St. Sylvester’s College, one time king makers of the boxing ring will hold their Inter-House boxing tournament after many years on March 18 Saturday thanks to the efforts of the 2006 batch of Sylvestrians, who have come forward to organize this meet.
Former national champion Nimal Lewke will be the chief guest. This school has a history where they have produced some of the brilliant boxers this country has ever seen. In the 1960s and early 1970s, they really dominated the Stubbs Shield inter-schools boxing, and many of their boxers were in the Sri Lanka School Boxing teams that took part in the dual competition with Indian Schools for the M D Gunasena Trophy during that period.
This was the time Derick Raymond who was stationed at Peradeniya University as a Marshall, was in-charge of St. Sylvester’s boxing. He produced brilliant boxers, who as schoolboys went on to win National Championship and even represented Sri Lanka in Commonwealth Games and Olympics. It is a fitting tribute to a person who has contributed so much to Sri Lanka boxing to be recognized and at this inter-house meet a trophy in memory of the late boxing guru Derick Raymond will be awarded to the champion house team. It was the idea of Nimal Lewke (the last National champion produced by Derick Raymond) to donate the trophy in memory of a most respected boxing coach. Raymond migrated to Australia in the early 1970s and later to UK where he passed away few years back.
The following trophies will be presented at the meet: Malcolm Bulner Challenge Trophy for Best Boxer, Derrick Gunasinghe Memorial Trophy for Junior Best Boxer and Nimal Lewke Challenge Trophy for Up and Coming Boxer.
Babes get wet
The highlight of the 59th Battle of the Babes encounter between St. Sylvester’s College and Vidyartha College at Pallekele International Stadium was the rain. Vidyartha College who are without a win for the last 50 years were expected to dominate but rain ended all hopes. The Sylvestrians who were invited to take first turn of the wicket were all out for 136 with Monoth Rajapakse top scoring with 40. Vidyartha coming into bat after the tea break scored 37/2 at the close.
On the second day they were struggling and had reached 104 for 8 when rain halted play 40 minutes before lunch. The awards: Man of the match - Tusith de Soysa, the best batsman - Husindu Rajapakse both Sylvestrians and the best fielder’s award was won by Vidyartha’s Shane Danawatte. Now they are set for the one day game, which is on March 25 and the T20 on March 26 both at Pallekelle.
IGP Pujith chief guest
The oldest big match in Kandy the 111lth Battle between Kingswood College and Dharmaraja College is expected to be played on Friday and Saturday. The 34th IGP Pujith Senadhi Bandara Jayasundara will grace the occasion as chief guest on the first day.
He started his schooling at Thaksala Maha Vidyalaya in Mahamukalanyaya in Bogamuwa and Ibbagamuwa Central before finishing his studies at Dharmaraja College. At the Lake View school he excelled in cricket as a fine opening batsman and was also a top bowler. He also played hockey and football.
Antonian Centenary year captain ACM Lafir
Abdul Cader Mohamed Lafir, better known as ACM Lafir born on 27 October 1935 captained the St Anthony’s College senior cricket team in the schools Centenary year in 1954. He will be the happiest at the Centenary match which is taking place at the Pallekele Stadium. In the 1954 big match he won four awards – best batsman, best bowler, best all-rounder and highest scorer. He scored 176 runs and put on 266 runs opening stand with Ronnie Stevens who scored 120.
That year he scored the 'fastest 100' in just 60 minutes against Ananda College Colombo and also led the Antonians to be unbeaten inter-school champions and won the Sri Lanka Schools Best Batsman’s Award.
He skippered the Kandy Schools XI and led them to victory over the Colombo Schools XI with a captain's knock of 151 not out. He made his first-class debut in the annual Gopalan Trophy match against Madras in 1955-56. Opening the batting, he scored the only century in the match 107. He was the first schoolboy from St. Anthony's College to play for Ceylon. In 1957 he joined the Police as a sub-inspector and later served at Esso and worked in the Middle East. He is married to Carmini and they are blessed with three children Aashiq, Nirala and Mehera.
Merryl Dunuwille donates awards
Today is the second day of the 100th cricket match between Trinity and St. Anthony’s. Former Antonian cricketer and Coach Merryl Dunuwille who is now in USA according to news from the OBA Colombo branch has come forward to donate five awards.
He was a fine cricketer during his school days, and scored a century as a fresher in the 1970 big match with 106. That was the first century at the newly laid turf wicket at Katugastota. Merryl won the “Eagle” for four consecutive years 1970-71-72-73. The awards are going to be for the best batsman, bowler, and fielder, best all rounder and most valuable players.
