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'Go, Kandy Go', will continue its echo
By Bernie Wijesekera
The sleek running Kandy S.C., who won the recent Club rugby 7s, should dominate the year 2003 season, too. The Hill Capital Club were made to struggle in the mid - '80s due to lack of funds and support. They even found it doubly difficult to keep their their dates for Colombo fixtures.

The then secretary of the club Leslie De Zoysa - the 'Jack of all Trades served the club as its secretary for 13 years. Through media exposure about KSC's plight all the clubs in the metropolis including the Police, Army etc., rallied around to help Kandy S.C.with financial assistance. Presently, Kandy S.C, is cruising on balmy waters. In turn they are helping needy clubs.

They have moved from the Log House to White House. They possess a fully maintained playing field (like a billiard table) clubhouse with seating accommodation which could be compared to a mini-Twickenham. This was made possible thanks to the support rendered by those within and outside the Hill Capital.

It could be a worthy headquarters of Sri Lanka rugby with all facilities which exist there. There is tremendous crowd support and they are all well behaved. The past is forgotten. No longer are there Black Sundays at Nittawela. Leslie De Zoysa has not forgotten the past. Meeting him on Jan. 26, whilst watching the inaugural Mobitel Sevens conducted jointly by KSC and Kandy Youth CC. "It was the Sunday Times which spotlighted our plight in 1986. We are something today due that media exposure.

Kandy S.C. held their annual general meeting , their 129th (last Sunday) All office bearers were uncontested. Dr. Sarath Kapuwatte continues to be its president. If Kandy has achieved success it attributes to its professional management to handle its affairs and a pride to Sri Lanka rugby. Other clubs should do well to emulate them with a concerted effort to come on par.

CR and FC, was the only club, that gave KSC a run in the recent Inter-club rugby 7s in the semis. Clubs like CH and FC and Havies with a cherished rugby history behind them must do their homework to surge ahead than languish behind.

Among the Services the Army is emerging with their available rural talent. It attributes to discipline which is their codeword 75 percent of their players had no rugby background, before they joined the Army.

Dr. Kapuwatte, after taking office for the ensuing year was also interviewed. He said, "I am happy to work with a committee, who are totally committed. If I've achieved anything and it is due to an unstilted team effort".

Dr. Sarath has done a good job with his charming ways. In the process dissecting some unwanted frills without let or hindrance. In its wake he has brought about a reconciliation via rugby. He said, credit should go to the entire committee and the membership and well-wishers, who helped to achieve its objective.

In 1992, KSC for the first time won the Clifford Cup during his tenure. Ananda Kasthuriarachchi was the captain. Since then the White shirts have gone hammer and tongs. The club celebrated their 125th anniversary fittingly winning a "treble" Club 7s, Carlsberg league and the Clifford Cup - under Lasantha Wijesuriya This was achieved in 1999.

With Sajith Mallikaarchchi to lead the White Shirts in the coming season they should again be in the forefront. Teenty four-year-old Sajith a product from rugby crazy school Isipathana has been playing for Kandy S.C. since 1999 with distinction. He is a nippy fly-half, one of the best in the country. He played for Sri Lanka in 1997. As a schoolboy he was coached by Leslie de Silva and Kelum Gunaratne. At KSC he comes under the tutelage of former Sri Lanka scurm half, Chandana Abeygunawardena.

Dr. Kapuwatte says that Kandy would be happy to be in the forefront of Sri Lanka Rugby. "Winning trophies is not what matters. We must strive to improve the game at national level.

Vidyartha, first winners of Kandy 7s,
The inaugural Kandy Rugby ''Sevens'' jointly organised by Kandy S.C. and Kandy Youth CC was sponsored by Mobitel. It was worked off on Jan. 26 (Sunday), at Nittawela.Twelve teams took part. Two from N'Eliya (Summerhill and Dimbula), while Matale, and Kurunegala RFC, too took to the scrums. K'gala won the Bowl defeating Dimbula 40-22.

The Cup was keenly contested among oldboys school teams.
The final proved a rousing contest tie between Anthonians RFC and Vidyartha. Running rugby was at its best with the ball moving pendulum - wise, Anthonians showed better rugby skills in the initial half to lead 14-12.

The nippy Vidyartha lads though not physically big made but ran the ball at every given turn. SACK hung on to 21-19 lead. A late rally with time ticking away Vidyratha with two superb tries took the lead and the match to win 29-28 on a cliff-hanger. The Plate was won by Central Prov. RFU, who beat St. Sylvester's. The winners and runners-ups were presented with cash awards, besides trophies. Thilanga Sumathipala was the chief guest and gave away the trophy. -BW

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