Sports

"Rugby is a good occasion for keeping thirty bullies far from the center of the city." - Oscar Wilde. If this was true, why is it that fans come to see and cheer their favorite teams in action? It is because they love the sport and the excitement it brings. They also like to see those who play and the rugby company they keep. There has been an encouraging turnout at the matches as the club season which began on the 26th of May.

The first match was between Police and Jawatte Lions in segment B. The Police beat the Lions 46-18. On Saturday CR and FC were hosts to Army Sports Club in the first match of segment A of the tournament.

The games played may have not produced excitement in the form of flowing rugby. The matches in this segment were however close affairs providing some thrill for the fans.

The CR and FC supporter would have been disappointed with the performance of the team as Army stretched them before CR went on to win by 26 points to 16 points. Army played well in this game. They have moved away from the era of making errors in the basics of the laws of the game. What let them down was the weakness of their front row. With more exposure they will improve as the season progresses. The CR and FC too with an abundance of talent will click to the maximum in the matches to come. The first game, as it was, the engines are yet not well oiled. I am sure they will be and more action is expected.The much talked about game of the weekend was the one between Havelock Sports Club and CH and FC. Havelock’s lost to the CH by 15 points to 13. All credit to the young lads of the park club who were leading up to the last minute of the game with no big names and no stars. The spirit in which the game was played tells a lot about the character of this young and inexperienced team. They could be winners in the making though it may not happen this year. One wag commented they will play well and attract the attention of others. As they do better others will take them over. Hopefully this will not happen.

Much was expected from the CH side with experience and national players in the team. The young inexperienced Havelock’s side did not come to the park with the idea of giving into the more fancied side. There was a lot of spirit in the Havelock’s and this was that made the CH huff and puff till the end. The show by Havelock’s in this match will give them greater courage as they meet the others in the matches of the first round.

In segment B the Dimbulla / Dickoya side battled the Air Force and lost 44 to 5. In Galle the Old Zahirians beat the Galle club by 22 points to 7.

While the teams in segment “A” seem to be evenly matched the same cannot be said of those segment B. The former “A” Division clubs are ahead of the newcomers to the league. These same clubs are not in par with the teams in segment A. It seems that the gap is a huge one. This has to be bridged through development as we progress.

While the preparations were under way for the commencement of the league there was excitement off the field. The stories flying around were that the CH may not take the field. That was adequate to fuel speculation. This led to more and newer versions of the buzz. After all it is par of the excitement.

I disagree with the thoughts of Oscar Wilde, the master of wit that rugby keeps out bullies from the city. Yet I wonder whether the bullies are hanging around where rugby is played. The reasons for my thoughts are because of what is happening off the field. This does not involve players but spectators. In the recently concluded Schools Western Province under 15 / 16 tournaments there were adults harassing the young players from Royal College after their win. The persons responsible were apparently parents from the other school. The schools section for rugby football should take note of the situation. Any adult laying a hand on a young student is unacceptable. In sport it is unpardonable. Organizing tournaments is good. The well being of the younger persons who play in these tournaments are more important. Rugby is a physical sport, but, the sprit in which it is played leaves no room for the use of physical violence.