Saturday 8th January, 2011 15

Vidyartha win Stiff competition at table tennis by 7 wickets BY RUKSHAN RAZAK

Vidayartha College, , a formidable nationals as players turn pro unit, with a fine all-round feat claimed a seven-wicket win over Thakshila Central BY RAVI NAGAHAWATTE can concentrate on sport,” he said, seed/SLAF), Nirmala Jayasinghe (MAS College, Horana in their inter-school cricket referring to the end of the north and Intimates Pvt. Ltd.), Dinesh Deshapriya tournament match that concluded at Horana The table tennis nationals for 2010, east civil war which ended in 2009. (SL Navy), Buddhika Walagampola and yesterday. which will commence today, will be Sirisena said that he was in the same teenager Udaya Ranasinghe. Set a victory target of 81 runs in 18 overs, fiercely contested with most of the top group with players in the likes of reign- All eyes in the women’s open singles Vidyartha cruised to win in just 11.3 overs for players now turning professionals. ing champion Chalitha Ranjana, Indika will be on Dharmasoka, Ambalangoda the loss of three wickets with Niluksha The Table Tennis Prasad and junior sensation Hasintha schoolgirl Nuwani Nawodya who is Galapitage top-scoring with 38 runs while hit- Association (TTASL) has played it safe Shashiranga. rated as the top-seed. The 16-year-old ting four boundaries. and says there are no favourites. This “Table tennis is an indoor game and Nawodya told ‘The Island’ that she Earlier, Vidyartha replied with 183 runs in opinion is also shared by the majority isn’t one of the most popular sports in hoped to do her best at the nationals response to a paltry 113 all out by Thakshila of the top seed and bottom seed players the country. But I believe this year the and added, “this is the last tournament before reducing the home team for 150 in contesting the tournament, which will nationals will draw large crowds for the year and all players try to be at their second essay. commence today and conclude on because the games will be very competi- their best. Scores: Sunday (Dec. 9) at the S. Thomas’ tive,” he said. “I am aiming at the championships All eyes will be on the 16-year-old Nuwani Thakshila Central College 113 all out in 50.5 overs College, Mount Lavinia gymnasium. Reigning champ Ranjana has recov- and also hope to retain my slot as the Nawodya who is rated as the top-seed in (Bandujith Chathuranga 65, Roshan Sampath 11, Isuru The organisers of the table tennis ered from a wrist injury and is expect- number-one seeded player in the coun- open women’s singles at the 2010 Senior Weerasinghe 3 for 6, Samitha Attanayake 2 for 13, Ushan nationals, the 64th in the series, have ed to make a comeback to the sport try. I am not unnerved being rated so Table Tennis Nationals which is expected Wickramasinghe 2 for 31, Chanaka Ratnayake 2 for 40) and received 239 entries. after a layoff. “I have trained hard and high at such a young age, but hope to 150 all out in 71.4 overs (Chinthaka Udana 31, D. to begin at the S. Thomas’ College Mount Chathuranga 13, M. Tharanga 17, U. Pradeep 17, E. The top-seed in the men’s open sin- believe I can defend the title at 2010 face stiff opposition from the seniors Lavinia gymnasium today. nationals. “The only point of concern is who are all talented players and carry Madhawa 29, Chanaka Ratnayake 3 for 23, Ushan gles, number one ranked Rohan related that loss to being ranked as that I don’t know where I stand as a loads of experience,” said Nawodya Wickramasinghe 2 for 53, Keshan Gamage 2 for 8) Sirisena, told ‘The Island’ that it would- number two. She is the reigning