According to Jones: Lesson of letting the game flow
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A stiff battle is on the cards today - File pic
The Clifford Cup knock out final will be played today between Kandy and Navy Sports Club. Kandy is poised to extend their hold on Sri Lanka Rugby while Navy has a chance to annex the cup that will support the game among the sailors.
Despite trying hard to talk to keep the game alive it becomes difficult as people try to instill World Rugby regulations which cast a doubt on the eligibility of some appointed to do justice. Do they fall within the framework is what they must ask themselves before asking others. More will be known as time passes. Or is it like “yahapalanya” with the pot calling the kettle black. It is time to remember what a former President of the country said “if you want, assassinate me but don’t assassinate my character.”
In the run up to the final CR emerged winners beating the much fancied CH in the quarters. While CR huffed and puffed during the league the quarter finals was a game that they dominated. What is important is that this not only allowed them a berth in the semi-finals against Kandy but offered something the CR management could sell its membership.
In this game CR got to the breakdown and cycled quick ball denying CH opportunity for turnover. Young Sam Jones the Australian Referee was in charge of this game. Jones in his early twenties is cutting his teeth well and is improved in comparison to what he was last year. He allowed play by managing the phases and the breakdown. This helped CR as the indiscipline of CH at the break down and in dishing dangerous tackles was noticed and sanctioned issued.
The two semi-finals was done by Jones being in charge of the Kandy CR match while Les Hines the 45-year-old ex-prop forward from Durham refereeing the Havelocks Navy match. Both enjoyed a focus on managing the game but in different styles. Jones was fast and quick to the breakdown seeing the obvious early.
Jones a much matured referee controlled the proceedings from a distance keeping his eye on infringements but missing some as he took time to be at the breakdown. Knowing the Sri Lankan style of hands and non release one would have expected more infractions. But players had little questioning as against when a local is in charge. The threshold of tolerance was higher. That was helpful. Jones is expected to be in charge of the final. Good for Jones and for Western Australian Referees. Well this is not new. We had Taiso Hirabayashi, Taku Otsuiki, Scotty Herbert, Harry Mason, Tim Baker and others burning the grass on Sri Lankan pitches and proceeding to the World Rugby circuit. Don’t get disheartened as referees focus for better sights in Colombo while rugby and refereeing is stagnant with the same old eight clubs; around 60 games at the top level. Compare this to school rugby which will excite from the month of March.
The crowds in Colombo in the quarters as well as the semi could have been better. The Havelocks diehards and the Navy bondage filled a little of the huge stands at Race Course. Prominently absent in the semi-final in Colombo were the big names of the organisers. Some of whom I understand has to attend a meeting aimed at developing rugby. That needs effort and concentration as the top clubs tournament comes to an end while the ‘B’ Division is virtually at a standstill. The only people running the ball at this level are the teams from the forces. Hopefully Marso with his mighty frame can lift the Western Province above with his ample shoulders. Let us hope the lights of Western Province will shine One cannot expect much from the other provinces as they are more inactive than active. It is only the gem city who has something going at junior and Women’s rugby. The south is once again looking at a run with Veteran Tony Amit involved.
There is also talk of Foreigners being allowed to play in the local tournaments next year to liven the game. This is like the two sides of a coin that has to be there but will never meet. Foreign players mean more expenses and the question is whether the clubs who cannot even field a second side as the lack of funds is the excuse can raise the burden. The problem reaches the point of no return as some offer high amounts as if to say more you pay a foreigner the better it is. This is what runs the club to the ground. The question of playing foreigners and uplifting the game has to be carefully weighed and bought.