener Championship said it’s a lot UAL, sent into bat 233 for 8 in at TPC better than 30 overs (Nalin Wijesighe 54, CLEVELAND (AP) - The Boston days, Steve Nash had 33 points and 10 Sawgrass in what it was Susantha de Mel 58, Sanath Celtics responded to hasty dismissals assists for the Suns. Jason Richardson Florida. last week,” Wijesekera 42, S. Careem 4/35) of their NBA playoff chances by beat- scored 27 and Amare Stoudemire had For a Pampling said. HSBC “B” 154 in 28.3 overs (D. ing the Cleveland Cavaliers 104-86 on 23 points and 13 rebounds. change at the “Early on he Heenkanda 31, S. Careem 21, S. Monday to square their second-round Manu Ginobili, tape across his bro- top, Mickelson hit a couple Balasuriya 26, Eric Upashantha series at a game apiece. ken nose, led San Antonio with 27, must win the really solid tee 2/35, T. Tissera 2/20, S. Siriwardena Rajon Rondo tied a team playoff Tony Parker had 26 and Tim Duncan tournament shots. I don’t 4/20) record with 19 assists, Ray Allen 20. while 14-time think he hit Standard Chartered Bank beat scored 22 points and the Celtics showed The Spurs had won four straight major champi- any of those Commercial Leasing Co. By 70 they’re still very dangerous despite Game 1s against the Suns, two of them on Woods last week. runs SCB sent into bat 237 for 8 their advancing years. in Phoenix. Both of those times, in would have to Tiger Woods “I’m sure in 30 overs (K. Fernandez 48, Having blown an 11-point lead in 2005 and 2007, the Spurs went on to win finish outside he’s a lot happi- Aravinda Panditharatne 76, J. the third quarter of Game 1, the the NBA title. the top five. er with the way Savarimuttupulle 27, I. Priyantha Celtics almost squandered a much big- In the second half, the situation World No.2 Tiger his game is. 3/20, C. Dissanayake 3/50) ger one Monday. They led 91-66 with seemed ripe for another of those San Mickelson has That’s all it CLC 167 for 9 in 30 overs 9:08 left, but the Cavs scored 15 straight Antonio daggers to the Suns’ heart. been in great takes. If he (Krishan Kanchana 85, K. and pulled within 93-83 with 3:13 left. Twice San Antonio rallied from 14 form, capturing Woods’ starts feeling Tulakaratne 21, N. Ranatunge 25, J. Boston, though, closed with an 11-3 back, with a 12-0 run in the third quar- his third Masters happy with how Fernando 2/19, S. Badurdeen 2/30, spurt to level the series ahead of host- ter and a mighty 13-0 outburst that title last month he’s doing out R. Dias 2/15) ing Game 3 on Friday. sliced Phoenix’s lead to 94-93 with 4:26 and finishing there, he’ll be Textured Jersey beat Regnis LeBron James scored 24 and to go in the game. second behind a reign in right up there Lanka by eight wickets Antawn Jamison 16 for Cleveland, Stoudemire sank two free throws, brilliant Rory again.” Regnis Lanka won the toss 98 outscored 31-12 in the third. then after the Spurs twice missed 3- McIlroy at the Haas said in 24.3 overs (D. Peris 25 not out, K. Two years removed from their 17th pointers, Grant Hill made two from the Quail Hollow danger Woods was Jayasekera 2/9, S. Gunasekera 4/20 NBA title, the Celtics were given little line to put the Suns ahead 98-93. Championship experimenting S. P. Laksiri 2/10) chance of getting past James and the Parker’s 19-footer cut it to 98-95 where Woods missed the cut last and studying the course, adding, “I Textured Jersey 102 for 2 in top-seeded Cavs. Despite beating with 3:38 left, then Richardson brought weekend. wouldn’t take too much into what 17.4 overs (I. Withanage 26, N. Miami in the first round, Boston was the house down with a 3-pointer to Woods, a 14-time major champi- he did.” Tharanga 45, G. Fernando 2/25) thought to be too old, too slow and too make it 103-95 with 1:23 left. After on, is coming off a sex scandal Only 12 men have held the top reliant on the aging Big Three of Parker’s two free throws cut it to 103- which kept him away from tourna- spot since the world rankings were Quarter–finals to be worked