•  Caltex Rugby 2004...

Reds sink the sailors

By Ranil Prematilake

CR & FC had the sailors at sea at Longden Place on Friday in recording an impressive 77 points to 15 victory. At the short whistle of referee Dilroy Fernando, the hosts were leading 41-nil.

Navy sans foreign muscle had to backpeddle for a major part of the game. However, they came back strongly to plant three unconverted tries in the latter stages to salvage some pride.

CR's young Samoan recruit Kirisome Legonaitaga crossed the line twice. The 116 kg centre three - quarter used sheer brute force to pierce the defences rather than the expected swift moves. Also scoring two tries apiece was M.J. Mushtaq the wing three-quarter and Naufer Rahim who came in for Zulki Hameed late in the game. Zulki touched down once in the first half.

Experienced Asanga Rodrigo occupying a winger's slot went on a scoring spree. Asanga scored 4 tries and added the extra points for three. However, an attacking player by nature Asanga's defensive skills were hardly tested by the opponents. Second row forwards Roshan Perera and Imesh Wijewardena and Keynan centre Denis Mwaenja scored one try apiece for the winners.

CR forwards ably led by the No. 8 Savantha De Saram played tirelessly in feeding the threes with plenty of good ball. The Red Shirts, however, wasted much of it by tending to run sideways. Veteran hooker Viraj Prawanna's comeback gave a clear indication of the mapping out of a serious challenge for top honours by the Longden Place club this season. On the bench was skipper Pavithra Fernando marshalling his troop from the sidelines. Also missing was Kishan Musafer and Dilan Abeygunawardena, two key back division figures.

For Navy the tries were scored by Sumedha Malewana, Ravi Jayasuriya and E.M.R. Silva. Flank forward Ravi Jayasuriya had a brilliant game. Sadly his exploits did not bring about the desired results. A lone battle it was for a lost cause.

The final scoreline would have been wider had the CR threes paid a little more attention on their basic ball handling skills. As one would say, its still too early in the season to master the coordination factor between the threes and the forwards. They are still gaining momentum.

The administrators are happy with the progress. Its evident that the Red Shirts are gearing up for the Kandyan challenge. As a former captain and a senior player commented last season, all CR needs is a quality centre three quarter to take their archrivals on equal footing. The good news is that there is not going to be any cakewalk this season.

At the Park, Havelocks Sports Club had to huff and puff to beat the less fancied Old Zahirians Sports Club by 33 points to 15. Havies who suffered a surprise loss at the hands of the law enforcement officers last week seems to be in a spot of bother despite having two foreigners in their ranks.

The park club is being led by Miskin Deen this season. Although Havies were expected to score a resounding win, the gutsy Old Zahirians put up a brave show.

Streak and company condemned as agitators 

By Peter Roebuck 

Zimbabwean cricket is engaged in a fight upon whose outcome depends the future of the game in that country. Every device has been used by those running the game to put the striking players in the worst possible light. Whenever cricket falls into the hands of cynics and opportunists it suffers. Followers of the game can only hope that toleration returns to high office in Zimbabwe because without it cricket will die upon its feet.

Heath Streak and company have been condemned as agitators. It is a convenient description used by officials anxious to excuse their own high-handed conduct.. Streak has made some mistakes. He wanted to remove bad influences from the board and selection committee and went about it in a roundabout way. His letter was a tactical error because it could be used against him.

Rather than making demands the long-suffering former captain should have presented facts confirming that destructive forces are loose at the selection table and that white players are not wanted. He should have supported his case with instances of unacceptable behaviour by appointed officials. Rather than threatening his Board he should have challenged it. Instead he allowed his board to intimate that he was the aggressor in the dispute whereas he had merely been unable any longer to hold his tongue .

Although his tactics were poor, the points made by Streak demanded the closest attention from anyone concerned about the health of the game around the world. After all  he did not stand alone or seek any advancement. Moreover, fourteen team-mates risking their careers in a cause they believe is just. Never in its long history has cricket known a rebellion as impressive.  By arrogantly putting the players in their supposed place the ZCU showed contempt for them and the game itself.

Neither the ICC nor Players Associations around the world can ignore the cry for help from Zimbabwe's leading cricketers.  The ICC is duty bound to insist upon proper governance in member countries After all it did not ignore unsubstantiated and irrelevant allegations made by Sri Lankan officials about Chris Broad's social life. Not until the SLCB stops playing to the gallery and starts following due procedures will it be taken seriously in high places.

