Pullouts; boycotts, but the game goes on

By Wimal Perera

The “Caltex” league tournament is over. Now it is the knock out and the schools competitions. The knock out will be played without Kandy taking the field. What made Kandy decide this way? To Kandy it is a matter of policy. The reason being that the semi finals and the final played at Nittawela in the past have now changed to Colombo.

The knock out was staged in Kandy for over ten years. The intention of the tournament being taken to Kandy was to revive the game there. The game has reached a state that the main interest of sports fans is rugby. There may be an argument that despite this, there has been no increase in the number of clubs. It may be true. You have to yet consider the number of schools and the numbers the hill capital provides to the national team. Forming and sustaining a club is no easy task. One problem is the retention of players. There being less job opportunities the players migrate to the capital. There is also the lack of finances and infrastructure. If this is thought of as a reason then you have to consider the forming of new clubs in other provinces. The most populated Western Province too has not seen an increase in clubs at the top level. The thinking could be that by bringing the knock out back to Colombo there can be more interest and more followers. This is a wishful but naive explanation. The main reason in my view is the inability of the visiting sides to sustain amidst the heavy support for the home team at Nittawela.

If the game was developed and interest stirred as a result of the knock out played there why not take it to Galle? Will it work? Kandy had a following with the game played in schools even prior to the knock out competition being taken to Kandy. There was a following that was latent and had to be woken up. Taking the game to the hills was a justifiable experiment that proved to be correct. It does not necessarily mean that same will apply elsewhere. The crowds will not be there if they have little or no interest in the game. Therefore the need is to first build up the interest and then take the big game to the provinces.

The other issue that tickled the rugby fraternity was the possibility of Police Sports Club pulling out of the knock out stage. The news was that they were taking part. They have opted out after the draw was announced. This takes Air Force into the semifinals. The Police have decided to stay out because of the demands of service that makes it difficult to release players. However there were reports that the hierarchy was annoyed for not being invited to be present for the launch of the Asiad sponsorship. If this has in any way contributed to the team not playing, it means that petty events have had an influence and are more important than the game. May be somebody gave a wrong impression that Police was left out. This event was for the media and sponsors and no other club was invited. As always, somebody seemed to have given the needed twist to create an atmosphere for a boycott.

The schools season got to a start with a few surprises. Kingswood College Kandy was beaten by St Anthony’s College Katugastota. The Antonians following a defeat in the hands of Isipathana the previous week have done well to overcome the schools champs of last year.

The other Division 1A game saw S. Thomas’ Mount Lavinia beat Ananda in a game that did not produce the climax that was promised as the game started. The way STC started the game a win by a huge margin was expected. Ananda looked a shade dejected and did not have the confidence to be winners. St Peter’s defeated the more fancied Wesley side by a convincing margin. Wesley who dominated most of the time in the first half failed to convert possession to points other than for the penalty that was kicked right early. The Peterites defended while Wesley carried out their similar motions and the next move was predictable. Sensing there being no way out Peterite Meedin thought differently and was successful with a drop kick. With the scores level the Peterrites recovered to succeed.

It was disappointing to see big built centers tucking the ball under the arm and getting caught with no options to pass. If these boys are to continue playing in this position then the skills have to be improved. Playing tap rugby may be useful. In this game you have to hold the ball in both hands do a quick pass which has to be good and get into position. This probably will be a way to improve passing of players who are otherwise talented.