Sports

Highlanders in a big win

Published

5 years ago

2021/06/10

by Rajitha Ratwatte

The Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin was hosts to the NSW Waratahs with a Otago Highlanders side minus their star halfback Aaron Smith taking them on. The second minute of the game saw the ‘Landers on the board with Michael Collins dotting down under posts off a turnover obtained basically from the kick-off.

The Referee Damon Murphy got the TMO involved to check for obstruction but finally awarded the try, 7 – 0 to the hosts. Sevevn minutes into the game the ‘Tahs got a penalty 25 meters out and mid-right and Will Harrison made short work of that 7 – 3.

Three minutes later Jack Maddox ran outside the Highlanders speedster Jonah Nareki (a rare occurrence) and scored a seven pointer to take the visitors into the lead 7 – 10.

Thirteen minutes into the game Nareki earned his side a penalty by what was deemed a high tackle on him and the subsequent line out from the touch gaining kick saw Sio Tomkinson who is usually a midfielder but was playing on the wing this game, cut inside pick up a loose pass and scored mid-right for the Highlanders.

Another seven pointer taking the ‘Landers back into the lead 14 – 10. The man with the impossible name, Mark Nawaquanitawase ran through a few gaps in the Highlanders defence and got the Waratahs back into the lead with another goal 14 – 17. Grant Nesbitt the premier rugby commentator in New Zealand predicted a try fest at this stage of the game and boy was he right!

The Highlanders game plan to keep playing in Waratahs territory was working with Sio Tomkinson able to charge down a clearing kick win his side a turnover penalty and we had the magnificent sight of tight head prop Ethan De Groot charging his way over the Waratahs line to score mid-right.

The kick was not converted but the lead changed once again 19 – 17 to the hosts. The first scrum of the game was in the 20th minute and the ‘Tahs won a penalty that was kicked from 46 meters out and straight in front of the posts.

Eight minutes from half-time the Highlanders rolling maul got going and Ash Dickson their skipper and hooker benefitted, as usual, going over the line and after the referee checked for a clear grounding the try was awarded mid right.

Seven points resulted and another lead change 26 – 20. Both sides were not done yet and the Aussies strung together nine phases and finally decided to kick at goal from 22 meters out, mid-right, and shorten the lead to 26 – 23.

Almost on the half-time hooter the Highlanders Japanese number eight Kazuki Himeno made a great break and passed to Jonah Nareki who showed a clean pair of heels to score far left. Another seven points to the Highlanders with Mitch Hunt adding the extra points from a difficult angle. Half-time score 33 – 23 with 56 points being scored in 40 minutes of pulsating rugby.

Four minutes into the second-half, the ‘Tahs lost a defensive line out and the ‘Landers tight head prop De Groot got himself another try, going over the line mid-right. Mitch Hunt was in great kicking form and seven points more took the score to 40 – 23. 12 minutes into the half the ‘Tahs were denied a try by being caught out by the TMO for tackling without the ball or an early tackle on Jonah Nareki who also seemed to injure his shoulder badly. Nareki chose to continue playing and tackled ferociously and won a turnover penalty for his side. The subsequent touch finder, saw the Highlanders rolling maul activated once again and Kazuki Himeno got himself over the line. The conversion struck the left upright and the resulting five points to the score to 45 – 23.

Ten minutes from full-time, Josh Ioane playing at full-back and having a subdued game, drew two defenders and passed beautifully to Johan Nareki on the wing who switched the afterburners on and streaked his way through 20 meters to score again. Probably restoring some pride in beating his opposite number Jack Maddox who had got the better of him early in the game. Hunt converted spectacularly from a difficult angle and the fifty was up for the Highlanders 52 – 23.

A vital bonus point earned as there is little doubt now that the finalists will be from among the Kiwi teams who win with bonus points. The final try of this “try fest” came from Highlanders substitute number eight Ben Nicholas who went off the back of the scrum and scored in the old-fashioned, traditional number eight fashion to take the final tally to 59 – 23 with the Highlanders winning and securing the vital bonus point. No scoring at all from the Waratahs in the second-half concluding seven losses in 12 games played.

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Sports

Hasaranga backs Sri Lanka for World Cup semi-final push

Published

10 hours ago

2026/01/13

Sahan Weerasooriya

Sri Lanka’s leg-spin spearhead Wanindu Hasaranga has warned rivals not to write off the hosts ahead of the World Cup, after his four-wicket burst in the final T20I against Pakistan helped Sri Lanka square the three-match series on Sunday.

Hasaranga’s spell turned the game on its head and restored belief in a side that has blown hot and cold. Speaking after being named Player of the Match and Player of the Series, the leg-spinner said Sri Lanka, buoyed by home conditions, remain very much in the hunt for a semi-final berth.

Under head coach Sanath Jayasuriya, Sri Lanka have made steady strides over the past 18 months. There have been a few distractions recently like changes in selectors and captaincy among them, but the dressing room, Hasaranga insisted, is quietly confident.

“We know the conditions and we’ve grown up playing in these conditions,” Hasaranga said. “If we use them well, we can have a major impact. Players need to identify their roles. Once that happens, we can put on a good show.”

Sunday’s decider was reduced to 12 overs a side after rain delayed the start by more than two hours, but Hasaranga felt the shortened contest still offered valuable lessons.

“Today we looked good,” he said. “We’ve been lacking a bit of consistency in recent years. In a World Cup, you have to minimise mistakes and keep moving forward.”

Bowling with a wet ball tested the spinners’ skills and patience, but Hasaranga viewed it as useful match practice rather than an inconvenience.

