Jigsaw is falling into place
View(s):The sixth week of rugby was completed and the path to the cup is open for keener competition in the weeks ahead.
The joyous singing and socializing after a match which was part of the rugby culture is not on these days. One does not hear “and I gave her kisses one, kisses one and she said: Oh that is none, that is none!” And I gave her kisses one and she said: “Oh that is none!” So I went kissing 
on, kissing on. And I gave her kisses six, and she said: “your know the tricks!” and it went so and I gave her kisses ten, and she said: “Begin again!” We have finished the sixth week but can we say the seven will be heaven.
Those who talk of rugby and say during my times probably will remember the lyrics that rendered into the night after a rugby match where the post match social was one important event. We are at the end of six weeks where the competition is tight as there are now two teams with one loss so far and three with two losses each. Despite the game on hand as we believe I have yet to hear of a fellowship that goes into the night after a rugby game and the singing keeps the tempo of rugby spirits alive. What you find most today is the visiting team collecting their dinner packets and driving away while the host team would enjoy a meal in better environment. Still one may not find the camaraderie as in rugby. Havelock’s got the better of Army in the first match played on Friday. The match started at 15.30 hours thus exposing the players to dissipate and the game to meander. Havelock’s looked set to run down Army as they were in attack and in Army territory for around 20 minutes and at most times they were in the inside the 22.
They dropped that ball or were penalised when in an attacking position and had to turn back only to come again. They did well by 26 points to 17 but looked very vulnerable early in the second half despite having been in a buoyant mood at the end of the first half. The change of strategy of keeping the ball with the forwards seemed to tax the park club boys as Army too were equal to the task. It was creditable of Havelock’s to hold on in the last ten minutes as they were down to 13 players and had to defend the 5 meters. Losing a player for ten minutes is bad and when you the captain it is madness. A captain has a vital role in the game and has to lead his troops so that he is a sort of role model. He is also the coach and motivator on the field. This is something all captains have to remember as if you are headless there is much to lose. Army with new Fijian blood and a set of determined players will definitely trouble the teams in the weeks ahead.
Navy looked set to steamroll the Air Force as scoring started as early as the 2nd minute of the first half. They however were not allowed to settle down by the Airmen who had foreigners playing with them the score at the end was 42 points to 17. Navy who is one of the top contenders has to do some soul searching as almost all scrums in the first half went to the Air Force. Interpreted this means that all errors in handling and passing etc. were a result of Navy mistakes. Air Force a rearmed side will now be a threat to the sides at the bottom in moving up the position ladder.
It was not a foolish rush if one expected the Police who beat CR the previous week to take the game to Kandy and make their life difficult. The Police held on till half time with a score of 10 points to 5 but went down tame finally losing 46 points to 19. Kandy supporters would have expected their favourite side to dominate but it took them 40 minutes to get into stride. Police who capitalised on CR mistakes last week did not get to see so many mistakes by Kandy and it led to be a lone battle of Fijian Apisai.
CH went down to Sharks by 38 points to 32 in a match most expected them to win yet will retain the seventh position way behind Kandy who lead the game followed by Navy, Havelock’s and CR. Army who has one game less occupy the 5th slot but watch out they may displace some.
Weeks seven and eight will have some interesting matches as equals play each other.
Vimal Perera is a former Rugby Referee, coach and Accredited Referees Evaluator IRB