Schools rugby third week
St. Anthony’s College who beat D.S. Senanayake in their last outing will be at Longden Place on Sunday to play Isipathana College. Trinity College who beat Science College has no match this weekend due to their big match. On Monday they will be in Maradana to play Zahira College. Dharmaraja College will play host to Royal College at Nittawela on Monday. This game was to be played at Bogambara, but the ground is not in good shape for rugby and now the venue has been changed. Kingswood College who beat Ananda College will play St. Sylvester’s College at Pallekelle on Monday and Vidyartha College will travel down to Kurunegala to play Maliyadeva College on Monday.
Gymnastics St. Sylvester’s College emerged as the boy’s champions at the Kandy District Gymnastic championship with Ravindu Shehan, the captain winning the best prize in the competition. The meet was held at Viharamadevi Balika Vidyalaya on Sunday. St. Sylvester’s is a school that indulges in this sport but lacks the facilities. So, the OBA should give the school a hand, which is badly needed. They won the event without a proper venue for training.
Richard Aluwihare trophy one-dayer
The Trinity vs St. Anthony's one-day game for the Richard Aluwihare challenge trophy will be played on March 18 at the Asgiriya Stadium. The first limited over game between the two schools was played in 1980 and the Antonians led by Angelo Liyanage beat Trinity led by Ravi Ratnayeke.
The following year too the Antonians won under Fazal Mohamed. It was in 1982 that the Trinitians won for the first time under A. Yanie. This will be the 37th encounter. Out of the 34 played, Antonians have won 17 and Trinitians 16. In 2002 there was no match, in 2014 it was a tie and the 1993 game ended in no-result due to rain. Former Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara will be the chief guest.
Pushpadana girls do well
The annual inter-house sports meet of the 75-year-old Pushpadana Girls College was held with some super track and field events. This is one of the most looked forward to sporting events of the year for the present and old girls. The first place was pocketed by Yasodara House, Sangamitha House came second, Gothami House third and Chithra House fourth. It was a well organised event and credit should go to the principal E.Egodawella and the staff, the old girls too were there to give a helping hand.
Exit door
Trinity was shown the exit door by Maliyadeva in the Singer Cup under 19 schools division one limited overs quarterfinals. Trinity was all out for 214 runs in 45.5 overs and Maliyadeva scored 215 for 4 in 33.1 overs.
Trinity has three more first round games
Trinity College who has won the first two games has three more game in the first round in the schools rugby season. On March 13 vs Zahira College at Maradana, 20 v S. Thomas’ College at Longden Place and 27 v Prince of Wales College at Pallekelle.
After this the second round matches will commence. Their traditional 73rd Bradby Shield match is fixed for May 20 in Kandy and June 3 in Colombo. Last year the shield was shared - the first leg played in Colombo Royal won 22- 17 and in the second leg in Kandy Trinity won 18-13 so it was a 35-all tie after two legs.
The 1st XV and the 2nd XV coaching are handled by Fijian Lote Raikabula. He is assisted by Buddhika Abeyasinghe; the MIC is Sahana Vajirasena and team manager Manoj Jayatissa. Under 18 is coached by Sanjaya Amunugama and assisted by Rahul Karunatilake and Dulanja Abeyawickrema is MIC for under 18 and 2nd XV. The Under 16 is coached by Thusitha de Silva and assisted by Damith Dissanayake with MIC Kapila Alahakoon. The Under 14 is coached by G.S. de Soysa with MIC Subash Wijewardene; The Under 12 coaches are Y.M.S. Ratnayake and Isanka Abeyakoon with Mrs. F.Z. Sultan as the Teacher in charge. POG is Shane de Silva and Director of Sports Alex Lazarus.
Gateway win u15 basketball
Gateway College Kandy beat Kingswood College by 54 points to 30 to win the Central Zone under 15 basketball tournaments, which was worked off at the Trinity College and Gateway College courts. Schools from Kandy, Kurunegala, Badulla and Kegalle took part.
In the Group games the champion team beat Colombo International School and Kingswood College, in the quarter finals they beat Trinity College, and in the semi-finals beat Azar College Akurana.
The best offensive player’s award of the tournament went to Shane Yogeswaran and the most valuable player of the tournament award went to Pornthichai Yeamplab.
The champion team comprised Chalana Eriyagama, Lavodh Wijesinghe, Lokitha Yapa, Mohammed Shuhail, Salim Zulki, Ayas Illiyas, Dhanuka Harangahawelage, Shuhaib Rumaiz, Manula Kariyawasam, Rajendran Lakshagan, Vinuk Walisundara, Pornthichai Yeamplab, Munir Aslam, Daham Tennakoon, Shane Raja Yogeswaran and Anuradha Wijesinghe coach cum MIC.
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