cham- Vidyartha College 183 all out in 53.3 overs (Tharindu player because I was out of competition who has already represented the Sri n’t be easy for him, but added, “There is pion and three times national champi- Ranaweera 25, Ruwan Bandara 17, N. Galapitage 17, for a few months,” said Chalitha who Lanka senior team at many interna- going to be severe competition, but I on, and said that she was grateful to the Keshan Gamage 31, Ushan Wickramasinghe 26, Ravindu will represent Seylan Bank. Chalitha tional tournaments. She said she was think there is a chance for me to win.” authorities at SLAF including Air Chief Dissanayake 25, Nipuna Ranaweera 16, R.P. Sampath 4 for also said he had trained hard and sure her friends at school would be The 29-year-old Sirisena is one of the Marshall Roshan Gunatilake for giving 32, M. Madushanka 4 for 51) and 81 for 3 wkts in 18 overs believed he could win the table tennis there to cheer her despite them having few table tennis players who have been her the opportunity to play full-time (Tharindu Ranaweera 23, N. Galapitage 38, Keshan crown for the fifth time and equal for- to travel about 2½ hours from recruited by the Sri Lanka Air Force table tennis. Gamage 17 n.o.; U. Pradeep 2 for 26). mer champ Jothipala Samaraweera’s Ambalangoda to the venue, which is at (SLAF) and gets to concentrate on sport The 2010 table tennis nationals will record. Mount Lavinia. full time. “I must thank the authorities also comprise of the men’s doubles, In the other group, there will be a Bottom seed Ishara Madurangi rues at the SLAF for giving me employment. women’s doubles, mixed doubles and stiff battle for supremacy between play- the fact that she lost in the first round SLTA announces Inter-club Now all those who play table tennis at the veterans’ tournament. the SLAF have trouble free minds and ers like Milinda Lakshitha (bottom of a ranking tournament last year and Doubles Tennis BY REVATA S. SILVA Under-19 School Cricket The Sri Lanka Tennis Association (SLTA) announced yesterday this year’s first all-island In-form Deshan in tournament, the Inter-club Doubles. The entries for the tournament will close on quick-fire century January 10 and the draw will be on January 12. The preliminary rounds of the tournament REEMUS FERNANDO BY will be worked off from January 29 and match- In-form opener Deshan Dias scored a quick- es will be held every weekend and on the fire century (101) in just 76 balls inclusive of 14 Mercantile Holidays thereafter. fours and two sixes for St. Sebastian’s College to The competition this year is to be played in post 219 for six wickets at close, in reply to sixteen (16) Divisions, namely: Nine (9) Regular Thurstan College’s 210, on the first day of their Divisions, two (2) Women and five (5) Senior Under-19 inter-school cricket match at Moratuwa Divisions (Over-35, 45, 55, 65 and 70). yesterday. The Tournament Referee is K. It was Deshan’s second century in three match- Subramaniam. es. Scores: Thurstan 210 all out in 49.5 overs (Sajeewa Salgado 68, Ranga ‘Stone Way’ owned by Mrs. Chamari Jayaratne, ridden by Jockey P. Dinesh Kumar and trained by Jayantha Wijesinghe Wijewickrama 35, Kavindu Kulasekara 22; Marlon Fernando won the “K.C.C. Cup” for thoroughbred horses Class III, at the X’Mas race meet held at Nuwara-Eliya, Race course on 2/23, Wishwa Fernando 2/41) Trinity-Wesley cricket St. Sebastian’s 219 for 6 wkts at close in 41 overs (Deshan Dias December 26. Chairman of Kandy City Centre Thusitha Wijesena, presents the thophy to the owner Mrs. Chamari 101, Oshada Fernando 34, Marlon Fernando 23, Anuk de Alwis Jayaratne. President, SLTC, Gamin Jayaratne, Secretary, Raj Weeraratne, Committee member S. Mannaperuma are also 28; Sachintha Wijesinghe 2/38, Sachith Dias 2/75) in the picture. encounter third oldest in

