Sports

Sports

Kandy the only focussed lot!
By Vimal Perera
Rugby is a simple game. Indeed so, if the players have all the skills required. This question rings in my mind having watched the quarter finals and the semi finals of the Clifford Cup knock out tournament. Bar Kandy sports club who seemed to be focused on winning another title, the other contenders seem to be carrying out the motions as though they were lazy after a long season. The inability to hold on to the ball, to pass and to go forward seemed to be the problem of the loosing sides. Kick if they did never seemed to reach the intended purpose. Even when you had the ball you lost possession in the melee. The skill levels displayed was not that which one expects from a club that intends to win and the will to win seemed absent.

Despite the stars not dazzling and the ball not being held the crowd present at Longdon Place for the match Havelock’s taking on Amy Sports club managed to keep the fans on edge. The semi final between the Kandy Sports Club and Army Sports Club was an interesting contest with Army taking the lead at a stage. The scores remained close with the possibility that Army may upset the league champs. With around twenty minutes to go to the end the Army SC team lost focus in getting involved by disputing the referee’s decision. What did the players expect by asking the touch judge to tell the referee to change his decision? One of them a national player, it seemed did not understand the simple things.

The period of stoppage of around 12 minutes made Army Sports Club loose its way. Particularly one noticed players being attended to for cramps after the re-commencing of the game. The Army team failed to keep the warmth and the concentration that had been developed to this time. They seemed to have forgotten the purpose of their presence! To Win!. Whereas the Kandy SC players kept themselves calm and proceeded to a win the game and to enter the final and get another opportunity for another title.

There was no need for a dispute at this stage. Equally uncalled for was the “water boy”, as alleged, to be on the field and attack a match official. Equally bad was the spectator who threw a water bottle at the officials. Water boys during games have been a law unto themselves running into the ground at will. They also run in when a penalty is taken, not understanding that there is no stoppage.

The numbers who run into the field are more than that should be permitted. The CR and FC vs CH and FC game played to determine the other slot to the final turned out to be a tame affair. With CR not playing anywhere close to the form they displayed during the league it was CH that emerged winners. Loosing the league title does not mean you have lost it all. The will should have been to win and the chance to show what you are capable of. The lack luster performance has given the edge for Kandy to say with confidence, we are the best.

The game tends to be played beyond the playing enclosure. It is being discussed long after the final whistle. The quest for obtaining victory citing technical reasons seems to be popular. Never asking, did we play well enough to be winners? The number of protests has been with promise of evidence to prove its point. None seem to have been successful so far. Yet, let us have another shot.

Today Sunday 4th September will be another day of hope for Kandy Sports Club who will go all out to win the Clifford Cup. C H who has had ups and downs during the season will not take things lying down. They have the players and the potential to challenge and even upset the hopes of the Kandy lads. Fans from Kandy will be in numbers at Nittawela. I am sure they will see a good game of rugby. So will those who will be watching the game at home on their small screen.

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