Sports
A benchmark in rugby coaching and a trophy for Petes
By A Special Sports Correspondent
St. Peter’s College made amends for the restricted season in 2022 by bagging the 2023 Dialog-sponsored Inter-school Under 19 Fifteen-a-side League Rugby Tournament under the captaincy of Ashain Madugasge and the coaching of Sanath Martis. The Peterites, before this present winning spree, bagged the league tournament way back in 2010 under skipper Keith Gurusinghe. That year too, the Peterites were coached by Martis.
Last year the school from Bambalapitiya was penalised for fielding an ineligible player, but all that was sent into oblivion when they came back fighting and with a purpose this season to bag the all-important Dialog sponsored league plum with a smashing 28-17 win over Isipatana in a deciding game which was played at their own den on August 19 (Saturday). The game was deciding for St. Peter’s and not for Isipatana because Royal was the second-best side carrying both potential and accumulated points to finish as runners-up even before they kicked off their final game against St. Anthony’s. This game, played in Kandy, eventually went in favour of the boys from Reid Avenue. Isipatana finished third followed by St. Anthony’s Katugastota, which can take a bow for securing a top four finish this season.
The Peterites never created that hype to be title contenders despite an early season shocker in their maiden game for 2023 where they made Royal eat humble pie. Schools like Royal, Trinity and Isipatana saw their fixtures being lined up in such a manner that they were more in the limelight than St. Peter’s. The manner in which Royal and Trinity got mileage for their Bradby Shield encounter and the way in which the media hounded these two schools put the rest of the teams in the competition in a position of being less noticed. Isipatana could be an exception to this thinking, but the crowds that were present at Pallakele for the first leg of the Bradby Shield and for the return leg at Royal Sports Complex this year can dwarf the spectator presence at other important matches this season.
Veteran coach Sanath Martis is a person who is obsessed with result-oriented coaching and helped St. Peter’s strike gold this season. (Pix by Kamal Wanniarachchi)
But the Peterites pegged on during the season securing wins over Dharmaraja (34-7), Trinity (22-10), Zahira (56-7), Science (29-0), Vidyartha (66-10) before smashing the daylights out of St. Anthony’s (39-0) in the first Super Round fixture and later downing Isipatana. Apart from Martis being present on the field in his ‘ship captain’ like style mention must be made of assistant coaches Rajiv Perera and Banuka Nanayakkara for their contributions to the side. Skipper Madugasge will be remembered for leading this champion side which had in their ranks solid players in the likes of Vindya de Mel, Kushan Tharindu, Sudesh Jayawickreme, Dineth Ranasinghe and Yumeth Shihara to name a few.
Royal playing under lock forward Randul Senanayake did well to finish second in the points table. They were coached this season by Dushanth Lewke. Isipatana might not like the manner in which they finished the season because this was a side to watch this year with some incredible players in their ranks in the likes of skipper Nawin Kanishka, Shehandu de Costa, Shahid Zumri, Kalindu Silva, Heshan Randimal, T. Ranaweera, Chamindu Chirath and playmaker Rinesh Silva, who finished the season as the highest points scorer (89).
If one considers the coaches employed this season Martis once again underscored that little valued saying ‘old is gold’. This is an era where the young coaches in rugby are considered ‘laptop coaches’ and are hunting for strategies and information on the internet 24×7. If one takes coaches like Nawaz (S. Thomas’), Fazil Marija (Trinity), Srinath Sooriyabandara (St. Anthony’s ), Lewke and Saliya Kumara (Isipatana) they have played this game at a much higher level than Martis and have age and technology on their side. But this veteran coach marshaled his team in a manner that they maintained consistency and made it to a podium finish. This coaching maestro showed the younger rugby coaches that he still has it in him to see a side through a season and take his chargers to safe port when the season concludes.
This writer remembers the character ‘the old fisherman’ in Ernest Hemingway’s Nobel Prize-winning book ‘the old man and the sea’-first published in 1952 in England. The old man in that book makes one last voyage into the sea and makes a prized catch, but is defeated by the sharks out in the waters. The old man is obsessed with the word ‘luck’ and sees luck eluding him as the curtains come down on his career as a fisherman. Maybe Martis has a few more years to engage in coaching in a manner that people and players around him feel his presence. He can still make the opposite teams shake from their foundations with the way he thinks, coaches and produces results. He could still be the person out there who can set the benchmark for coaches who have made coaching their profession. He will bid adieu one day which is not far away in the future. And when he does he will make people ask “what will life be for Martis when he moves away from the oval-shaped ball, the green grassy fields and children who play rugby union”. This writer asks this question instead, ‘what would rugby coaching in Sri Lanka be without Martis’?