Likewise the ICC must not tolerate prejudice or the pursuit of political agendas in any of its constituent parts. Zimbabwean cricket condemned itself and alienated sympathisers with its refusal to look at the substance of the claims made by a faithful servant. Instead it tried to assert its authority. It was not a pretty sight.

Nor can cricketers around the world allow their brothers in Zimbabwe to bear the brunt of racism in the game. These events confirm the need for players everywhere to form themselves into united and disciplined bodies . Streak acted alone because the players union was weak. Sri Lankan cricketers should take note. Sooner or later players in every country have to stand up for themselves. Cricket is only worth playing when it recognises the principles of justice.

Plainly the Zimbabwean players left it too late to make their move.. Years ago it was obvious that cricket was sooner or later bound to be affected by the forces loose in that beautiful embattled land. Strong action was needed so that cricket retained its independence and was answered to a higher force than a tyrant whose time was up a decade ago.

Cricket cannot allow this ruination of the game to continue. After all it is a cosmopolitan game not the plaything of prejudice. Rightly sportsman are reluctant to embroil themselves in the affairs of another country for there is no beginning and no end in that. Nor should cricket be used as a weapon by politicians unwilling to take any steps that might inconvenience themselves. But this dispute had moved beyond politics and into the heart of the game

Cricket officials must impress upon the Zimbabweans that they will lose Test status and funding unless a plan can be produced that encourages emerging players from the black tribes without rejecting friends and colleagues from the anglo-saxon community. Anything less and ZCU should be isolated as South African cricket was isolated when it fell foul of a racist regime.

•  Chivas Regal Monthlv Medal

Priath - hole in 1 at Victoria 

The ball boy shouted with joy and waved frantically from the 12th hole when the ball rolled in, as it created a historical moment in the tournament and brought something to celebrate for Tony, Chris & Priath who were otherwise having a horrid round of golf. To many golfers a hole in one is just a dream, but to Priath Fernando he seems to be making a habit of it. For the second time he shot a hole in one at the Victoria Golf Course in Kandy and this time at the Chivas Regal monthly medal.

All this took place on the lush greens, with bright sunshine and the cool breeze making up the ideal setting for a competitive day of golf. These conditions proved to be fantastic for the Chivas Regal Monthly Medal that was worked off at the Victoria Golf & Country Resort in Kandy on 24 April with over 50 participants battling it out for the Chivas Regal trophies that were up for grabs.

Once again it was an encouraging sight to see so many enthusiastic golfers participating in the tournament. With other golfing activities going on in Colombo and Nuwara Ellya, Victoria golf and country club was able to attract many players for the tournament. Once again there were over 50 participants at the Chivas Regal April monthly medal tournament.

Peter Bright, who scored an impressive nett67, established the lead in till late ,morning. Ananda Manawadu with some excellent putting and drives took the lead and stayed there with an excellent nett6s. Sirath Kasturiratne Nett68 held on to collect the 2nd runner up award in the men's category.

The ladies too came out with some very competitive and challenging performance with the winners Suven Selvaratnam and runners up Anusha Senadhira both ending with a nett70 being decided on a count back. Roshini Sangani with a Nett73 came in as second runner-up.

The juniors playing for the Periceyl trophies also put up a good competitive game of golf. Here too the winner Binupa Wijesinghe and runner up Sampath Hemachandra both ending on a nett6g were decided on a count back.

Overall results of the Chivas Regal Monthly Medal are as follows

Gents Division

Winner: Ananda Manawadu Nett6s, 1st Runner Up: Peter Bright Nett67, 2nd Runner Up: Sirath Kasturiratne Nett68

Ladies Division

Winner: Suven Selvaratnam Nett70 on a count back, 1st Runner Up: Anusha Senadhira Nett70, 2nd Runner Up: Roshini Sangani Nett73,

Junior Division

Winner: Binupa Wijesinghe Nett6g on a count back, 1st Runner Up: Sampath Hemachandra Nett6g, 2 nd Runner Up: Sidath Hemachndra Nett71

Special Prizes

Hole in 1 Priath Fernando

Best Gross Score on par 3 holes (4,7,12,16) - Gents Priath Fernando

Best Gross Score on par 3 holes (4,7,12,16) - Women Suven Selvaratnam & Yvonne Abhayaratne

A competitive day of golf came to an end with the presentation of awards that was followed with a Chivas Regal cocktail party. James Maxwell, the marketing manager of Pernod-Ricard gulf was present at the medal round and participated in the tournament. The Chivas Regal Monthly Medal was sponsored by Periceyl (Pvt) Ltd, a joint venture company between Group Pernod Ricard France and Distilleries Company of Sri Lanka in collaboration with the Victoria Golf & Country Resort Kandy.

