Errol Tambinayagam: Unselfish team player and a gentleman
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Royal Rugby welcomed Errol in 1975. There was lot of talk at that time that Royal was “importing” good rugby players from other schools. Even though Errol was a star wing three quarter for St Peter’s, he often mentioned to all of us at Royal that there were no such attempts and he came to Royal on his own volition. Royalists like to think that his Rugby got even better at Royal. With his position as a wing three quarter, he had to meet very high standards of Coach Summa Navaratnam who was also a wing three quarter for Royal and Sri Lanka. He met and exceeded these standards and found a spot in the first team the same year and earned his Colours.
Thankfully he was young enough to represent Royal the next year (1976) as well and played amazing Rugby and won his Colours again. This 1976 team was unbeaten and beat Trinity in the coveted Bradby Shield games that year by record margins that remained unbroken for 25 some years. There is still some discussion that with only 60 minutes of play at that time (vs 80 minutes now) and lower points for tries and goals compared to now, that the 1976 record can still be considered unbroken.
There is a first when it comes to Errol and Royal Rugby Annals. Scene was Katugastota Rugby grounds, lot of rain, Royal vs St Anthony’s First XV game in 1976. Royal wins the ball, works the three quarter line, center Sukumar draws two of his opponent three quarters and was looking for Errol to pass the ball in a classic orthodox move as he has done a few hundred times before. Only to find this time, Errol was missing in action, on the ground some meters behind. Fans were allowed to be close to the side lines in those days and an Anthonian fan anticipating Errol was going to get the ball, found another use for his umbrella and stretched the handle side into the field of play and tripped Errol who went tumbling down. I am picturing Errol regaling us with this “Umbrella Tackle” story the last time we were together in Toronto about 15 years ago. Errol was a very valuable member of the 1976 team and we are shocked to hear of his sudden demise. He was admired for his great speed and ball handling skills by all fans but for us, 1976 team members, he is remembered first for being a great unselfish team player and for his smiling face even when we were facing formidable opponents and for being a gentleman to the core, on and off the field.
We will miss him dearly and will inevitably catch up with him soon.
Manik Veerakumar, 1976 Royal Rugby Team
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| Errol Thambinayagam played rugby football for St. Peter’s College and later Royal College, Colombo in the late 1970s. He migrated to USA and lived in Los Angeles before moving to Mexico where he passed away last week. His elder brother Shirley Thambinayagam also played rugby for St.Peter’s College, Ceylon Schools and later Havelocks. |