Daniel Munoz has fired Colombia into the World Cup round of 32 with a 1-0 win over the Democratic Republic of the Congo in Group K after goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi had threatened to turn the match into a night of frustration.
Munoz struck the winner from the right side of the penalty area in the 76th minute on Tuesday, finally beating Mpasi, who had repeatedly denied Colombia with an inspired performance.
Colombia, who opened their World Cup campaign with a 3-1 win over Uzbekistan, commanded possession and created numerous chances.
James Rodriguez, making his 10th World Cup appearance to equal the Colombian record jointly held by Freddy Rincon and Carlos Valderrama, forced Mpasi into action with a powerful strike in the 11th minute.
The goalkeeper stood firm, repelling efforts from Jhon Arias and winger Luis Diaz, who came close to breaking the deadlock in the 18th minute, controlling a chipped pass inside the penalty area, turning smartly, and firing a shot goal-wards, only for Mpasi to save it with his foot.
The African side, buoyed by their opening 1-1 deaw with Portugal, threatened sporadically through Edo Kayembe, Cedric Bakambu and Yoane Wissa, but lacked a clinical finish.
By half-time, Colombia had registered 15 shots, including six on target, with nine of their 10 outfield players attempting efforts.
In the stands, DR Congo had support from Michel Nkuka Mboladinga, the team’s famous “living statue” fan, who made his World Cup debut after missing the opener against Portugal because of Ebola quarantine requirements.
Colombia resumed on the front foot after the break, with Diaz forcing another fine save from Mpasi in the 51st minute before Arias dragged the rebound wide.
Wissa almost snatched the lead for DR Congo in the 73rd minute, when his shot from Simon Banza’s assist was blocked, but Colombia struck shortly after through Munoz.
Diaz later thought he had doubled the advantage with a finish into the top corner, only for the effort to be ruled out for offside.
Colombia moved to six points from two matches and guaranteed their progress to the knockout stage ahead of their final group game against Portugal, who beat Uzbekistan 5-0 earlier on Tuesday.
DR Congo remained on one point and will need a result against Uzbekistan to keep their qualification hopes alive.
[Aljazeera]
Sri Lanka’s small but highly successful contingent returned with an impressive haul of three medals from the Malaysian Open Athletics Championship, which concluded on Sunday, and all three athletes representing the country finished on the podium.
Leading the way was high jumper Tharindu Dasun, who produced a personal best performance to claim the gold medal in the men’s high jump. The 26-year-old cleared 2.22 metres, surpassing his previous personal best and securing top place in the competition. The achievement marks another significant milestone for the jumper in an important year inclusive of several international competitions.
Tharindu Dasun reached his personal best in the high jump.
Middle-distance runner Harsha Karunaratne added a second gold medal for Sri Lanka with a strong performance in the men’s 800 metres. Karunaratne crossed the finish line in 1 minute and 50.61 seconds to secure first place and underline his consistency in the event.
Meanwhile, hurdler Roshan Ranatunga contributed the third medal by finishing second in the men’s 110 metres hurdles. Ranatunga clocked 14.19 seconds to earn the silver medal and complete a perfect medal-winning campaign for the Sri Lankan team.
With only three athletes competing, Sri Lanka achieved a remarkable 100 percent medal success, collecting two gold medals and one silver medal from the championship.
Roshan Ranatunga settled for silver in the 110 metres hurdles.
The team was accompanied by Thiron Gamage, the coach of Ranatunga, who served as the team manager and coach during the tour.
”It is important that athletes compete in events like these as better conditions help them improve, Gamage told The Island.
”The preperation of the athletes and their coaches helped them do well.
Harsha Karunaratne won the men’s 800 metres gold.
”Dasun used the conditions well to reach his pb. Harsha did not have much competition for him to push for a better timing as he won easily,” said Gamage.
Commenting on his own athlete Roshan, he said that the hurdler will improve during the season as he is getting back to competition after recovering from an injury.
Sri Lanka team with coach Thiron Gamage (left).
The outstanding performances in Malaysia provide a timely boost for Sri Lankan athletics ahead of several major international assignments. Sri Lanka Athletics will now turn their attention to crucial upcoming competitions, including the Commonwealth Games and the Asian Games, where Sri Lanka will be looking to build on the momentum generated by successful campaigns such as these.