St. Benedict’s 167, S. Thomas’ 109/1 Trinity’s cricket fixtures S. Thomas’ College were 109 for one wicket at Under-19 School Cricket close in reply to St. Benedict’s College’s 167 as BY SHARM DE ALWIS Asiri Wickramanayake scored an unbeaten 60 runs inclusive of seven fours on the first day of De Mazenod romp to massive win I did not wear my Trinity cap in deference to their U-19 match at Kotahena yesterday. my one year stint at Wesley wherein, together Scores: BY REEMUS FERNANDO paceman Anjana Kudahetti complet- Wanniarachchi excels at Uyanwatte with Baboo Ahamath, I agitated with the St. Benedict’s 167 all out in 43.2 overs (Waruna Fernando 40, ed a match-bag of 11 wickets in A four-wicket haul and a top-score authorities to re-introduce boxing to the extra- Rukshan Weerasinghe 44, Shannon Paterson 23; Chamod De Mazenod College romped what turned out to be his debut of 64 runs by Chathura curricular format of the college. Here it was Pathirana 6/63, Madushan Ravichandrakumara 3/45) home to a huge innings and 146 First-XI match for Royal. Wanniarachchi was the highlight as that I had my head thumped three times on the S. Thomas’ 109 for 1 wkt in 32 overs (Asiri Wickramanayake 60 runs victory over Holy Cross Mahanama College, scored a desk for having suggested “brassiere” when we n.o., Sachin Peiris 19 n.o.) College as spinner Shaluka Scores: first innings victory over St. Servatius’ were asked by Harold ‘Pappa’ for the adjective Deemantha picked up six wickets Royal 222 and 149 for 7 wkts decl in 35.3 overs College, Matara in their U-19 of brass. I will vouch that ‘Pappa’ de Mel had a Wesley 327/7, Joes 67/4 for five runs in the second innings (Imal Liyanage 50, Waruna Dissanayake 50; encounter which ended at Uyanwatte sense of humour from the wrinkled lines on Winning the toss and deciding to bat first, in their Under-19 inter-school crick- Kusal Dias 2/42, Koshan Danushka 3/17) Stadium yesterday. the face behind the years of wisdom even as he Wesley College posted 327 for seven wickets et match which ended with more Nalanda (82 for 6 o/n) 151 all out in 33 overs Scores: admonished me. declared against St. Joseph’s College, who were 67 than two sessions to spare at (Koshan Danushka 34, Gayan Medawatta 33; Mahanama 260 all out I was the only spectator on both sides of the for four wickets at close, on the first day of their Kandana yesterday. Gaurav Deva 3/50, Anjana Kudahetti 6/43) and St. Servatius’ (41 for 1 o/n) 130 all out in 55.2 overs divide until Ana Paranavitana and Chris U-19 encounter at Campbell Park yesterday. In reply to Mazenodians’ 277, 181 for 6 wkts at close in 33 overs (Koshan (S.N. Madusanka 18, S.K. Ediriweera 38; Chathura Dassenaike came along. There were two pretty Scores: Holy Cross were shot out for 42 runs Danushka 88, Ishan Rangana 22, Anjana Jayasinghe 2/40, Chathura Wanniarachchi 4/28, ladies who I thought wrongly to be Trinity Wesley 327 for 7 wkts decl in 80 overs (Lahiru Perera 73, in the first innings with paceman Kudahetti 5/45) Dayan Perera 3/18) and 117 for 5 wkts at close in mothers because in my one year term at Sadeem Thawfeeq 35, Raninda Suriyakumara 27, Ashen Shanel Perera picking up seven 51.2 overs (S.N. Madusanka 68, Gihan Nimsara Wesley, mothers did not come for cricket match- Fonseka 32, Ashel Kariyawasam 53, Basith Muzammil 33 n.o., wickets. Forced to follow, they were A draw at Pannipitiya 18) es. I asked