Sports
Did Petes find their lost identity at rugby?
By A Special Correspondent
Rugby at St. Peter’s has been feared for during the last decade or more for the reasons that the school’s rugby team can produce winners and also create surprises on the field.
They did just that last Friday (September 16) when they beat giant killers and runners-up at the League and President’s Trophy Knockout tournaments St. Joseph’s in their traditional rugby encounter played for the Rev Fr Basil Wiratunga Shield at Havelock Park.
The win for St. Peter’s might look nothing much to celebrate for outsiders who know little about rugby this season at the Bambalapitiya school. This team had just one victory this season (Against Dharmaraja in the league) before the match against Joes. The losses they suffered at the hands of many of their opponents left them ‘bleeding’ throughout the several months of training; where the boys were made to sweat and workout in a professional coaching environment. But still, there was hope to keep their heads held straight throughout the season without succumbing to the pressures building around them. Many believe that this was possible due to the strong Christian background in which education and sports are pursued at this academic institute. Praying before a game and during the day has enabled the boys to keep the grey matter inside the boys’ brains in functioning mode; especially at a time when outsiders gave up hope on these rugby players.
When the league tournament was nearing an end an opportunity arose for the Peterites to book a slot among the quarter-finalists for the President’s Trophy knockout tournament because two top teams pulled out of the running. But then came the second blow to the team. This came in the form of running into trouble for fielding in the side a player not eligible to represent the school at sports. There is speculation that the Peterite rugby team now runs the risk of being demoted to a lower segment of the tournament text season regarding the issue of fielding in the side this player who has stirred some controversy. However, the Peterite authorities have denied all allegations levelled against this player.
The Peterite side was not a weak one and gave a run to most of their opponents during the league season and even produce a draw against Wesley and went down fighting to S.Thomas’ College; the latter fixture being a traditional friendly. The side however showed that they had to work on line-outs and even passing skills among the players were not up to the level of First XV rugby.
But there was a transformation in the side at the match against the Joes. The Peterites as a whole showed no mercy to their opponents when tackling and displayed the guts of a burglar when confronted by obstacles. There were some casualties as a result, but the message was clear; the boys were in the mood to do or die.
The Peterites played good rugby at times, but they learned the hard way this season that other teams had made giant strides in the sport of rugby union (pix by Kamal Wanniarachchi)
It was their last chance to prove their existence in school rugby this season. They were sure standing on thin ice. A loss against the Joes meant the circumstances would have swallowed them up. Coach Sanath Martis it seemed had worked on defence. The Joes’ big man, that brute of a hulk and the regular match winner Navin Marasinghe found it hard to run at will. For him, it was like running on a field laced with glue. But still, the first half produced a battering for the Peteries. The Josephians produced three tries which came through the efforts of Vihanga Randeepa, Vishika Fernando and Sachinthana Vidayanatha. The Peterites responded with a penalty in the first half and when the two sides went into halftime, surprisingly the mood in the Peterite camp was not damp at all.
Great martial artist and philosopher Bruce Lee once said that calmness is a great weapon; especially during adversity. And Coach Martis had it and showed it. What he told at the little chit chat he had with the boys at ‘lemons’ we don’t know, but it certainly worked. Martis knows the value of making it in life after a struggle. He exudes the message that ‘nothing is easy before it’s hard’. Leave alone the fact that it is not easy at all for players to satisfy him through even the best of performances. This performance by the boys probably brought drops of tear to his eyes, but a taskmaster and coach in the calibre of Martis might not show it. He has both a soft and a hard side to his character, but when the soft side is shown in a moment of a flash akin to lightning it’s beautiful. Only the alert ones might observe this.
The second half produced thunder. The game changed so dramatically and the Peterites came into the game showing the attitude of a street-smart kid. They scored their first try off the efforts of Pasindu Thakshila. The game was later stopped when the referee had to supervise the removal of an injured player and the entrance to the field of replacements. Martis seized the opportunity and was seen talking to the boys from the touchlines. He ‘probably’ spelt out to the boys to adopt a kick and chase tactic; probably sensing that the Joes would wilt under the pressure of the high ball. Joes were never ready for this tactic. Sudesh Jayawickrema scored first through this method after chasing a high kick that bounced into Joes ‘22’. The next to score in a similar fashion was Yumeth Sihara. Petes took the lead 22-21, but the Joes grabbed it back with a penalty by Ruchika Rodrigo.