Dasun’s personal-best clearance of 2.22 metres stood out as the highlight of the championship for Sri Lanka. (RF)
Sports
HNB Assurance, Hayleys Group ‘B’, Maliban Biscuits and Power Hand Plantations undefeated as league stage concludes
CDB –MCA T10 CRICKET TOURNAMENT 2026 [TIER B]
HNB Assurance, Hayleys Group ‘B’, Maliban Biscuits and Power Hand Plantations topped their respective groups as the league stage of the CDB sponsored MCA T10 Cricket Tournament was concluded on Sunday.
On Sunday, English Tea Shop, Camera LK, Hayleys ‘B’ and Power Hand Plantations registered two wins each while HNB Assurance, Maliban Biscuits and Peoples Leasing registered a win each. The game between Stafford Motors and South Asian Technologies ended in a tie.
At the Mercantile Cricket Association ground, English Tea Shop defeated Akbar Brothers by 22 runs and Heshan Flex by 41 runs to clinch second spot in Group A of the tournament while HNB Assurance beat Heshan Flex to lead the group undefeated. Maliban Biscuits beat Seylan Bank to emerge undefeated leaders of Group ‘C’.
At the Ananda College grounds, both Hayleys ‘B’ and Camera LK registered two wins each over David Peiris ‘B’ and Siyapatha Finance to take first and second spots of Group ‘B’ respectively.
In the Group ‘ D’ games played at the Nalanda College grounds, Power Hand Plantations defeated both South Asian Technologies and Peoples Leasing to lead the group undefeated while Peoples Leasing defeated Stafford Motors to clinch second spot. The game between South Asian Technologies and Stafford Motors ended in a thrilling tie.
At the MCA grounds:
English Tea Shop won by 22 runs
English Tea Shop 102/5 in 10 overs
[Nuwan Wijesinghe 14, Ramesh Fernando 42, Lahiru Gamage 20, Gaveen Gunarathna 10*; Roshen Perera 2-20, Chinthaka Shriyantha 1-18]
Akbar Brothers Group 80/6 in 10 overs
[Chathura Devinda 20, Sahan Sankalpa 23, Pasindu Botheju 15, Tharanga Kumara 11; Oshanda Wickremesinghe 1-08, Gaveen Gunarthne 2-22, Lahiru Gamage 1-10, Ramesh Fernando 1-14]
Pasindu, Taariq power HNB Assurance to an 83 run win
HNB Assurance 164/3 in 10 overs
[Lahiru Sithpriya 21, Dasun Abeywardena 13, Pasindu Pathum 84*, Dulanjana Wijesinghe 10, Chamod Piyumal 29*; Nuwan Hettiarachchi 2-24, Akila Madushanka 1-15]
Heshan Flex 81/8 in 10 overs
[Akila Madushanka 17, Chamath Hirantha 12, Asitha Nilanga 25*; Taariq Naziar 4-07, Dulanjana Wijesinghe 2-16, Milinda Sanjaya 1-24, Lahiru Sithpriya 1-03]
English Tea Shop beat Heshan Flex by 41runs
English Tea Shop 93/8 in10 overs
[Nuwan Wijesinghe 41, Oshadha Wickramasinghe 22; Akila Madushanka 2-21, Shamala Asokan 1-13, Rasika Chandana 4-11]
Heshan Flex 52/10 in 8.4 overs
[Sapumal Senanayake 22; Oshadha Wickramasinghe 2-18, Gaveen Gunarathne 3-05, Semila Liyanage 3-18, Gihan Madushanka 2-08]
Maliban Biscuits beat Seylan Bank by 39 runs
Maliban Biscuits 113/7 in 10 overs
[Mohomad Shilmi 32, Chathuranga Dewapriya 45; Chanuka Santhush 1-22, Nimesh Jayamaha 1-17, Nishane Fernando 2-17, Shehan Deen 2-28]
Seylan Bank 74/6 in 10 overs
[Nethum Basnayake 22, Chanuka Santhush 11, Nimesh Jayamaha 11; Chamara Rathnayake 2-14, Chathuranga Dewapriya 3-06]
At the Ananda College grounds
Anjana stars as CameraLK beat David Peiris Group by 18 runs
