Connect with us

Sports

CH survive ‘yellow card drama’ to beat Police 18-12

Published

on

A CR & FC player (ball in hand) tries to break the defence line of Havelocks SC in the team’s division 1 Inter-Club league rugby tournament match which the former won 25-10 at Longden Place on Saturday (January 13) . (pic SLR Media)

by A Special Sports Correspondent

CH & FC survived giving away four yellow cards in their Division 1 Inter-Club League Rugby Tournament match against Police SC before pulling off a close 18-12 win at Race Course on Sunday (January 14).

This win was crucial for ‘Gymkhana’ Club because it is contesting to finish among the top four teams and play in the Cup Competition; which will have slots only for the top four teams in the points table. CH earned its points through three tries and one conversion; with all of the team’s points coming in the first half. CH’s first two yellow cards came in the 31st and 32nd minutes of play and Police capitalized on the 13-man advantage by earning a try through Hirantha Perera. CH had first half tries coming from Gihan Madusanka, Mohamed Absal and the third try coming off a forwards rush. CH’s Hirusha Nethmina slotted in a penalty in the first half to ensure his team led 18-7 at half time.

Police have only to blame themselves because they couldn’t make advantage of CH’s two other yellow cards which came in the 64th and 69th minutes of the second half. Police’s final try in the second half came before that ‘yellow card drama’ through the efforts of Mithun Hapugoda.

On Saturday CR & FC did pretty well to beat archrivals Havelocks SC by 25 points to 10 and clinch the Matthysz Trophy in their Division 1 Inter-Club league rugby tournament match played at Longden Place in front of an appreciative crowd.

The winners had to fight tooth and nail in the second half before restoring control of the game with a barrage of tries. CR produced four handsome tries in the second half through the efforts of Gemunu Chethiya, Manilka Ruberu, Kushan Indunil and Venura Kodagoda to make amends for their unsuccessful first half performance. Havelocks SC led 7-3 at half time through the efforts of a try coming from Udara Lakshan and the conversion coming right off the boot of Samuel Maduwantha.

CR’s marauding forwards were a bit too hot for the visiting Park Club side who simply outplayed their opponents using power and pace. It was heartening to see last season’s schoolboy rugby player Indunil jelling well with his experienced club mates and scoring a wonderful try. The last try by CR came through a forwards’ rush and hooker Kodagoda ( also a schoolboy prodigy from last season) found his way over the try line. Havelocks could manage just a penalty in the second half during which period they were forced to defend most of the time. The second penalty for Havies in the game came through Janith Chandimal; which was in the second half.

At Welisara, also on Saturday, Kandy SC made easy work of Navy SC before pulling off a comfortable 48 points to 7 win.

This result perhaps asks the question whether teams belonging to the forces can sustain the momentum they produce in the first half? Navy were in the game in the first session of play and restricted Kandy to three tries and earned one themselves. Kandy were slightly ahead of them (17-7) when the referee blew for half time. Navy’s first try in the game came off the efforts of Amith Madusanka while the conversion was well taken by Isuru Kongahawatte.

Kandy continued to gallop ahead of Navy in the second half after Lavanga Perera, Lasitha Attanagoda and Dhanushka Ranjan exploded in the first half with memorable touch downs. The second half tries for the winners came through Heshan de Silva, Heshan Jansen, Tharinda Ratwatte and K. Perera. The kicks at goal for Kandy were taken by Tharinda who chipped in with five conversions.

On Friday (January 12) Air Force did well to beat Army 17-14 at Ratmalana in a game that went to the wire. The winners collected their points through two tries, two conversions and a penalty while the losers responded with two converted tries.



Latest News

Tamim Iqbal elected new BCB president

Published

on

By

Tamim Iqbal attended a press conference after being appointed BCB president [Cricinfo]

Tamim Iqbal has been elected as the new BCB president following the elections held in Dhaka on Sunday. Tamim was the only candidate, and he will serve a four-year term in total, having already completed two months as the ad-hoc committee’s head.

The Bangladesh government called for BCB elections under the interim body in April, following the dissolution of the previous elected body under Aminul Islam.

The day-long election, including physical votes and e-ballots, were held at the Shere Bangla National Stadium, which is also the board headquarters. A total of 23 directors were elected in three categories and two government representatives were announced later to form the 25-member body.

Tamim is one of the most prominent cricketers to have played for Bangladesh, having appeared in 391 internationals across three formats. He led Bangladesh to 21 wins in 38 matches across formats, including the 2-1 ODI series against South Africa in 2022. After his international retirement in early 2025, Tamim continued to play domestic tournaments but a heart attack during a Dhaka Premier League match that year put an abrupt end to his playing career.

The election commission said 88 votes were cast to elect 23 directors in two out of the three categories. The first category includes all the divisions and districts of the country, the second is the Dhaka clubs that participate in the league system, while the third consists of former cricketers, captains, education boards and others. Tamim was one of twelve directors elected from the second category.

The new 25-member body held an election among themselves to choose the president and two vice-presidents. After Tamim was elected as board president, Fahim Sinha was elected as one of the two vice-presidents. The other vice-president hasn’t been selected.

The previous board elections were held on October 6 last year. Aminul was re-elected BCB president under controversial circumstqnces when Tamim, leading one of the panels, withdrew from the polls alleging Aminul of “bias and malpractice”.

