In rugby this fight remains forever: The freedom to cheer your side
View(s):Restless and or overawed players was what we saw when Havelocks took on Kandy SC at the Park. With an evening that was good despite the heat I wondered what was in store as a few misplaced tempers and shaking of fists was seen. Sense took over as the referee spoke to the captains without using the stick and this seemed to work as players settled down to do the job in hand.
Spectators in the stands looked hyped as the visitors from the hills started their chorus. This did not seem to the liking of some who thought that they are the grand protectors of virginity at the park. The Kandy supporters were accosted boisterously by some who thought to show that silencing by might is right. Stalwarts of the club, some of whom were former Presidents got off their comfortable positions and drove some sense to those that were attempting to create a rumpus. To the defence of the club, one must say that the rascals did not seem to be members of the club.
Havelocks is known to be a club that plays good host and extends its hospitality to visitors and need to look at what happened as this is not good for the club or their membership. A question that has to be addressed is the ability to walk across unchallenged through the ground while the game is on. Worst was when those trouble makers walked into the field, questioned and jostled the referee after Kandy scored the match winning try. At the end the host team has to take the responsibility for all aspects of safety and security at a match venue. This is a serious issue that has to be addressed as the way most grounds are built there is little perimeter fence that will deter mischief makers from walking into the playing area.
The urchins who went across kept on telling ‘do you allow us to shout in Kandy’. Whether in Kandy or in Colombo the spectators should be allowed to cheer their side as that is what the game is about. If not what interest will keep people coming for a game.
Addressing this issue is most important as the schools season is about to start and there will be bigger crowds and more passionate outbursts that will have to be limited to the stands. Often we get lost because there is a tendency of not being able to identify the woods from the trees. Get the bigger picture right. The stupidity of spectators took away the interest of a game that was decided in the last minute. One would have thought that Havelocks had the game very much wrapped up after a few minutes into the second half. The score at half time was 12 points to 8 which was increased to 17 to 8 a few minutes after the turn-around. Did Havelocks lose their plot from here onwards? What is important is to win the game and that has to be the main thrust. Most times I thought the Park captain was talking and questioning the referee when that precious time would have been used to talk to his team. Did he who is to lead lose the plan with an uncharacteristic display taking his focus from leading as he got involved in the quibbling at the start of the game? An aspect that has to be talked about is controlling the clock and the game. With around five minutes left Havelocks were leading 20 points to 14. Havelocks lost a match that they should have won. Kandy kept the clock under control dropped a goal and attacked to win.
In the euphoria of scoring and taking the lead the Kandy support staff forgot about sending the tee despite frantic signs by the place kicker. The 90 seconds was lost and the conversion attempt was disallowed. This is something that the team management should take note of as if it was a crucial point that was required as the disallowing would have cost a match and encouraged mayhem.
The importance of a win was for Havelocks who could have been runners-up. They however lost their way. For Kandy a loss or a draw would not have forced them out of being champs as they had an all important last game with Navy. They can now breathe safely as they now have more chances to win the league after the win at the Park.
Something that I have heard at most matches is the shout of crowds as well as players who do not get the hang of whether the arriving player at the break down got his hands to the ball before or after a ruck is formed. If he gets his hands before what are his rights and what has the ball carrier got to do? Good players will always try to steal that ball when they get there quick. Do you penalise at this point or referee by rewarding dominance and continuity. That is just a thought I decided to share as most times we talk about what we see not realising that it is a part of the game. Then we talk of super rugby.
* Vimal Perera is a former player, coach, referee and an IRB Accredited Referees’ Educator