But Vindya De Mel dropped a peach of a goal from 25 metres out to seal the game just before the final whistle and hand the Peterites victory.
The Peteries needed this win badly. Their rugby identity was at stake and the time till the next season arrives would have been like travelling inside a dark tunnel if not for winning the Rev. Fr. Basil Wiratunga Shield and taking it where the other silverware lies at the school’s trophy cupboard. They needed something to hold on to. The boys were seen posing with the shield and true enough there were photos taken from smartphones for posterity with the shield in hand. But what really gave them something to hold on to came in the form of finding self-worth which came through a collective team effort and a memorable victory.
Eshan Malinga returned career best figures of four for 46, but his impressive spell could not prevent Pakistan from breaching the 300 run mark in the curtain-raiser of the ODI tri-nation series in Rawalpindi on Sunday.
Pakistan were bowled out for 305, with former captain Salman Ali Agha leading the charge with his fourth ODI hundred.
Agha struck a fluent 107 off 90 deliveries, peppering the boundary with ten fours and a six before falling to Asitha Fernando. The Sri Lankan seamer was equally impressive, returning tidy figures of three for 39.
Agha featured in a 97 run partnership with Hasan Nawaz and at 215 for four with 13 overs remaining, Pakistan appeared poised for a formidable total. However, Sri Lanka’s bowlers clawed their way back into the contest, applying the brakes just when the hosts threatened to run away with the game.
On a surface tailor made for batting, Sri Lanka’s late fightback could prove crucial, with the visitors fancying their chances of chasing down the target.
Left-arm seamer Dilshan Madushanka finished with two for 67, although his figures flattered him somewhat. He was guilty of straying onto the pads far too often, offering the Pakistan batters several scoring opportunities.
Sri Lanka went into the contest with just four specialist bowlers, leaving the part timers to shoulder a fair share of the workload. To their credit, the makeshift attack rose to the occasion, sharing ten overs between three bowlers without allowing Pakistan to completely dictate terms.
Dasun Shanaka did the lion’s share of the work, sending down seven overs, while Sahan Arachchige and Kamindu Mendis chipped in with the remaining three.
Sri Lanka also welcomed back top order batter Avishka Fernando, who returned to the ODI fold after spending several years on the sidelines.
England are the third team in the tri-nation competition, which serves as valuable preparation for next year’s World Cup.
The opening three matches will be played in Rawalpindi before the tournament shifts to Lahore for the remaining fixtures, including the final.
Sri Lanka are in the midst of a marathon 50 day tour of Pakistan. Having already completed a three-match T20I series, they will turn their attention to the tri-nation tournament before playing a First Class warm-up fixture followed by two Tests.
19 Division I – Tier ‘A’ Cricket
by Reemus Fernando
The top eight teams begin their battle for the Under 19 Division I Tier ‘A’ limited-overs title today, when Mahinda College, Galle, take on St. Sebastian’s College, Moratuwa, in the first quarter-final at Dombagoda.
Led by Dulsith Dharshana, Mahinda qualified for the knockout stage with wins over St. Anthony’s College, Katugastota (by five wickets), Royal College, Colombo (by six wickets) and Lumbini (by ten wickets). Their only defeat came against St. Peter’s College, Bambalapitiya, the only side to top 200 against them. In their other matches, Mahinda’s bowlers kept opponents to low totals.
That bowling unit, spearheaded by left-arm paceman Sadew Nethmina, appears to have peaked ahead of the crucial clash. They bundled Lumbini out for 40 in their last match, with Nethmina and Vishmitha Sathsara sharing nine wickets between them.
St. Sebastian’s reached the knockout stage on the back of wins over Maris Stella College, Negombo, and D. S. Senanayake College, Colombo. Their match against Sri Sumangala College, Panadura, ended without a result because of rain, while they lost by two wickets to Richmond, the eventual group champions.
