No change in dates: Mercantile Rugby 7s as scheduled

The 40th Mercantile Rugby Sevens will be worked off from October 29-31 at the CR & FC Grounds at Longdon Place. Earlier there was a doubt saying that the tournament will be postponed due to the Malaysian Sevens also taking place on the same time and the national sevens players will have to miss out. Malaysian sevens tournament which is an IRB ranked tournament for the next years Hong Kong Sevens and Dubai Sevens, Nishantha Wickramage, President of the Mercantile Rugby Football Union speaking to Sunday Times said that we have no objection for a postponement of the tournament. Our sponsors Dialog are very keen to work this much important rugby carnival by mid November. Our sponsors are involved in other sporting events during other week-ends. Nishantha further added that “We want to host the tournament at CR & FC and want play a few games under lights.

CR & FC has a tag rugby tournament from 12-14 of November and the club can’t postpone the said tournament due to Dilroy Fernando who is organsing this tournament being out of the country officiating at the Asian Games. He ended by thanking the Secretary of the Union who also offered CH & FC grounds free of charge on these days.

When contacted Shane Dullewa, Secretary of the Sri Lanka Rugby Football Union (SLRFU), he said that already the governing body has written to the CR & FC management for a postponement of the Mercantile Sevens. He also said that CH & FC could be given on the same date and the organizers and sponsors are very keen to host the tournament at Longdon Place since of the Flood Light facility.

There will be two notable absentees from this year’s tournament. Defending champions (2008 & 2009) Emjay International and HNB will not be participating this year. According to reliable sources the defending champions outfit are suffering from injuries to few of their key players.

John Keells will be the hot favorites to win the tournament. Janashakthi Group, MAS Holdings, Access Group and Commercial Bank are the other teams participating in the “Cup” segment.