Friday 12th February, 2010 15

Donald Steel Golf Schools rugby sevens Munchee National championship on VB C’ship tomorrow Feb. 13 WPSRFA puts a stop to teams by Manjula D. Phillips by Rukshan Razak in Kandy The Provincial matches of theMunchee National Volleyball The prestigious Donald Steel purposely losing games Championship will get underway Golf championship 2010 organised tomorrow. The matches will be worked by the Victoria Gold and Country by Ravi Nagahawatte losing the quarter-finals of the Shield encourage the lesser known rugby play- off on February 13, 14, 20 and 21. After Resort will be worked off at the Championships will be relegated to the ing schools,” said Muddanayake. beautiful Victoria Golf Course at The Western Province Schools’ Saucer Championship, the winners of Four popular rugby playing schools the Zonal and electorate level matches, the Cup Championship quarter finals Royal, S.Thomas’, Isipathana and Rajawella in Kandy on February 13 Rugby Football Association (WPSRFA) 36 teams from Western Province, 22 plans to conduct the inter-school rugby will contest the Bowl Semi finals and Thurstan have decided to skip the (Saturday), with the first tee off at 7 teams from Southern Province, 16 sevens tournament for Western the winners of the Cup Championship Western Province Schools rugby sev- a.m. Province schools in a manner where all semi final will play in the Plate ens. teams from Central Province, 24 teams Over 120 entries have been teams will have to give off their best to Championship final,” explained The Sri Lanka Schools Rugby from Sabaragamuwa Province, 24 received for the event. One of the be competitive in the tournament. Mudannayake. Football Association has announced teams from Uva Province, 22 teams highest numbers of entries that this Muddanayake said as a many as 16 Tournament Secretary N. J. that it is not compulsory for schools to from Wayaba Province, 16 teams from competition has ever received since Mudannayake told ‘The Island’ that teams have been picked to contest the contest the Western Province Rugby it was inaugurated by Donald Steel arrangements have been made to con- championships this year. “We couldn’t sevens to be eligible to take part in the North Central Province, 8 teams from who has come all the way from the duct the tournament on a knockout invite anymore teams due to con- all island schools rugby sevens which is Eastern Province and 12 teams from United Kingdom accompanied by basis where teams will be relegated to straints on time and finances,” he said. scheduled for February 20 and 21 in Northern Province have qualified for his co-architect Martin C Ebert. the Saucer Championship with the first According to Muddanayake, the Colombo. the Provincial matches. defeat in the tournament. tournament costs close to Rs 130,000 Muddananayke said that the inter- The Australian born General The dates and venues of Manager Errel Johnston with the The tournament has been scheduled and the organizers are in search of a est shown for the Western Province Provincial Level matches assistance of the Course Manager for February 14 (Sunday) and will be sponsor. schools rugby sevens by schools was Muddanayake said that the funds tremendous and that was the reason for will be as follows: Maheel Bulumulla and the support- held at the Royal College Sports Complex. for the tournament would be raised the rugby authorities to conduct the Western Province matches at ive staff, have done a wonderful job through the collection from the gate tournament, even with difficulties. “There have been occasions in the Junior School Grounds, Oruwala on in bringing the course to the best past when teams have purposely lost and from entry fees. The draw- possible conditions. matches to play in the Bowl or Plate The teams that win will be present- Lumbini vs Dharmapala 20th, 21st Southern Province matches A notable feature is that a large Championships. But this year, it would- ed with trophies and certificates. Pannipitiya, Wesley vs Pliyandala at Fort Grounds, Galle, on 20th, 21st number of foreign golfers too have n’t be possible because teams need to “The reason behind having so many Central, Ananda vs St. John’s Central Province matches at Getabe expressed their willingness to par- win to contest the three main champi- championships is to encourage the Nugegoda, St. Peter’s vs Royal Public Grounds, Kandy on 20th, 21st ticipate in this competition. onships which are the Cup, Bowl and players to be focused on continuing in Panadura, St. Joseph’s vs Nalanda, The presentation of awards will Plate championships. The teams losing the tournament as long as possible. The Zahira vs Carey, Prince of Wales vs Sabaragamuwa Province matches at be on the same evening at 8 p. m. at the first match in the tournament will Shield and the Saucer Championships D.S.Senanayake, Science vs St. Lucky Volleyball Grounds, Pussella on the Victoria Club house. go to the Shield Championships, those were introduced some time back to Benedict’s. 13th, 