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Will rain save England?

If only Muralitharan can bowl from both ends! 

Is it bye forever to HK Sevens?

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Butcher - Test cricketer and band leader

Mark Butcher, the rugged Surrey left-hand batsman who made the first three figure score for England in the recent tour and played a charmed though resolute knock, making the first-half century for the tourists in this Test series in the first innings of the First Test, comes from a family of rich cricketing traditions. His father Alan Raymond too was a left-hand batsman and played for the same county, Surrey, from 1972 to 1983 while Mark’s uncles Martin Simon (Surrey) and Ian Paul (Leicestershire) also played first-class cricket.

However, Mark has another claim for fame, this time, in the world of music. Leading his own band where he specializes in vocals and electric guitar, they performed during the recent PCA awards ceremony at the Royal Albert Hall. Also, he was mainly responsible for releasing a CD ‘you’re never gone’ by the Ben Hollioake Tribute Band in memory of his friend Ben Hollioake who died in a tragic motor accident in Australia.

Mahinda Wijesinghe

Sri Lanka lose all their games

By Hishan Welmilla reporting from Dubai

Sri Lanka had no luck in the Dubai Sevens Rugby Tourament as they lost their matches. But in the opening game against France, it was a surprise to see the Lankans holding on to the mighty French side during the first half and only allowing two occasions for them to score.

Mratial Molinier made the first break for France in the game and Oliver Toulouze added the extra points. Then again Molinier ran 90 meters to score his second try and Toulouze added the extra points to read 14-0 in France’ favour. France scored 4 goals in the second half to win the game by 42-7.

The top seeds England were never challenged by the Lankans and cruised through the game quite convincingly by 75 (10 goals, 1 try) to nil.

Sri Lanka held on to strong Morocco resistance in the first half and went on to score the first try. Morocco stormed in to the game before the short whistle with a try from Rachid Ouabdelmalek which was converted to read the score 7-all.

Sri Lanka missed several opportunities to score against Morocco in the second half but Morocco capitalized on those and went on to score two tries with one conversion to take the game away from Lankans. Morocco recorded their first win in the tournament by beating Sri Lanka 19 (2 goals, 01 try)-7 (1 goal).

Uganda’s Allan Musoke crossed the line to put his team on the board with unsuccessful conversion Ronnie Lutakome. Soon after Sri Lanka responded  with a fine move by Amjad Buksh which paved the way to Pradeep Liyanage to level the score 5-5. Amjad Buksh added the extra points with a sensational kick and Lankans were leading 12-7 in the 5th minute of the first half. But Uganda regained their position with another try by Allan Musoke and this time Ronnie Lutakome made no mistake in converting to a goal. Uganda took the lead 12-7 at the half way mark. And went on to win 38 (4goals, 2tries) to 14 (2goals) in their favour.

Zambia proved a point in the Dubai Rugby Sevens that they are capable of becoming serious contenders on the 7s circuit when they qualified to play in the Shield finals beating Sri Lanka 17-12 at the semi finals.

JPSA earmarks Hikkaduwa for permanency

THE Japanese Professional Surfing Association has vowed to permanently anchor one of its popular annual events in the waters of Hikkaduwa. Following the successful staging of the final of JPSA’s Long Board series in Hikkaduwa last month, both its chairman, Shinzo Tanuma, and executive chairman, Tadashi Kawaminami, have promised to make the event an annual feature in the popular southern holiday resort.

“We were delighted with the way SriLankan Airlines put together our Long Board event — the organization was excellent, and our surfers found the Hikkaduwa waves ideal for surfing. We will come back to Sri Lanka, hopefully, in greater numbers next year­_ and are firm in our intention to have Hikkaduwa as a permanent event of the series,” said Tanuma.

The JPSA’s last Long Board series was made up of four events with the Sri Lanka leg being the only one staged overseas. The other three were surfed off the shores of Japan. Sri Lanka was the chosen foreign venue after the JPSA tried out the Hikkaduwa seas in 2001, bringing 38 surfers. “Obviously they were happy with the waters and the ground organization in 2001 and decided to bring the event here in 2002. Eighty Japanese surfers were scheduled to come, but unfortunately security fears following the Bali bombing forced a cancellation,” said Kaushal Seneviratne, SriLankan Airlines manager in Japan. “But the 2002 cancellation didn’t mean they had forgotten Hikkaduwa; they made it this year.”

And in greater numbers: 113 surfers, including the top 16 ranked professionals in Japan, accompanied by a team of officials and four journalists. Designating the Sri Lanka event as the 2003 series final evoked greater interest as it meant Hikkaduwa would decide the final yearend rankings. Yoshinomi Matsuyana was adjudged champion surfer of the Hikkaduwa event and also took the top position of the 2003 rankings. The Rookie of the Year was Yujine Tiele. 