CameraLK 123/5 in 10 overs [Anjana Orton 66*, Asitha Chamara 39; Maleesha Sankalpa 2-23, Amila Jayawardena 1-16, Kasun Chathurapriya 1-30]
David Peiris Group ‘B’ 105/5 in 10 overs
[Vihanga Jayanama 32, Amila Jayawardena 48*; Anushka Gunasinghe 1-10, Anjana Orton 3-20, Kaveesh Sathsara 1-29]
Hayleys ‘B’ beat Siyapatha Finance by 9 wickets
Siyapatha Finance 76/5 in 10 overs
[Gayath Menis 22, Kaveen Bandara 28; Sanuja Niduwara 2-18, Daham Nirmal 1-16, Senal de Silva 1-03, Yasiru Jasinghe 1-16]
Hayleys Group ‘B’ 80/1 in 7 overs
[Yuthika Silva 53*, Lahiru Dawatage 13; Nimesh Lakmal 1-08]
Hayleys ‘B’ beat David Peiris by 8 wickets in 3 over game
David Peiris Group ‘B’ 33/0 in 3 overs
[Vihanga Jayanama 15*, Amila Jayawardena 15*]
Hayleys Group ‘B’ 34/2 in 2.4 overs
[Lahiru Dawatage 28*; Amila Jayawardena 1-16]
Camera LK beat Siyapatha Finance by 2 wickets
Siyapatha Finance 88/8 in 10 overs [Gayath Mendis 25, Kaveen Bandara 34, Niroshan Dihan 15; Anushka Gunasinghe 1-23, Ranmira Fernando 1-17, Kasun Madushanka 2-13, Kaveesh Sathsara 3-11]
Camera LK 89/8 in 9.2 overs
[Theekshana Maduwantha 13, Kasun Madushanka 15, Anushka Gunasinghe 13, Asitha Chamara 16; Chamith Kularathne 1-07, Nimesh Lakmal 1-07, Kaveen Bandara 3-25, Malith Pathirana 2-08]
At the Nalanda College grounds:
Ruwin and Waruna star in Power Hand Plantations’ nine wicket win
South Asian Technologies 57/10 in 9.5 overs
[Suviru Sathminda 13, Lasantha Kamalal 14, Maoshada Fernando 15; Tharindu Silva 2-10, Waruna Mayantha 1-12, Hirusha Dulanja 2-22, Ruwin Sankalpa 4-06]
Power Hand Plantations 61/1in 6 overs
[Waruna Mayantha 40*, Kasun Vidura 18; Dilshan Maduwantha 1-16]
Peoples Leasing beat Stafford Motors by 32 runs on DLS
Peoples Leasing 85/6 in 10 overs
[Arrokkiyanathar Vinoshan 21, Chathura Anuradha 28, Ashen Kavinda 21; Sanjaya Fernando 2-12, Asanka Kumarage 1-27, Sanjeewa Vishan 1-07]
Stafford Motors 44/6 in 9 overs
[Gajidu Yasas 11, Sajeewa Vishen 13; Isuru Gunasekera 1-06, SanathDasanayaka 1-13, Nadun Kulathilake 2-05, Arjuna Perera 2-05]
Power Hand Plantations by 29 runs
Power Hand Plantations 113/6 in 10 overs
[Kasun Viduea 12, Thisura Udara 25, Hirusha Dulanja 21*, Pulasthi Athapaththu 32; Arrokkiyanathar Vinoshan 3-17, Arjuna Perera 1-14, Isuru Gunasekera 2-16]
Peoples Leasing PLC 84/4 in 10 overs
[Isuru Gunasekera 15, Chamila Bandara 13, Chathura Anuradha 17, Esitha Gimhana 14, Ashen Kavinda 14*; Dhanushka Ranasinghe 1-17, Tharindu Silva 1-21, Ruwin Sankalpa 1-05, Waruna Mayantha 1-17]
Stafford Motors vs South Asian Technologies SC tied
Stafford Motors 103/5 in 10 overs
[Gajindu Yasas 53, Sanjaya Fernando 14, Sajeewa Vishan 23*; Dilshan Maduwantha 1-19, Maoshada Fernando 2-19, Chamod Rathnayake 1-23]
South Asian Technologies SC 103/6 in 10 overs
[Lasantha Kamalal 24, Maneendeera Jayathilake 20, Dilshan Maduwantha 10, Risith Ishara 18; Shanaka Sampath 3-21, Janith Maduwantha 1-19, Asanka Kumarage 1-14, Sanjaya Fernando 1-16]
Munoz sends Colombia into World Cup knockouts with 1-0 win over DR Congo
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Legal provisions on marking voters using indelible ink during elections removed
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