14th Uva Province matches at Public Grounds, Monaragala on 20th, 21st Wayamba Province matches at Senanayake Central College, Madampe All set for Inter Banks CAB Six A Side Cricket Tournament on 20th, 21st North Central Province matches at Indoor Stadium MCA 20-20 The Clearing Association Lanka Clear (Pvt) Ltd have Anuradhapura on 20th, 21st Eastern of Bankers (CAB) has organ- confirmed their participation Province matches at Machezer cricket championships ised a Six A Side Cricket along with a team from the Grounds, Trincomalee on 20th, 21st The second MCA 20-20, revived tournament which will be Central Bank of Sri Lanka. Northern Province matches at Jaffna after 05 years, played with six teams held on February 20 There will be around 25 Central School Grounds on 20th, 21st. which participated in the premier (Saturday) at the Shalika teams vying for honors. The National level matches of the league and Knockout, will get under- grounds Narahenpita from Exciting prizes are on offer Championship will be held on way on February 12 (Friday). The tour- nament will continue till February 13 8.30 a.m. onwards. for the teams contesting the February 27 and 28 at Davisamara (Saturday) at the Colombo Colts CAB was formed in 2008, tournament. School Grounds Seeduwa. The teams Cricket Club grounds. The two finals with the objective of enhanc- The Transnational Group that secure 1st and 2nd places in the will be played at the same venue on ing the knowledge of of Companies and their Sri Provincial matches will qualify to play February 20 (Saturday). Bankers as well as to promote Imithiyas Ismail (Managing Director, Pronto Lanka (Pvt) Ltd and Iron Lankan representatives in the National level matches. Premier League winner, Sampath goodwill, understanding and Mountain (Pvt) Ltd hands over the sponsorship documents to Halin –Pronto Lanka (Pvt) Ltd and The grand finals of the Bank will take on HNB in the first Hettigoda (President, Clearing Association of Bankers) at a media briefing game on Friday morning, followed by fellowship among them. Iron Mountain (Pvt) Ltd have Championship will be held on March held recently in connection with the tournament. Lester Hannibal (Umpires the second game between Seylan Bank 13 at the Indoor stadium of National Most Commercial banks Association), Isuru Jayaweera (Project Chairman), Kenneth Nugegoda (Vice come forward to sponsor the and John Keells in the afternoon. operating in Sri Lanka and first tournament. (MP) Youth Council, Maharagama. On Saturday, the semi finals will President, CAB), K.Balachandran (Secretary, CAB) are also present. be worked off where Knock-out win- ner, Janashakthi (receiving a bye) will meet the winner of Sampath Bank/ HNB in the morning and knock-out runners –up, Unichela (receiving a bye ) will meet the winner Irish title chances get test at France of Seylan / John Keells in the after- noon. well organized, they know when Warren Gatland largely kept The finals scheduled for February by Stuart Condie to slow the play down, so we will faith with his players. He only 14 had to be postponed to February 20, have to bring more width to our due to Sri Lanka Cricket’s Inter- LONDON (AP) - Ireland needs brought in Jonathan Thomas at to improve quickly if it is to game.” lock for Luke Charteris and Provincial matches. Ireland beat France 30-21 The play off for the 3rd place keep its Six Nations title defense Leigh Halfpenny for Tom James on track at France this weekend. last year on its way to winning on the wing. between the losing semi-finalists will the Grand Slam. While England goes to Italy England finally found its try be worked off in the morning, followed Possibly the most intriguing by the main final in the afternoon. as it aims to build on last week’s scoring form against Wales and opening victory, Ireland has the clash will be in midfield, where In the inaugural tournament which should be even stronger in that toughest possible game to follow giant center Mathieu was played at the MCA grounds in department with last season’s its uninspiring 29-11 win over Bastareaud, who scored both 2004, HNB met Janashakthi in the rain France’s tries against the Scots, leading try scorer, Riki Flutey, hit final. In the “bowl out” contest, the Italians. France was already tourna- will be up against O’Driscoll. back in the starting lineup after HNB beat Janashakthi 1-Nil, Farveez Scotland just couldn’t get its recovering from injury. Maharoof managing to hit the single ment favorite before blowing attacking game going against a Flutey replaces Toby Flood stump in his second attempt. away Scotland in its first match fierce French defense and could at inside center but much could HNB was led by Russell Arnold and with a dominant first-half per- formance at Murrayfield. find itself under severe pressure hinge on how Dan Cole fares in Janashakthi by Ranga Dias, who was Saturday against a Wales side adjudged as the man-of-the-tourna- “We’ll get better as the com- his first start at tighthead prop. petition goes