School rugby — High priced tickets and cricket scores
View(s):I read a comment on a website attributed to Russell Baptist a former Havelock’s and Air Force player. He was talking on the need to identify being a commentator and being a critic which are two different things. I have at most times wondered in similar lines when I have had to listen to a broadcast. This was more pronounced in my mind during the last two weeks as I have watched all matches live or post on streaming. The
Rugby, especially school games, is keenly followed in Sri Lanka
thinking at times is narrow and at times partial with emphasis being more personal than general. More particularly when law interpretations that are not complete in taking many issue that the man on the field might have to take into account.
As an example: If we believe that the law of releasing a ball applies to a tackle only then we are forgetting other laws such as the maul which require the ball to be released quickly when it goes to ground. If the ball does not come out then it may be a turnover as the ball becomes unplayable and scrum awarded to the other side. Preventing a ball coming out in my view is different to the ball not coming out. If somebody who goes to the ground is preventing the ball coming out does the referee have to consider that and award a penalty? Alternatively has the man on the ground got to be dealt with in accordance going to ground but no tackle is there. If there is no tackle and a man goes to the ground he has to get up, release or pass the ball immediately. These are 
many things that go in the mind of a referee when he blows the whistle. The different aspects of the law will prompt the referee to decide what is best at the time he sees it.
The much hyped Royal-Thomas encounter lost the fizzle no sooner the match started. If people paid to watch a spectacle they were disappointed as it was only one side that played rugby but still not enough to entertain. Probably a overrating and or overestimation have caused a better side to drop as the year progressed. Perhaps the entrance fee is an indicator of having over estimated brings a question to focus; whether people will continue to pay to watch a game. Royal dominated and what surprised me was the score line that stopped around the fifty. Once in a clear lead Royal opted to play differently than using the strength they have with the rolling maul. This probably will be held on for better days for the match that is on hand and is considered most important for them.
Pathana had luck on their side with a win over Peters. The lack of a place kicker continues to bug them and probably will prove to be their sore point as the second round matches come up. The way it is the task of retaining the league championship will be a much difficult task as one cannot afford to lose around 10 to 12 points in each match because of the lack of place kicker.
Trinity stood shaken before they registered a win against Science College and looked vulnerable. Science looks like a side that wills the fourth team to get to a slot in the second round. The second round will see some close matches and the challenge will be for better rugby.
The score line in the match between the Joes and Kingwood suggest excitement but rugby was not entertaining. This is a blame that has to be taken by both sides as it was not one expected from two teams fighting for the second slot .The match turned to be a disappointment that this game may have produced more quality rugby. The place kicking of Joes proved to be their strength which gave them a victory that was uncertain to the end. With one match each left for in the first round both teams will be in the next round and Joes will take second slot in this group with a match left against Wesley who have not done well this year. Here again both teams have to correct the unforced errors as they move to the next round and have to be a reckoning force.
The breaking point is that CWW Kanangara getting thrashed by Wesley who registered their first win . The lower division teams that have been promoted have suffered a similar fate which requires the authorities to consider a better method in the promotion and relegation as cricket scores in rugby will only lead to frustration forcing teams out of the game. Talking to sources at CWW the huge problem they have is in retention and the inability to replace injured players. Their budgets are also a constraint. This is an issue that needs to be addressed as schools have budgets that are big and may not be sustained always.
* Vimal Perera is a former player, coach, referee and an IRB Accredited Referees’ Educator