Upcountry – an impressive entry into big league
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The Upcountry Lions have written an impressive start to their franchise history, as they challenged several top clubs, including the league champions Havelock’s. Pic by Ranjith Perera.
For the Upcountry Lions, the recently concluded ‘A’ division Dialog League Inter Club Rugby tournament will be remembered as an event far more significant than merely the club’s debut competition. Rather it was a watershed outing, where a newly assembled outfit played with a unique and uninhibited brand of rugby and launched itself deep into the upper echelons of the club structure.
The Lions marched deep into the league, eventually finishing off in contention for the Cup, ahead of the much more experienced Army, Police, Air Force, CR&FC and CH&FC units.
Although stumbling against big-name clubs, the Lions did give a fair representation of their skill, especially in their final two home fixtures against Navy and Kandy. After toppling top title contenders Navy 46-38, the Lions were up early against Kandy, taking a 17-5 lead into the half. However, a furious late rally by the defending champions ended all hopes the home team had of consecutive upsets, as they lost by a marginal 19 points to 17.
Nevertheless, the sudden emergence of the Upcountry Lions has not only propelled them into the reckoning for the upcoming knockout tournament but has also procured them a large and loyal fan base extending beyond their home territory of Nawalapitiya and across the entire island.
“We came with a motive to come into the first four which we have done. We are very happy. Name-wise we are one of the best sides around. But players from different teams don’t get together in the first year, it takes time,” Team Manager Hassan Sinhawansa explained.
He added that after the second round the Lions came together as a team and were able to produce a more cohesive game, yielding a stronger allround performance. Crucially though, besides boasting of a strong unit which is equipped with ten national players, the Upcountry Lions are also guided by an experienced and passionate coach in Inthi Marrikar.
Marrikar, a former Trinitian, has been involved with the game at both the school and club level, and fully understands the demands of top-flight rugby, having been a player himself for CR&FC and Kandy. Sinhawansa reveals that the reason behind the formation of the Upcountry Lions goes far beyond solely creating a dominant rugby unit.
“There are eight to ten schools playing rugby in the central province. We thought it is better to have a new club in the central province where an opportunity could be provided for school leavers to join and play,” he says. “Actually Nawalapitiya was the first place where rugby was played. But before people in Nawalapitiya were more interested in football than in rugby but now with the success of the club that is changing.”
The manager, along all the rest of those driving the Lions forward, believes that the club is capable of achieving bigger and better things sooner rather than later. “Now we are clicking as a team and we feel very confident. The next thing we are looking at is doing well in the knockout tournament.”
Judging by their rapid progress in the league tournament, it is virtually guaranteed that this is more than likely going to be the case.
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