Ladies rowers retain Higgins Trophy

By Leslie FERNANDO

ROWING: Ladies College oarswomen rowed gracefully to retain the Marie Musaeus Higgins Trophy collecting 32 points to Musaeus’ 8 points at the Ladies-Musaeus 5th annual Regatta held on the Beira Waters yesterday. The regatta was sponsored by Dialog GSM.

Ladies College crew came together to glide effortely over the waters with endurance strength, balance and mental discipline to win the overall title for the third time.

The series tally is Ladies College 3 and Musaeus 1 and the 2006 Regatta ended in a tie 20 points each.

Musaeus rowers started off confidently winning the first two events ‘A’ Scull and ‘B’ Scull to collect 8 points. But Ladies College oarswomen showed superior rowing skills to win the other four events with ease - ‘A’ Pair, ‘B’ Pair, ‘B’ Four and the main event of the race the Boat Race to collect 32 points out of 40 points.

The Boat Race was a one sided affair with Ladies College crew comprising Anjali Mandawala (B), Yanithra Hallock (2), Varunika Samarasekera (3), Tarena Navaratne (S), Khyati Wickremanayake (Cox) looked elegant and with excellent technique and great power won it with a time of 3.59 secs. Subashani Kularatne (B), Rashmi Kodikara (2), Swarnamali Wijesinghe (3), Sachitra Jayatilaka (S) and Sanjeewani Kularatne (Cox) of Musaeus College were unbale to beat the team work of their experienced opponents Ladies College in this main event.

The results:

‘A’ scull: Swarnamali Wijesingha of Musaeus College beat Dehara de Zoysa of Ladies College. Time - 4.34 secs.

‘B’ scull: Sachithra Jayathilaka of Musaeus College beat Amayi Mandawala of Ladies College. Time - 4.53 secs.

‘C’ four: (No points) Ladies College beat Musaeus College. Time 4.18 secs.

Double scull: (no points) Ladies College beat Musaeus College. Time 4.40 secs.

Old girls four: (no points) Museaus College beat Ladies College. Time 4.46 secs.

‘A’ pair: Sarani Jayawardena (B), Amaya Jayasuriya (S) of Ladies College beat Subashani Kularatne (B), Hiruni Mendis (S) of Musaeus College. Time - 4.22 secs.

‘B’ pair: Yanithra Hallock (B), Senuri de Silva (S) of Ladies College beat Swarnamali Wijesingha (B), Sachitra Jayatilaka (S) of Musaeus College. Time: Time 4.16 secs.

‘B’ four: Sarani Jayawardena (S), Anjali Mandawala (2), Tashya Lenaduwa (3), Amaya Jayasuriya (S), Chrruti Peiris (Cox) Ladies College beat. Dilhara Rupasinghe (B) Natasha Perera (2), Samanmali Gurusingha (3), Chalani Ramanayaka (S), Danushri Welikala (Cox) of Musaeus College. Time 4.02 secs.

Boat race: Anjali Mandawala (B), Yanithra Hallock (2), Varnika Samarasinghe (3), Tarena Navaratne (S), Khyati Wickramanayake (Cox) of Ladies College.

Subashini Kularatne (B), Rashmi Kodikara (2), Swarnamali Wijesinghe (3), Sachitra Jayatilaka (S), Sanjeewani Kularatne (Cox) of Musaeus College. Time - 3.59 secs.