them and they said, “No. We are Tharindu Karunaratne 42 n.o.; Roscoe Thattil 3/111, Fabian restricted to 89 runs. The U-19 cricket encounter Wesley mothers.” Fernando 2/56) The game of cricket was being played for the St. Joseph’s 67 for 4 wkts at close in 15.1 overs (Vidusha between Dharmapala College and Bandaranaike on first innings Scores: R. L. Kannangara Trophy, a prolific scorer with Jayasinghe 22, Kevin Bernardus 32; Raninda Suriyakumara Isipatana College ended in a draw at Bandaranaike College, Gampaha De Mazenod 277 all out the willow for Wesley before he joined the 3/13, Ashel Kariyawasam 1/12) Pannipitiya yesterday. scored a first innings victory over St. Holy Cross 42 and (35 for 4 overnight) 89 all Thomas’ College, Matale in their U-19 Tutorial Staff of Trinity to teach of books and out in 28.1 overs (Sahan Vass 22; Shaluka Division-II tournament match which culture and to walk the straight line. Three half centuries take Petes to 294 Scores: Deemantha 6 for 5 runs) ended at Gampaha yesterday. The Trinity/Wesley cricket encounter is the Put into bat first, St. Peter’s College posted 294 Dharmapala 280 for 9 wkts decl and 119 all out third oldest in Trinity’s cricket fixtures. It com- runs as Thanusha Jayawardena, Nilochana in 36.5 overs (Hasitha Nirmal 19, Ravindu Scores: menced in 1903 after the Trinity-Royal in 1893 Perera and Dushan Hemantha scored half cen- Bad light disappoints Lakshan 42; Sidath Vimukthi 4/36, Hashan Bandaranaike 295 all out and 202 for 6 wkts at close and Trinity-STC in 1897. C. B. Aluvihare cap- turies in their U-19 match against Ananda College Royal-Nalanda Wickrama 3/22, Samitha Sulochana 2/17) in 30 overs (Kanishka Ravihansa 76, Asiri Bandara tained for the first of his three year terms for which commenced at Ananda Mawatha yesterday. Given a target of 221 runs to Isipatana (46 for no loss o/n) 267 all out in 55.2 Trinity and Wesley’s captain was that doyen of Ananda were 43 for one wicket at close. chase in 45 overs, Nalanda College overs (Niulusha Sasanka 81, Shenutha 29, Shanitha Mihiran 29, Thilina Lakruwan 27, Sahan sports writers, S. P. Foenander. Wesley won the Scores were 181 for six wickets before bad Kavinda 23, Deshan Jeykumar 46, Harith Diyamanthaarachchi 27; Daminda Wijebandara inaugural game. St. Peters’ 294 all out in 85.3 overs (Shasheen Fernando 33, light forced a disappointing draw to Kalindu 21, Danushka Sandaruwan 44; 3/29) I missed Niroshan Dickwella’s polished 114 Denham Perera 32, Thanusha Jayawardena 63, Nilochana their U-19 match against Royal Charuka Pramod 4/43, Dilrukshan St. Thomas’, Matale (82 for 4 o/n) 272 all out in 90 purely because I placed bread and butter above Perera 69, Dushan Hemantha 53; Sachithra Perera 6/94, College which ended at Reid Avenue Jayasundara 3/78, Hasitha Nirmal 3/74) and 40 overs (Daminda Wijebandara 72, Lasantha cricket and frolics but I was given a fair resume Pasindu Madushan 2/59) yesterday. for 2 wkts at close in 3.2 overs (Charuka Adikarinayake 80, Lahiru Madusanka 41, Indika Kumarasiri 29; Janith Wijesuriya 4/71, Anupa by Ana P. Ananda 43 for 1 wkt at close in 12 overs (Asanka Thilakaratne While Koshan Danushka scored Pramod 2/17) 16, Geshan Wimaladharma 16 n.o.) 88 runs in 54 balls (12x4s, 4x6s), Wimalachandra 2/19). When Wesley wickets fell like skittles in their second innings and only death-throes Thilina helps Cambrians were visible, a punchy stand thwarted an early Isuru Thilina top-scored with 75 runs in 132 finish. To overhaul 352 runs with 272 for 6 balls, inclusive of 11 fours, for Prince of Wales Navy lifts prestigious Clifford Cup after 37 