Rugby jigsaw still open

The rugby season of 2008 is into its third week of the school games. It is into the second week in the ‘Caltex’ League Division ‘A’ games. Schools rugby at the moment is poised for an interesting finish. We may possibly see action as well as despair for some as the season reaches a climax.

Trinity College who did not have game last week has two wins from two. S. Thomas’ College who love to live dangerously to the last minute have three wins out of three. It appears that these two are in front. The question is: for how long? Kingswood, St Peter’s and Isipathana are not far away; behind having lost one match each. The week end would see Trinity battle the Thomians at Bogambara; an interesting game that will tell as to who will remain in front.

Club rugby is into its second week and Kandy with CR are at the top of the table. Kandy who scored a century of points against Old Zahirians are in front with more points scored for. It looks to be a possible confrontation of two that is the CR and FC and Kandy Sports Club. Havelocks Sports Club and the Police seem to be two teams that are capable of challenging the two top contenders. Police are an improved side that challenged CR last week end though not registering a win. Having watched a number of matches at the club as well as at school level and it tickles me into asking; why are there so many unforced errors? Specifically in ball handling and in aimless kicking that gives away good ball. I also see the inability to deliver quick ball to be the downfall of many a side. Inability to give good ball comes from players who delay the off load and get into contact.

This is because players do not run into spaces but to the defense. I also see that contact does not keep the ball carrier in control. Thus it is inevitable that you get bad ball. Again one finds that players who get into contact do not stay on their feet longer. The result being that the players are not in a position to drive forward and or distribute good ball. More often what we see is bad contact and players who cannot stay on their feet. Just as much as a live soldier is more important than a dead one, a player on his feet is what rugby needs and not ones on the ground. What we see is more and more contact without having the fundamentals in place. This is evident in both levels of the game.

CR was jolted by the Police last week and came to reality only in the second half. Police were ahead of CR and FC at the break with a 16 to 5 lead. The game was around 15 minutes old in the second half when CR got into the lead The Police team showed that they are no easy meat and are capable of stretching the best sides to the maximum. CR did well to come back and win this game but need to take stock of them if they are to get closer to beat the top contenders to the title. Police dominated the first half but were beaten finally by an experience side. The CR forwards dominated the second half while the less experienced Police side took a few wrong options thus finally going down 25 to 16. Some erratic passes and unimaginative play was what made the game difficult for both sides.

In the first half Kandy was similarly stretched by Air Force. Kandy was in front by 12 points to seven at the end of the first half. Then the hill capital lads puffed for some time and got their act together to win convincingly showing glimpses of what they are capable of. It was the experience of Kandy that took them to a final score 34 points to 8. Kandy looked dangerous in possession and did score at regular intervals after the initial fifteen minutes of the second half.

If CR underestimated the capabilities of the Police team so did Kandy Sports against the Air Force. What is s to be learnt here is to always go into a game considering that each game should be considered the best game you are playing. The opponents are as good as you are or better. We see this malady spread to the school games as well .The planners would start with fresh legs that have not been tested and get into trouble making that game more difficult to win.

The CH and FC beat the Army in a game which turned to be a close battle. It went CH way in the last minute and they were lucky with the bounce. Havelocks Sports Club mauled the hapless Old Zahirians 91 points to 0 .The future for this team is to be one way traffic against them.

~ Vimal Perera is a former Rugby Referee, coach and Accredited Referees Evaluator IRB