St. Sebastian’s boast a strong batting line-up, with Hirusha Perera, Navinu Fernando, Lashen Fernando, Thivanka Fernando and Meshone Ferdinando all making notable contributions in the group stage. Skipper Koshendra Fernando is expected to lead the bowling attack with his spin, supported by Adeesha Lakshan, Lashen Fernando and Risinu Prabesh.
Teams
Mahinda (from):
Dulsith Darshana (Captain), Sadew Nethmina (Vice Captain), Randula Mabarana, Manitha Rajapaksha, Sehas Ashinsa, Kaveesha Githmal, Thiyon Helika, Kavindu Nimsata, Gesandu Bisas, Vishmitha Sathsara, Buddhima Tharupathi, Naviru Nishitha, Nihindu Sesitha, Anuga Palliyaguru, Senuja Vehan, Kevin Geemitha, Bakshara Jayarathne.
Officials: Denuwan Rajakaruna (Head Coach), Sandaru Nethmina (Asst. Coach), Y. Nishantha Kumara (Master in Charge)
St. Sebastian’s (from): Koshendra Fernando (Captain), Meshone Ferdinando, Nisila Dimath, Navinu Fernando, Hirusha Lochana, Lashen Fernando, Thejan Bandara, Chamath Wellalage, Risinu Prabesh, Sanoj Perera, Deneth Keshara, Adeesha Lakshan, Dilena Fernando, Thiwanka Fernando, Shenas Hashein, Pathiv Vehan, Dineepa Wickramsooriya.
Officials:
Lahiru Kanishka (Head coach), Nishantha Fernando (Asst. Coach), Sandaru Tharusha Perera (Master in Charge)
The other three quarter finals will be played on Tuesday as per the below schedule.
Mahanama Colombo V St. Joseph’s Darley Road at Mattegoda
Nalanda Colombo V St. Anthony’s Katugastota at Campbell Place
Richmond Galle V Wesley Colombo at Weeraketiya
Several big names fell at the first hurdle, including last year’s finalists Royal College, Colombo, as well as S. Thomas’ College, Mount Lavinia, Trinity College, Kandy, and St. Peter’s College, Bambalapitiya. Royal and St. Peter’s were in the same group and finished behind Mahinda and St. Anthony’s. S. Thomas’ were in Group ‘A’, where Mahanama and Wesley edged out the rest to book their places.
by Reemus Fernando
Asian Junior Championship medallist Mihinsa Dewmini Abeyratne broke a ten-year-old meet record to win the Under 20 high jump at the All Island Schools Games Athletics Championship at Diyagama on Sunday.
The President’s College, Embilipitiya, athlete cleared 1.75 metres, equalling her personal best, to erase the record of Poornima Gunarathne of Leeds International, Panadura. Gunarathne’s mark of 1.74 metres had stood since 2016.
Trained by retired sports officer Gamini Dias, Mihinsa was expected to achieve something special this season after setting a personal best of 1.75 metres at the same venue earlier this year. She followed that with a bronze medal at the Asian Junior Championship in Hong Kong.
Hers was one of six meet records to fall by the time this report was filed on day three of the meet.
In the girls’ category, Lyceum International School, Wattala, and Ave Maria Convent, Negombo, set new marks in relay events. In a closely contested Under 14 4×100 metres final, Lyceum clocked 51.35 seconds to erase Musaeus College’s 2019 record. Ladies’ College, who finished second in 51.52, also bettered the previous mark.
Ave Maria Convent edged Nimala Maria Balika in another tight finish to win the Under 16 girls’ 4×100 metres in a new meet record of 49.49 seconds. Nimala Maria Balika also bettered the old record.
In the boys’ category, Sadeesh Denuwan of Halmillaketiya MV stole the limelight with a new meet record of 11.22 seconds in the Under 14 80 metres hurdles. Maneesha Samarasinghe of Lyceum International, Wattala, set a new record of 13.09 seconds in the Under 16 100 metres hurdles.
Lyceum International, Wattala, also set a new meet record of 3:13.76 in the Under 20 4×400 metres relay.
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