University of Colombo have it all

by Leslie Fernando

It was all the way for rowers from University of Colombo as they made a clean sweep, rowing with great power and courage to retain the men's and women's overall championships over University of Moratuwa in the 23rd Annual Inter-University regatta hosted by University of Moratuwa and held on the Beira Waters yesterday.

It was a superb combined team effort from both oarsmen and oarswomen of University of Colombo to stamp their class and skills in rowing.

Among the men, University of Colombo crew had wins in 'A' Scull, 'B' Scull, 'A' Pairs, 'B' Pairs, 'B' Fours and the main event Beat Race to collect all 42 points to nil over their rivals.

University of Colombo thus retained the Prof. Stanley Wijesundara Challenge Trophy for men. The University of Colombo Ladies also rowed with great success to win all four events (2 row over (walk over), including the Fours events to collect all 32 points. They retained the Lloyd Sirimanne Challenge Trophy.

Incidentally University of Moratuwa did not field crews for the Graduate Fours and Men's 'C' Fours but University of Colombo crews of 'C' Fours and Graduate Four rowed as an exhibition race. Lloyd Sirimanne, a former Thomian oarsman and national coach was the happiest man yesterday and he attributed his rowers great success due to their dedication and disciplined training.

Men

'A' Sculls: Dinesh Lasantha of University of Colombo beat Praveen Jayawardane of University of Moratuwa, Time 4:18 secs.

'B' Sculls: Champika Thushara Namantha of University of Colombo beat D. S. W. Sampath Sri of University of Moratuwa, Time 4:24 secs.

'A' Pairs: Pulasthi Chamara Adikari (B), Chinthaka Sanjeewa (S) of University of Colombo beat Lahiru Munasinghe (B), K. V. Chathuranga (S) of University of Moratuwa, Time 3:58 secs.

'B' Pairs: Champika Thushara Namantha (B), Dinesh Lasantha (S) of University of Colombo beat Dushan Jayasinghe (B), D. S. W. Sampath Sri (S) of University of Moratuwa, Time 3:58 secs.

'B' Fours: Udara Sampath (B), Pathum Dilkushan (2), Pulasthi Chamara Adikari (3), Pathum Sameera Srinath (S), Praveen Janantha (Cox) of University of Colombo beat Praveen Jayawardene (B), G. Madushanka (2), S. Dalpathadu (3), K. V. Chathuranea (S), D. S. W. Sampath Sri (Cox) of University of Moratuwa, Time 3:43 secs.

'A' Fours: P. P. Rohitha (B), Chinthaka Sanjeewa (2), Champika Thushara Namantha (3), Dinesh Lasantha (S), Damith Jinasena (Cox) of University of Colombo beat L. W. Wijesinghe (B), Thilina Weerasinghe (2), Lahiru Munasinghe (3), B. M. O. de Silva (S), J. M. S. Dananjaya Bandara (Cox) of University of Moratuwa, Time 3:39 secs.

Ladies

Sculls: Natasha Gooneratne of University of Colombo - Row over - (walk over) from University of Moratuwa.

'A' Pairs: Natasha Gooneratne (B), Imani Perera (S), Mihiri Sirimanne (Cox) of University of Colombo beat T. D. H. M. Hemanthi (B), R. H. S. I. de Silva (S), Jasmin Stein (Cox) of University of Moratuwa, Time 5:32 secs.

'B' Pairs: Lilanka Boteju (B), Thirusha Abeywardene (S), Mihiri Sirimanne (Cox) of University of Colombo - Row over - (Walkover) from University of Moratuwa Pair.

Fours: Natasha Gooneratne (B), Thirusha Abeywardene (2), Lilanka Boteju (3), Imani Perera (S), Mihiri Sirimanne (Cox) of University of Colombo beat B. H. G. Jayasinghe (B), Samudra Semasinghe (2), T. D. H. M. Hemanthi (3), R. H. S. I. de Silva (S) Jasmin Stein (Cox) of University of Moratuwa, Time 4:24 secs.