years declared in the kitty would have been a chicken College to post 174 runs on the first day of their won the Clifford Under the direction of the Force, secured the runner-up and feed, but the Trinitians were in a hurry like at match against D. S. Senanayake College at Cup with four gold medals at the Commander of the Sri Lanka Navy third positions respectively in a Asgiriya when they wished to ‘hit’ the 3.30 Moratuwa yesterday. In reply, D.S.S. were 28 for 83rd Boxing Championships held at and the supervision of the Naval complementary style. movies. Anyway, they finished with the flour- the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium, officials in charge of Navy boxing, Sri Lanka Navy boxing captain K. two at close. ish of a boundary to retain the R. L. Colombo on Thursday (Jan. 6). Navy boxers kept the Navy flag high K. Jayasundara received the presti- Kannangara Trophy. Scores: It was a proud moment for the and drew the spectator attention gious Clifford Cup from the Chief It was, certainly, a far cry from 1956 when Prince of Wales 174 all out in 61.2 overs (Bindu Upeksha 25, men and women in blue to win the with their excellent performance. Guest at the award ceremony, for- Isuru Thilina 75, Dilshan Tharindu 24; Harsha Udayakumara honours after 37 years. Their dedi- The keenly-fought tournament mer National, Clifford Cup and Mahinda Ratwatte, in a show of false bravado 3/09, Sahan Amarasinghe 2/34) cation and commitment for the showed the dominance of the armed Heavyweight Boxer DIG (Rtd) gave Wesley 37 runs to get in 17 minutes by cut- DSS 28 for 2 wkts in 10.3 overs game finally paid rich dividends forces. Navy’s sister forces, Sri Munidasa Gomes. ting short the change over ten minutes by half and brought glory for the Navy. Lanka Army and Sri Lanka Air The four Navy boxers who won and Lou Adhihetty ‘went to town’ and brought Ananda Sastralaya 32, Moratu Vid. 303/6 gold were: H. M. S. P. Gamage who the goodies home. beat W. A. C. I. Perera (Sri Lanka Sampath Perera is Kumar Sangakkara’s gift Anuruddha Kalhara picked up seven wickets Army) in the Light Fly Weight to Trinity in as much as Kumar is Trinity’s gift for Moratu Vidyalaya to skittle out Ananda (49kg) category, D. S. K. Fernando to SL Cricket. But Janishka Premasinghe Sastralaya to scanty 32 runs on the first day of who beat D. L. S. Jayasinghe (Sri whose father, Susil, opened batting for Trinity their match at Moratuwa yesterday. Lanka Police) in the Light Weight in the all-conquering team of 1986 led by In reply, Moratu Vidyalaya posted 303 for six (60kg) category, G. A. N. Fernando declared. who beat H. L. Wanigasuriya Tusha Weerasooriya, should be taught decorum Scores: (Slimline) in the Light Heavy by his skipper Akila Jayasundera. The manner Ananda Sastralaya 32 all out in 21 overs (Anuruddha Kalhara Weight (Under 81kg) category and B. in which he appealed for a LBW was as though 7/15, Sanka Ramesh 3/03) N. S. Sampath who beat his team- he was on burning cinders. Not done, Trinity. Moratu Vidyalaya 303 for 6 wkts decl in 56 overs (Sujeewa mate K. M. C. K. Karunanayake in Highlights of the game were 6 wickets by Liyanage 55, Ishan Peiris 56, Janindu Mudalige 41, Avishka the Heavyweight (under 91kg) cate- Wesley’s Daniel Bartholomeusz in Trinity’s sec- Peiris 51, Kalhara Peiris 35; Lahiru Hasanga 2/27, Akila gory. SAAG-silver medallist R. G. S. ond essay; 114 by Niroshan Dickwella, 5 for 46 + Madusanka 3/87). Kumarasinghe won the award for 2 for 67 by Aaamil Anaz. Others chipped in ade- The victorious Navy boxers at this year’s Clifford Cup. the Best Loser (Men). quately.