Allen, Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce. 97, Grant Hill made a 13-foot jumper ment play for five months till the instituted in 1986. off on Saturday, May 8: But the trio combined for 54 points with 51 seconds left, and the Suns put Masters. Woods, the 2001 Players winner, MCA/Morning: Mobitel Vs. with Rondo setting them up with pass- it away by making six of eight free Woods took part in a rare has faced only one other potential Slimline es from impossible angles. Rondo throws from there. Monday practice, playing the front dethroning in the past two years, MCA/Afternoon: Union matched the club’s postseason record The Spurs had to rely on their vet- nine at Sawgrass with Jay Haas that being last year at Doral after Assurance Vs. Access Group for assists set by Hall of Famer Bob eran big three, without much help, to and Australian Rod Pampling. his injury layoff following a 2008 Thurstan/Morning: Standard Cousy. Suns 111, Spurs 102 stay in the game. George Hill managed Pampling said Woods felt his US Open victory. Chartered Vs. Softlogic In Phoenix, the hosts fought off just nine points on 2-of-9 shooting and own game has improved after the Spain’s Sergio Garcia was in Thurstan/Afternoon: Singer third and fourth-quarter comebacks to struggled defensively. Richard worst 36-hole score of his career position to overtake Woods with a SL “B” Vs. Textured Jersey. beat San Antonio in the series opener. Jefferson had five points and three last week at Quail Hollow, where victory in the World Golf After resting his sore hip for three rebounds in 33 minutes. he missed the cut by eight shots Championship event if Woods after a second-round 79, his sec- missed the top 10, but neither hap- Under-15 Girls’ ‘A’ Division ond-worst pro round. pened. BB from Friday Holy Family Convent, Bambalapitiya, St. Joseph’s College, Nugegoda and Sirimavo Bandaranaike Henry de Mel shows his Balika Vidyalaya, Colombo, will be among the favourites to win the Under- class at Victoria 15 Inter-School Girls’ ‘A’ Division Basketball Tournament, which will be BY RUKSHAN RAZAK IN KANDY and Manori Jayakoddy too came up with played from May 7 to 11 at two venues. Newcomer to Victoria, Henry de Mel a similar score. Ten teams, pooled into two groups stamped his class when he won the Results: will take part in the tournament and Overall Nett title for men, at the April Winner Ladies’ Nett: Manori St. Joseph’s College, on behalf of the Monthly Medal Golf championship Jayakoddy Sri Lanka Schools Basketball organised by the Victoria Golf and Winner Men’s Nett: Henry de Mel Association will organise the tourna- Country Resort and worked off at the Winner Men’s Division I: Sujeewa ment. beautiful Victoria Golf course at Lankatillake Group - A: St. Lawrence School, Rajawella off Kandy. Winner Men’s Division II: Per Colombo, Holy Family Convent, Henry de Mel, playing to a handicap Cramborn Dehiwela, Holy Family Convent, of 21, registered a Nett score of 70 which Winner Ladies’ Longest drive: Suwen Bambalapitiya, Holy Family Convent, was two strokes ahead of Englishman Selvaratnam Kurunegala and Siridamma College, Ian Tait and Swede Per Cramborn who Winner Men’s Longest Drive: Sam Galle. both got 72 Nett, but on a count back on Gunaratne Group - B: Sirimavo Bandaranaike the last nine holes, Ian Tait edged out his Winner Nearest to the Pin Ladies’: Balika Vidyalaya, Colombo, St. Paul’s, challenger. Roshini Sangani Milagiriya, St. Joseph’s Girls’ School, San Antonio Spurs’ Manu Ginobili, of Argentina, touches his bandage during the second quarter The men’s Gross title was won by Ian Winner Nearest to the Pin Men: Nugegoda, St. Anthony’s Convent, of Game 1 of an NBA second round playoff basketball series against the Phoenix Suns Monday, Tait and Suwen Selvaratnam won the Henry de Mel Kandy, Sri Sumangala, Weligama. May 3, 2010, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) title for ladies with a gross score of 96 Overall Nett Winner: Henry de Mel. (RS)