•  RCGG celebrates 125 years...

Pin Fernando Trophy top billing 

By Gamini Senadhira 

Royal Colombo Golf Club will be celebrating its 125 years in existence in grand style from July this year. Many  prestigious tournaments are lined up to commemorate this anniversary and Pin Fernando Trophy, one of the few board events sponsored by Untied Tractor Equipment Ltd., takes top billing. This much looked forward to event inaugurated in 1979, the centenary year of the RCGC was first won by Senaka Senanayaka and Methun Perera, the son of Nandasena Perera clinched the Pin Fernando Trophy last year.

This incidently is the fourth consecutive year that the Untied Tractor Equipment Ltd has come in as the sponsor for this prestigious tournament.

Pin Fernando family absolutely needs no introduction to the golfing circle not only in Sri Lanka but also in other nations where golf is a popular sport.

Four generations of the Fernando family had showed their prowess at the RCGC. Late Pin, the kingpin of the Fernando's had won the national title for a record 13 times and also became the first Asian to clinch the All India championship twice.

Wife Pam and daughter Teru, without question were the best women golfers that Sri Lanka has yet produced. Pam in addition, have won the national championship five times, got her name engraved in the guinness Book of records as the oldest woman to win a national title. She was 57 years when she achieved glorious feat. Tiru emulating her father and mother dominated not only the women's golf arena in Sri Lanka but she was also a renowned lady golfer in the international scene too and went on to be the very first Lankan professional golfer.

Tiru won the national crown four times, all India title four times and had won the Thailand, Hong Kong, Indonesia and Malaysia championships as well.

Druki, the eldest daughter, though not playing at national level, had showed her ability in wielding the golf club at junior level.

Priath, the only son yet is a popular figure in the golf circle. He was the runner-up in a couple of national championships and still plays golf seriously competing in all the major tournaments.

The golf fans will be happy to hear the return of Tiru to the golf arena after a long lapse. After being a professional for 11 years Tiru will gain only amateur status in her reentry to the golf course. One also would be happy to find out what this renowned golfing family's involvements are currently.

Pam is in the process of writing the history of RCGC that will come in handy with the club's 125 years celebrations, Druki is a social worker, helping families of soldiers missing in action. Tiru, is a pastor at Zion Christian Community Centre very much involved in church activities with her husband John Jesudasan. Priath is the chairman of the Untied Tractor Equipment Ltd., and he is also the secretary of the Golf Union and a director of the Victoria Golf Club in Kandy.

Anil Gunawardana wins Lipton Cup 

Anil Gunawardana, crewed for by his wife Michelle, was the winner of the Lipton Cup sailing regatta held at the Ceylon Motor Yacht Club (CMYC) at Bolgoda last Sunday, 18 April. Sailing a GP-14 class boat, Gunawardana beat a fleet of 20 boats of the GP-14, Enterprise and Laser classes drawn from the CMYC and Navy Sailing Club to clinch the race, which was an open event.

Joseph Kenny, crewed for by Pramukshi Kariyawasam was first runner up (also in a GP-14), while W.P.K. Janaka, crewed for by T.T.B. Kodithuwakku, both representing the Navy Sailing Club came in third.

The Lipton Cup event was preceded by the junior under 15 Optimists Class race, in which a total of 15 boats participated. Akshan Jirasinghe (St Thomas Prep) won the closely-contested race, with Devin Goonewardena (Stafford International) finishing second, followed by Oshan Weerasinghe (Royal College) in third place.

Addressing the gathering at the prize giving that followed the event, CMYC Commodore Joseph Kenny thanked Unilever, Managing Director- Tea Division David Smyth and his team for Lipton's generous sponsorship of the event. He went on to remind those present that Sir Thomas Lipton himself had sailed for the Americas Cup, the world's most prestigious yachting event, no less than five times. An avid sailor, Lipton not only sponsored trophies in Sri Lanka, but also in the U.S. Sir Thomas Lipton Challenge Cup, which for the past 91 years has been sailed for in the Pacific Ocean, from San Diego.

An interesting feature of the Sri Lanka event last Sunday was that Anil Gunawardana's winning GP-14 was built to international specifications entirely in Sri Lanka, by the workshop of the CMYC, showing that the country is capable of producing world-class boats. The majority of other boats that participated in the event were built in the U.K.