SriLankan Airlines put up the prize money, totalling 3 million yen, as well as flying out a team of JPSA officials. The national carrier also footed the bill for laying out the ground requirements.The returns to the country’s tourist industry, however, have made it a worthwhile investment. The 113 participants paid their own way here. And also bore all of their expenses, including accommodation, during the weeklong stay.

With 700-800 recreational Japanese surfers annually visiting Sri Lanka, the imminent naming of Hikkaduwa as the only permanent overseas venue for the four-event Long Board series, the potential to enhance the numbers of surfer-tourists will no doubt improve. Last month’s event in Hikkaduwa earned positive publicity in more than a few surfing magazines in Japan, according to Kaushal Seneviratne.

Kelani Paper Felicitates Waidyatilaka

The employees of Kelani Paper Converters Ltd., recently felicitated the Managing Director, P.H.D. Waidyatilaka for bringing honour and glory to Mother Lanka and in turn to Kelani Papaer Converters Ltd., in the field of athletics.

At the reception held in the company premises, the accountant Karunadasa Opatha stated that Waidyatilaka is the only Sri Lankan appointed as an IAAF lecturer and an international technical official by the world governing body for athletics.

In July 2003, at the General Assembly of World Masters Athletics held in Puerto Rico Waidyatilaka was elected uncontested as a member of the Stadia Committee. He yet again brought honour to Sri Lanka officiating as the International Technical Official at the World Athletics Championships held in Paris in August 2003, disqualified a world class athlete from the U.S.A. in the 100m event and stood firm by his decision despite prolong protests by the athlete who disrupted the proceedings for almost an hour.

Bens rugby wing

The past rugby players of ST.BENEDICTS College Colombo 13 with a view to playing  a dominant role in the schools rugby arena have come forward to uplift the alma mater’s rugby standard red. They have established was rugby wing to this effect. The wing consists of past captains, players and other true-blooded Benedictines who have pledged to boost college rugby.

Past cricketer Ranjith Fernando who incidentally was the first rugby captain in1963, Faisal Dole, college director Rev. Bro.Granville Fernando have taken on the role of honorary

advisors to guide and direct the wing.  

 The wing would appreciate any and all support. Any old boy could lend to the wing in this regard.

If you wish to help out please contact spokesperson of the wing, Valentine Fernando whose number is 2458101.

One of the objectives of the wing is to collect the history of college rugby.

If any Ben has records, please come forward. Please contact either Valentine Fernando or

Sehan Soyza on 5519195 or 5529195. Past captains are also requested to furnish their team cards, photos and articles to persons listed. The wing plans to put up a

 board containing the names of the past captains in Old Bens Sports Club premises.

The following office bearers were elected on 27 August:-

President: P.A.Gordan, Vice presidents: Rimantha Goonesekra, Mevan Rajeewa, Secretary: Ashley Fernando, Assistant Sec: D. Fernando, Treasurer: Rajith Jayasekera, Assistant Treasuer: Sehan Soyza, Committee members: Valentine Fernando, Manoj Prince, Shanka Boparachchi, M. Hussein, S. Wijerathne, Ranjith Rodrigo, S. Mohan, R. Sahabandu, M. Wettawe.

England cricketers at  Victoria

The England cricketers will visit the most picturesque golf course in Sri Lanka, the Victoria Golf and Country Resort today.

They intend to relax and indulge themselves in a game of golf before the commencement of the second Test at  Asgiriya on December 10.

The Cricketers are eager to experience the thrill and the excitement of playing on one of the 100 most beautiful golf courses in the world, designed by the renowned architect, Donald Steel.

A number of the English cricketers who have played on this course during their last tour of Sri Lanka were enthralled by the scenic backdrop of hills and lakes that surrounds the Victoria golf course.

Tomorrow, the Poya day the English media that includes the past renowned cricketers of the calibre of Ian Botham, David Lloyd, Fill Tuffnel, Michael Atherton, Tony Greig and Paul Allot will grace the Victoria Golf club also to relax and enjoy a game of golf.

Brian Thomas’ MTV sports special

England tour of Sri Lanka and the turning point hosted by premier sports caster Brian Thomas, on MTV News 9 p.m., a fantastic concept that brings outside stories, views, exclusive interviews is very informative to the cricket crazy public in Sri lanka.

The England cricket team who will be at the victoria Golf and country Resort in Digana today to enjoy a game of golf on one of the 100 most beautiful golf courses in the world would also be featured on this MTV special sports segment.