Thomians prove their class 2nd year running
The Mount Brigade swelled the Race Course as news spread that S.Thomas’ were in the finals of the Schools Rugby 7s. The increase was noticed from the semifinal stage, whereas on Day 1, and up to the Quarters, it was a come-and-go scenario. The Green Machine too had its supporters in their numbers. Naveen Henakankanamge steered S.Thomas’ to be crowned Schools Rugby 7s champs for the 2nd consecutive year. It was fitting he was adjudged the Man of the Match, which considered a combination of good playing and fair play. Henakankanamge was always seen helping an opposition player to his feet or acknowledging an opponent’s good tackle. All this while he did some scorching runs to put the school ahead when it mattered.I wonder whether the sportsmanship flows from H.K. Sisira his father who played for Pathana, Navy and Sri Lanka. S.Thomas played well in this 7s game, as the ball passed many hands many a time, when they were on the field. They attacked with a purpose and defended stoutly when the occasion demanded. It was a combination of an attacking and defending plan that helped them. They were quick to recover and set the pace, and also lasted the game to the end, as the close scores in Round 1, Quarters and Semis showed. They also had the advantage of having space to practice 7s, as they were not part of the XV-a-side Knockout (KO) game that finished as late as a week prior to the 7s.
Asanga Rodrigo has proved he is a good 7s coach, but needs to curb his impetuosity, as there is a road ahead for him in the 7s arena. A win has to be taken in humility and whatever the reason, a jig with a finger of “up yours” after a match, should not happen in a school game, as happened after the Mount team beat the Joes on Day 1, following a close match. This reminds me of a story, when a conductor showed the sign to a red comrade chairman of the CTB, when he frantically tried to stop a bus that was speeding past a bust stand in Galle Face. The explanation of the conductor at an inquiry was, he conveyed there was no room in the bus to even shove a finger in. Probably, the finger wagging was to say you have no room in the championship for the Blue and White.
Pathana did well to be in the championship final, despite the fact they had probably only 2 or 3 days practice after the KO competition. Taking part in every tournament, as they always do, is to their credit, and coming 2nd is no let down, considering the environmental conditions they were faced with. Same goes to KO winners Joes who went down in the last minute in Round 1, to the eventual winners. That again was a result of indiscretion of not deciding to kick the ball out after the hooter. They eventually ended with the consolation of winning the ‘Bowl’.
Their traditional rival St. Peter’s won the ‘Plate’ beating Science College. Pete’s did well before bowing out at the ‘Cup’ Quarters to S.Thomas’. Science, as I saw through the games, played more of 7s Rugby and looked dangerous. It, however, seemed they were unable to sustain the performance during the latter part of the game. St. Anthony’s Kandy too showed potential, but lacked the ability to sustain and were clear winners if the game was played for one half. Trinity and Kingswood lost in the semifinal games in close matches, leaving Isipthana and S. Thomas’ to battle in the final. Newcomers Moratu Vidyalaya lost to Piliyandala Central in the ‘Shield’ final.
A matter of concern was the lack of concern in instances of head injury assessment. World Rugby has in recent times taken a strong stand on head injuries. Through the tournament there were many yellow cards shown for high and dangerous tackles. But what worries most is the continuous insistence of wanting to continue playing a boy who has had a head injury assessment and has been ruled out. The resistance in taking a player out of the field comes from, at times, by a team doctor and, at times, from the trainer or physiotherapist who is on the field. In this tournament, the doctors in attendance – meaning the official doctors, were those from the Ministry of Sports. One doctor was a Licensed Educator on World Rugby Player Welfare and well versed on concussion management. Even when he decided not to allow a player to return, he stood challenged. These are issues that have to be taken serious note of, as head injuries are considered grave, in relation to player welfare. I would think that, just as much as trying to argue with a referee, while on the bench, is considered abuse, defiance shown to other match officials should warrant the same, and be a cause for removal from the playing enclosure.
Vimal Perera is a former Rugby Referee, coach and Accredited Referees Evaluator IRB