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S.M. Jiffrey Abdeen, Kandy sports correspondent

Hyline Sports Club, Kandy came up with a good performance to score a stunning 2-0 win over the more fancied Blue Stars Sports Club, Kalutara in their Dialog Premeir League Soccer Championship with the Daily News as the media sponsor and played at the Bogambara Stadium on Sunday. At half-time Hyline Sports Club led 1-0.

It was a sorry sight to see both teams do their changing of kits in the open field while the pavilions right around the grounds were kept locked, and there was no way they could enter. When inquired from the home team Hyline SC whether is that the way to treat a visiting side which had travelled nearly 100 miles to play this match, the reply was that they could not afford the pavilion charges demanded by the Bogambara Stadium authorities.

They said that the ground hire charges has been increased from Rs. 1,300 to Rs. 2,000 and if they are to make use of the changing rooms, they will have to fork out Rs. 3,200 and a further Rs. 400 for the referees room. So they decided to hire only the grounds and the referee's room while the players changed in the open field. This is something the ground authorities and the Ministry of Sports should look into.

Having the facilities is one thing and not allowing them to be used in the name of sports is a crime. The game started on a spurious note and the Hyline team kept attacking from the start to peg the more fancied visitors down and not allowing them to make any headway. Hylines certainly had the midfield edge, thanks largely to the tireless work and excellent half distribution of national cap Thirana Gamage.

In the 20th minute of this half Hyline drew first blood when a Blue Star defender was penalised for obstruction and centre forward B.L. Prassanga converted the penalty which was awarded.

Hylines scored their second goal in the 27th minute of the second half off a initiated by centre forward R.M.T.B. Ranasinghe and centre half K.L.D. Jayasinghe drove into the nets.

Hyline skipper and custodian A. Mohammed had an excellent game bring off some fine saves which stalled the Blue Stars team. Others who excelled for the winners are V.L.D. Dharmasena, P. Rajapaksa and Thusitha Bandara.

T. Tevarapperuma refereed.

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