Rugby battled the tornadoes and slippery earth and won
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Last weekend was a real test for all teams - File pic by Amila Gamage
Rain spoiled the hopes of fans who would have expected the CR vs Kandy game to be a blockbuster in keeping to the rivalry that has existed in the recent past. This was an opportunity for the Reds to redeem lost prestige, following defeats in two consecutive weeks.
They lost out again having played better than in the last two weeks. As the emotion that is attached to a game against Kandy, the Reds gave a better performance than against Army in the previous week. They did hold up to the end of the first half, going into their den trailing by 5 points to 12. At the end, they lost by 12 points to 24, which included a penalty try awarded to the Reds. What ails CR as a team with many young hopefuls is the question.
Army hosted Havelocks at Police Park and the supporters expected much following the performance of the previous week against CR. The loud “Papare” music was more than a traditional Army band and was a sign of expectation. The rain spoilt the possibility of more continuous rugby in this game too. What seemed missing at Police Park was a plough. Probably, it was too early to expect thoughts of the new impetus offered in the budget 2018 to uplift agriculture. The game started with promise, with both sides willing to run the ball and take their chances.
As the rain came down, it was the superiority of the Havelocks forwards that made them the better side. One thing I could not understand was the continuous pick and hit in the latter part of the game with the goal line staring just five metres away. The futility was clearly seen when after about 10 desperate hits and the opponents penalised suddenly the ball is worked down the line and ends in a try. What seemed lacking at this time and also in most teams is a leadership to take and or change the decisions when it demands. Army started off well till half time they had a go at the Park Club. Then things went away from them, keeping them fight for fourth or fifth place. Rain was a spoiler in both games, where Kandy played CR and Army hosted Havelocks at Police Park. Army look like a side that can trouble teams as the tournament moves to the second round as they have skills as well as the stamina to last a game. Navy took on a much improved Air Force side, beating them by 10 points to nil. The men more accustomed to the air were at sea in the wet and soggy ground, at Welisara.
The CH vs Police game ended in a draw, with Police who have been at the receiving end so far putting up a better performance. What does this tell about rugby in Sri Lanka? It is like a state owned enterprise with all expenses and little return!
It points to Kandy who started their rugby in 1888 but made their mark in 1994. They have been dominating from around 1999, winning the title 18 times. CR was established in 1922, whereas Havelocks was established in 1915. CR has won the coveted title 13 times, while Havelocks have been at the top 14 times. CH is the oldest established club since 1892 and the Police have been kings of rugby 12 times, when they shared the plum twice and last had the crown in 1991.
With only eight clubs at the top league, unlike the many in cricket, does the composition offer more competitive rugby that can help us when we play the rest of the teams in Asia? On the other hand is there enough competition which provides exciting rugby that will draw crowds from being attracted or distracted by other events on offer. Just like the cup of tea which is not contributing to life, existence rugby is not the life giver of entertainment. The issue at hand is to make it the life giver that attracts more to the game. In another couple of months, the school season will begin. Most grounds will be attracting crowds and there will be much emotion that will be part of the game. In similar vein, there is always a crowd even for a club game in Kandy.
We move into the sixth week and the interesting games will be CR taking on Havelocks and Kandy playing Navy on Saturday. Then will come the big one the following week, when Kandy play Havelocks. As the points table stands, it is not an easy task to dislodge Kandy from the first slot and it also looks that Kandy, Havelocks and Navy will be the first three with Army and CR battling for fourth place.
Sri Lanka has an opportunity to knock on the window to be at the tier two of the Rugby Junior World Cup next year. Sri Lanka qualified once before and that was in 2001. With Malaysia and Chinese Taipei not taking part, Sri Lanka has a good chance making their way. In the run up, Sri Lanka will play Hong Kong in the first leg of the qualifying round to be played at the Racecourse International Stadium today (December 10). The second leg will be played in Hong Kong on December 16.
Vimal Perera is a former Rugby Referee, Coach and a former Accredited Referees’ Evaluator IRB