Category 1 directors: Sayeed Bin Zaman, Abdullah Al Fuad, Minhajul Abedin, Moyeen Uddin Chowdhury, Shantanu Islam, Shafiqul Alam, Mizanur Rahman, Abdul Qayyum Chowdhury, Shakrul Alam, Faisal Amin

Category 2 directors: Tamim Iqbal, Fahim Sinha, Asif Rabbani, Israfil Khasru, Dr Sarkar Mahbub Ahmed, Masuduzzaman, Rafiqul Islam, Sakeef Ahmed, Shanian Taneem, Syed Ibrahim Ahmed, Yasir Abbas, Yasir Faisal

Category 3 director: Sirajuddin Alamgir.

Government representative directors: Ruhul Amin, Sarfaraz Ahmed

[Cricinfo]

Continue Reading

Latest News

West Indies look to level series in rainy Kingston

Published

on

By

Wanindu Hasaranga takes off after striking [Cricinfo]

With no play possible in the second ODI, both teams go into the third game well-rested. Perhaps this is a chance for the IPL returnees in particular to have caught their breath. The rain, though, may not have cleared in Kingston completely. According to the forecast, showers are likely in the afternoon and also possible in the evening, though there may be dry spells in between. There is a chance this will be a stop-start match in which DLS calculations come into play.

With a series win now beyond them, West Indies will be especially motivated to avoid being blanked at home. There is also the matter of their current 10th-placed ranking, which is not enough for them to gain automatic qualification for the 2027 World Cup (cut-off is end of March next year). They need every ranking point they can get over the next two months. Sri Lanka are slightly more comfortable, at sixth position, and about 12 points clear of the current cut-off. But they’ll want to build more of a cushion themselves.

In the first ODI, Sri Lanka’s dominance in the middle overs is what had won them the match. Maheesh Theekshana and Wanindu Hasaranga were economical on a helpful surface, where West Indies’ frontline spinner Gudakesh Motie had been hit out of the attack. And Sri Lanka’s top six also showed serious hustle, picking up the tempo and keeping the runs flowing after Sri Lanka had had a poor powerplay with the bat.

These remain two relatively evenly-matched teams, however. With a little more discipline from their bowlers, West Indies are capable of leveling the series.

Although his Test average remains outstanding, Kamindu Mendis is yet to find a home in limited-overs cricket. Partly this is because his batting is so versatile, coaches and selectors have tended to yank him up and down the order as the team’s needs evolve. So far in ODIs, he has done his best work at No. 7 and 8, but he has now been asked to open the innings alongside Pathum Nissanka. His first innings at the top of the order brought only 12, but Sri Lanka are unlikely to ditch the strategy after one game. Can batting in the powerplay be the change he needs to kick his white ball career into high gear?

Over a fledgling international career, Keacy Carty has demonstrated promise at No. 3, where he averages 45.18. What he doesn’t have, so far, however, is the kind of body of work a long-term No. 3 should ideally built. So far, he has two tons apiece against England and Ireland, but is yet to put up serious numbers against other oppositions. Runs against an attack of Sri Lanka’s quality would add to his confidence.

Rain will potentially dictate conditions on Monday. If there’s rain around, teams tend to prefer to chase. Not only do they prefer to be batting while DLS calculations are in play, but a wetter ball is also more difficult for bowlers to grip, particularly spinners.

West Indies may think about bringing Shimron Hetmyer into the XI to shake up the batting a little.

West Indies (possible): John Campbell, Justin Greaves,  Keacy Carty,  Shai Hope (capt.)(wk),  Shimron Hetmyer/Sherfane Rutherford,  Roston Chase, Matthew Forde,  Gudakesh Motie,  Alzarri Joseph, Shamar Joseph,  Jayden Seales

Sri Lanka may keep their winning XI, but with so many quicks to choose from, may be tempted to give Eshan Malinga a run, especially if it’s a shortened match.

Sri Lanka (possible): Pathum Nissanka,  Kamindu Mendis,  Kusal Mendis (capt.)(wk), Pavan Rathnayake, Charith Asalanka, Janith Liyanage,  Wanindu Hasaranga,  Milan Rathnayake,  Dushmantha Chameera,  Asitha Fernando/Eshan Malinga

[Cricinfo]

Continue Reading

Latest News

Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 warm-up: Kapp, Wolvaardt take SA past Ireland

Published

on

By

Laura Wolvaardt scored 65 off 37 balls (Cricinfo)

South Africa successfully defended 136 in an 18-over game against Ireland in the Women’s T20 World Cup warm-up fixture in Loughborough . The experienced Marizanne Kapp led the way with the ball, her 4 for 24 helping South Africa dismiss Ireland for 120 in 17.4 overs. Shabnim Ismail,  who had recently reversed her retirement, picked up 1 for 25 in her four overs.

Leah Paul was the only Ireland batter to pass 20 in their chase. Apart from Paul, only four Ireland batters got to double figures.

After South Africa were asked to bat first, they posted 136 for 8 on the back of captain Laura Wolvaardt’s 65 off 37 balls, including seven fours and three sixes.

SCORES:

South Africa Women   136 for 8 in 18 overs (Sune Luus 17, Laura Wolvaardt 65, Annerie Dercksen 26, Nadine de Klerk 11, Aimee Maguire 1-13,  Arlene Kelly 3-29, Cara Murray 2-13, Ava Canning 2-08) beat Ireland Women  120 in 17.4 overs   (Rebecca Stockel 19, Leah Paul 29, Alice Tector 17, Louise Little 13,  Arlene Kelly 15; Marizanne Kapp 4-24, Shabnim Ismail 1-25, Tumi  Sekhukhune 2-18, Nadine de Klerk 1-16, Nonkululeko Mlaba 1-25)   by 16 runs

(Crickinfo)

 

 

Continue Reading

Trending