“It was challenging with a wet ball,” he explained. “But it’s good these things happen before a World Cup. It prepares you for all kinds of situations. I even spoke to our batters about what deliveries they’d prefer to face, and that input helped when we went out to defend.”

Sri Lanka now enjoy a week’s breather before hosting England with Hasaranga keen to see his side peak at the right time.

“When this series started, we had six games leading into the World Cup,” he said. “Rain in Dambulla meant things didn’t always go to plan. As a team, we wanted winning momentum. There are only a couple of games left now and we need to be firing on all cylinders when the World Cup begins.”

Sri Lanka had stumbled in the opener, losing by six wickets after being bowled out inside 20 overs, while the second match was washed out without a toss. A 14-run win in the final game, however, ensured honours ended even.

Rex Clementine
in Dambulla

Sports

Sunil Gunawardana among contenders for top post of Sri Lanka Athletics

Published

10 hours ago

2026/01/13

Sahan Weerasooriya

It will be a four-way battle for the top post of Sri Lanka Athletics as fresh nominations for the election of office bearers closed at the Sports Ministry on Monday. Former president Sunil Gunawardana, Bimal Wijesinhge, Sugath Kumara and Prasanna Indika are the nominees for the post of president and they are subjected to objections.

‎This is the second time the Ministry of Sports called for nominations after different stakeholders successfully challanged the earlier niminations alleging that there were errors in the process.

‎Informed sources said that this time too the Ministry of Sports has left enough room for allegations as it announced the names of the nominees without waiting for the nominations sent by post.

‎”There was a fundamental error as they did not wait for nominations sent by post. They informed the stake holders by post. Some member federations had received the letters only on last Thursday. They were in a mighty hurry to announce the names of the nominees soon after the nominations closed,” a source close to athletics told The Island.

‎Following are the nominees for various posts of Sri Lanka Athletics.

‎‎President: Sunil Gunawardana, Bimal Wijesinhge, Prasanna Indika, Sugath Kumara

‎‎Vice President: Prasanna Indika, Lal Chandrakumara, Lt. Col. G.N. Jayathilaka, Irangani Rupasinghe, Jagath Silva, G.J. Siyamudali, Prasanna Aluvihare

‎‎Secretary: Dr. Dhammika Senanayake, Sameera Perera, Madawa Herath

‎Asst. Secretary: Sameera Perera, Aloy Wickramasinghe (RF)

Sports

Lakmal, Pravina win trophies at Eagles Monsoon Cup Golf Tournament

Published

10 hours ago

2026/01/13

Sahan Weerasooriya

Wing Commander Lakmal Gunewardene (Retd) won the Eagles’ Monsoon Cup Trophy. (L) / Pravina Dunuwille emerged as the Ladies' Trophy winner. (R)

Wing Commander Lakmal Gunewardene (Retd) secured the Eagles’ Monsoon Cup Trophy, achieving the highest score in the gents’ category and Pravina Dunuwille emerged as the Ladies’ Trophy winner at the fourth edition of the Eagles Monsoon Cup Golf Tournament which came to a close at the picturesque China Bay, near the harbour city of Trincomalee.

‎The Sri Lanka Air Force, in collaboration with Eagles’ Golf Links and Courses, successfully conducted the fourth edition of the Eagles’ Monsoon Cup Golf Tournament on Sunday.

‎The tournament, conducted under the Stableford Scoring System, commenced in the morning with the participation of 80 enthusiastic golfers, including 13 women golfers. The tournament was officially inaugurated when one of the former Commanders of the Air Force, Air Chief Marshal Jayalath Weerakkody, took the first tee-off.

‎Wing Commander Nalin Bentharaarachchi (Retd) claimed the Runner-up position in the Gents’ category, and Niloo Jayathilake was awarded the Ladies’ Runner-up position. In addition, Buddika Amarasinghe and Air Chief Marshal Jayalath Weerakkody received accolades for the Longest Drive and Nearest to the Pin, respectively, in the Gents’ category, while Sandra Cadien secured the Longest Drive in the Ladies’ category. The Wooden Spoon was awarded to Nimal Jayasinghe.

‎The Eagles’ Monsoon Defence Challenge Trophy, presented to members of the Tri-Services in the Men’s category, was won by Wing Commander Asantha Gunaratne from the SLAF. Lieutenant Commander Mevan Perera from the SL Navy was the Runner-up of the Defence Challenge Trophy. Commodore Mangala Mummullage received the award for the Longest Drive in the Defence Challenge category.

‎The Best Total Net Score in the Six Hidden Holes competition segment was achieved by Wing Commander Lakmal Gunewardene (Retd) and Group Captain Prabath Wijekoon received the Commander’s Island Green Award for the 2025 year’s Eagles’ Monsoon Cup iteration.

‎The awards of the Eagles’ Monsoon Cup were presented at a gala Awards Ceremony held at Eagles’ Golf Links during the evening of the same day. The Director General Air Operations, Air Vice Marshal Dhammika Dias, graced the Awards Ceremony as the Chief Guest. Further, Air Chief Marshal Jayalath Weerakkodi, Chairman of SLAF Golf, Air Commodore Erandika Gunewardene, Secretary of Air Force Golf Links and Courses, Group Captain Asanka Rathnayake, Secretary of Air Force Golf, Wing Commander Thushan Fernando, Sales Manager of Aviyana Ceylon Resorts, Suranga Fernando (representing the Chairman of Aviyana Ceylon Resorts) and other golf enthusiasts attended the ceremony.

‎Adding to the prestige of the occasion, Aviyana Ceylon Resorts sponsored the tournament, enhancing its grandeur and providing a memorable experience for all participants.‎