League Champs Kandy have no equal
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So...it's Kandy all the way again...unblemished - File pic by Amila Gamage
The Dialog Rugby League Championship has been done and the Cup needs no dusting as Kandy SC have been crowned for another year. One cannot say they bamboozled their opponents, but knocked them out 12 times, with two more matches to play, and 24 points and 4 wins ahead of their nearest rival, there is no way for another contender to the crown. The fate of the Cup being decided with two more weeks of Rugby on hand, is worth pondering. Unfortunately, those who are supposed sit and ponder, only s**t and fart like thunder.
The irony that needs attention is that, Kandy is 24 points ahead of their nearest rivals who are eyeballing one another for 2nd and 3rd places. Navy and Havelocks are the two teams in the wings to decide those places. CH and CR are battling for the 4th and 5th slots. Havelocks, who have had two tough weekends, with one being in Kandy, will have it tough to keep their place in the top 4. Some do think there is a game on hand among equals, but hugely unequal, when one looks from an angle of competitive Rugby.
Kandy, which is hyped as a team that is comfortable playing on home turf, proved they could be as good or, even better, in Colombo. Playing Navy at Welisara and coming out on top is no easy task. But in making certain of annexing the Cup with two weeks to go, Kandy went into a commanding 34-3 at the break. The final score was 41-17, as Kandy seemed to have relaxed, knowing there was no chance of a slip between the cup and the lip. They had secured the match, bonus points as well as the Cup.
What is important for Rugby is to look at the huge points difference, which places Kandy in a position to even throw away the next two matches and still be champs. The challenge for Kandy is to remain unbeaten, and this is what they will want. A complete annihilation is what they would want, not just a Cup that they have already won.
The issue at hand reflects a series of dilemmas for international competition, which the Rugby authorities have struggled to navigate. The development of the game has been sporadic and limited, with little growth of domestic competitions. And the domestic competition has little competitiveness to offer to face better opposition. This has been amply seen in the recent Dialog League that has a team up front, with the rest way behind. The usual answer will be about the absence of a level playing field. This is as bad or wonky as the wonky bounce of the oval ball because, over the years, what have you done about it. These issues are mirrored in the stuttering growth of the international game. The malaise will also stunt the local game, which has a stagnant 8 clubs over a period of almost 3 decades. How long will Clubs tolerate the lack of results, when the spending comes from members and sponsors?
Of the Provincial Unions, Western Province (WP) has been more active than the others, with their Annual General Meeting re-electing M.H. Marso as President for a 2nd year. Thusitha Peiris, who was Deputy President, withdrew, as he was contested by Niranjan Abeywradena from the Police. Sources close to WP say that Peiris was in the provincial union for around 6 years. He served in various capacities including its Treasurer, and was then appointed Deputy President. In recent times, he was a live wire in the Provincial Union, handling tournaments and bringing in sponsors. Some think it was his outspoken nature that resulted in him being contested. If he was laying the Golden Eggs in the WP, for the sake of Rugby, it is hoped that Platinum Eggs will be laid in the future, as WP is a key element in Rugby development in Sri Lanka. Waruna de Silva continues as Secretary, while his challenger, Admiral Hettiarachchi was ruled ineligible. Time will tell us whether the Peiris factor has been replaced to keep the game competitive.
There is much talk about the kick that was disallowed and whether 60/90 seconds is the time allowed.
The kick must be taken within 1 min and 30 sec (90 seconds) from the time a try has been awarded. The kick must be taken within 1 min and 30 sec, even if the ball rolls off and has to be placed again.
Sanction: The kick is disallowed if the kick is not taken within the time allowed.
If the ball is kicked or thrown away, the time taken to retrieve the ball is included in the 90 sec, if the scoring team kicked or threw the ball away, while it is not included, if the defenders kicked or threw the ball away.
Jubilation sometimes makes players of the scoring side to take a celebratory kick, without realising they are eating into the 90 sec.
On the other hand, in a recent match between Montpellier and Clermont, with Jerome Gracias officiating, there was a try scored with 2 min (78.04) before the 80 min was up. Ruan Piernnar, the kicker had time till 79.33 to kick and win, while Clermont had less than 30 seconds to restart. The kick, plumb in front, could have been finished in less than 30 seconds. The kicker took his time, sipping water and placing the ball on the tee, while Gracias looked at the time ticking, and got confirmation from the timekeeper that the clock was right. He put it over almost on time, using the provision of the law. Would you have asked the kicker to hurry up? I doubt you can, as per the law. Changing the law to 60 sec some say, will be better, so as not to waste time. If it has still not been done and the kicker is within the law, though you may be frustrated if it was you at the other end.
Vimal Perera is a former Rugby Referee, Coach and an Accredited Referees’ Evaluator IRB