A fine forum to spread the game

It was under lights that the Mercantile Rugby Sevens that got under way on Friday the 16th of November. Rugby World Cup and the ASIAD became events now relegated to the background. Back to rugby at home and the Mercantile Rugby Sevens was on show.This year's mercantile sevens were the thirty seventh in the series. Forty one teams took part in the tournament and eighty-five matches were played for the Cup, Plate Bowl and the Shield and a ladies match thrown in on the last day.

The games started on Friday and continued on Saturday with the league games being played. On Sunday as has been in the past was the knock out stage where there was more heat generated with the day being a do or die battle.

When I was told that the matches was to start on Friday from 4 pm and continued up to 10 pm under lights I wondered as to what they were trying to do. Probably, I thought it was to be able to finish so many of the matches over three days on one venue. As other wise they will have to stretch the game to two different grounds. On Friday it turned onto be more than a day to finish off some games. It was a day of difference. To many the most successful of the three days was on Friday. To the sponsors Dialog, Friday night was that would have given them most satisfaction in terms of coverage.

It was not that the best matches were played on Friday. No they were played on Sunday. What I saw on Friday was the background that prevailed around the Longden Place grounds while the matches were played under lights. Of course there was the live band blaring music which added more to the fun that the spectators wanted. The crowds that were present mostly to cheer their company sides were there to enjoy and it seemed they did. Loyalty was on show and it was for the team. The atmosphere was one of enjoyment and the spectator being happy to get the best of the carnival scene had the foods and drinks available to make it a fun evening as the week end began. What was evident on Friday night was that it was an opportunity to spread the game among those who wanted to have a good time. .

As I have previously said rugby competes with many other leisure opportunities that are available, whether it be sports or as a night out in a club or other place of entertainment. It was proved that given the environment the game can and will have a population who want the fun and excitement and get both at the same time. There has been a comment by sponsors of rugby that the numbers are good at some matches and not so good at others. . What is needed is to offer something new and the experience of Friday evening of the mercantile sevens points to what that may be. It was not only on Friday but through three days the games were glamorous with a big wide screen too on the ground.

For those who wished for a good game it was an enjoyable week end. With good rugby was played and in the best of spirits. The tightening of the screws by the Mercantile Rugby authorities to keep out transient mercenaries representing company teams proved good for the tournament. It seemed that all those who played had an employer loyalty and an honour to protect. This in mind, everybody played in the best of rugby spirit with no red cards shown and only the yellow card was seen. . That too was mostly for technical offences than for foul play. There were lots of cheering and lots of shouting for your team. Everybody seemed to mingle happily after the game was won or lost. There were teams who had very supportive and vociferous crowds to cheer them. They continued merrily even if the teams they cheered lost the particular match.

Seylan Bank who won the trophy last year did well this year too. They had a terrific game in the quarter final against Amana Takaful which they eventually won in the last minute. Amana vs. Seylan was virtually the final as both teams did play well. Amana with a young team did well but could not maintain the momentum to repeat the performance later on in the Plate competition. . It seemed they were drained out after the stupendous performance against the Seylan Bank team. Other teams did well were Emjay, John Keells, Commercial Bank and MAS group among others. It was a well organized affair and the Mercantile Rugby Association could be proud that on day three the matches were telecast live from 3 pm onwards. They have more to be proud that with their involvement they have been able to make available opportunities for rugby players to get gainful employment as well as for employed rugby players to get engaged in the game.