on but there’s plen- stung by its 30-17 loss at The 22-year-old Leicester ment. England. ty to improve on,” Ireland cap- player made his debut as a sec- This is the very first time that the Wales was undone by the tain Brian O’Driscoll said. “Our ond-half replacement for David MCA has conducted three tourna- yellow card given lock Alun- ments, exclusively for their Premier ability to create fast ruck ball is Wilson last week but is now up the winning and losing of Wyn Jones for tripping, with teams – The League, The Knock-Out England scoring 17 points while against one of the toughest and the T-20. games against sides like France. “We need to work on that.” it had a man advantage. scrums in world rugby. The league and the knock-out were “We have got to cut the “I thought he was impres- sponsored by Singer. The T-20 will be Ireland eased into a 23-3 lead over Italy but was unable to errors in our game, because we sive when he played last week contested for the MCA President’s Cup. know when we are accurate we and the way he has handled this The solitary special award offered will stamp its dominance on the match. are a very good side,” Wales fly- week,” team manager Martin be for the man-of-the –final. half Stephen Jones said. “We The morning matches will com- But coach Declan Kidney Johnson said. “We knew there resisted the temptation to have to give England credit was potential in him.” mence at 10.00 am and the afternoon because they played well, but matches at 2.00 pm on all three days. change a winning lineup and Johnson has delayed nam- will give the players who went the problem from our perspec- ing his bench until Friday (Media Release) tive was that we took so much unbeaten through 2009 another because of injury and illness away from our own game just chance. concerns. Captain Steve Keith Earls replaces Andrew from our own inaccuracies.” Borthwick is expected to start Junior (U-19) Inter League Championship Trimble on the wing at Stade de A 15-man Wales side in good even though he has missed two France on Saturday, with form should be too strong for a Kalutara, Gampola Trimble dropping to the bench competitive but limited Scottish days’ training because of ill- because of a minor hamstring team. ness. problem. Like Kidney, Wales coach clash in football final There could be another change if flanker Stephen Kalutara Football League will meet Ferris recovers from the knee Gampola Football League in the finals injury that kept him out of the Pakistan to play cricket of the Junior (Under 19) Inter League match against Italy. Football Championship which will be Ronan O’Gara has recovered worked off on February 14 at 3.30 p.m. from a leg injury that forced in US later this year at Vernon Fernando Stadium, him off the field against Italy and will continue at flyhalf, with Kalutara. ISLAMABAD (AP) - The Pakistan cricket team is plan- Jonathan Sexton on the bench. The tournament attracted entries France is protecting a 10- ning to tour the United States later this year. from thirty four League teams, in the year unbeaten record at home Ireland’s Brian O’ Driscoll, left, is tackled by Italy’s Josh Sole in the Six Nations The decision was made during a meeting of the Pakistan country. against Ireland and looks to be rugby union international match at Croke Park, Dublin, Ireland, Cricket Board and United States of America Cricket The champion team will receive the the biggest obstacle to the visi- (AP Photo/Peter Morrison) Association officials in Dubai, the PCB said in a statement Champions Trophy along with a cash tors’ attempts to defend its first Thursday. team, with the exception of the Malzieu on the left wing because award of Rs.50,000 plus medals. The Grand Slam since 1948. The USACA delegation was led by its chief executive offi- two injured wingers,” coach of his better kicking game. Runner up team will receive a trophy France brought in wingers cer Donald Lockerbie while Ijaz Butt, the PCB chairman, and Vincent Clerc and Alexis Marc Lievremont said “Considering the kicking with a cash prize worth Rs.25,000 and Wednesday. “The pack gave us game the Irish have, his left foot its chief operating officer Wasim Bari represented Pakistan. Palisson for the injured The dates and types of matches to be played for the series medals. Aurelien Rougerie and great satisfaction, the front five can help us clear our lines,” has not yet been agreed, “but assurances were made by both Rohitha Abeygunawardena, Benjamin Fall in the only were extremely good.” Lievremont said. “We need more Minister of Nation Building and State changes to the side that beat Lievremont preferred the 22- variety in our game, more terri- parties that a long term agreement to play in the USA will Infrastructure Development, will be the Scotland 18-9. year-old Palisson - with one try torial kicking. We must adapt to begin with a series later in 2010.” from five appearances - to Julien the Irish defense, they are very Chief Guest at the finals. (MP) “You don’t change a winning