Royal skippers: Ratna Sivaratnam and then 'Duddo' Fernando

The first leg of the senior and junior matches are behind us. The exclusive and elite Royal Rugby Dinner, limited only to those who played for Royal in the Bradby series held the previous night has left many with hangovers. The second leg of the under 17 match is over. The Royal College band has done its stuff in style and received a round of applause. The two senior squads are lined up after their warm up. Old Kalu, his wife Kanthie and their chums are mighty proud. A very rare instance in the Bradby series when father and son have both captained Royal. The school songs of the two great institutions have been sung lustily, echoing through and out of the overflowing stadium. That will be the backdrop when the principals of Royal and Trinity, the chairman of the organizing committee and the Chief Guest for the match step out to be introduced to the teams. Many will wonder who the Chief Guest is. Tall, handsome, still youthful with a full head of black hair (thanks to the quality of water in Jakarta!) and the characteristic and age-old slight stoop. A few hundreds among the several thousands will immediately recognize him as D.N. Fernando who led the Royal side of 1958 which brought the Bradby shield back to Reid Avenue after what seemed a never-ending lapse of six years. There will be mutters and of course catcalls. Dudley, Duddo and for the still mischievous among them B.B.D.N!

Between 1952 and 1956 Royal had a disappointing patch in the Bradby series despite having rugby legends of the likes of the late 'Puggy' Gunaratne and Lionel Almeida, to name only a couple, captaining the side. Mr. Elmo de Bruin, the great Royalist and teacher had given up hope. In his articles to the school magazine he wondered whether we would see the Bradby shield ever again within the portals of Royal. But what could we do when Trinity and their Farm School produced wave after wave of rugby giants. We did put up valiant efforts but Trinity Lions Mervyn Panditharatne, Dhansiri Madugalle, Ana Bandaranaike, Kavan Rambukwella, Lucky Vitharne, Babu Jacob, David Frank, Wilhelm Balthazar, Franklyn Jacob, to name only a few, almost ran circles round us.

After losing the Bradby once again in 1956, Mr.M.T.Thambapillai, the great Trinitian who became a Royal rugby legend as the master- in-charge of the game for some three decades, was a sad but determined man. Sad because on account of the then favourite hobby of Trinitians of collecting Markovich cigarette butts, rugby colours were not awarded to any in the Royal team. The prospect of going into the 1957 season without a single coloursman was daunting. Determined because that was him. In his unforgettable tone and language, he thundered "Bloody hell, we can't even score after crossing the line. We have to do something about our rugby or else the Bradby will stay put in the cold climes of Kandy." A science graduate with a well-trained mind and a chess player of no mean repute, he made his moves. He summoned his rugby captain of 1949, Geoff Weinman, who was the first ever schoolboy to don the then Ceylon jersey and who then went on to dominate the club and international scene. He thumped Geoff on his shoulder and said "Son, I don't care a damn as to how busy you are at work, active rugby or courting girls, but you will bloody well coach the college side next year." Not knowing what hit him but ever obedient to his guru, Geoff spontaneously sprung to attention, saluted and said "Yes sir." A true Royalist to his fingertips he was being given a chance of repaying, at least in some measure, the debt of gratitude he owed his Alma Mater.

Mr. Thambapillai then glanced through the seniority list of the available players and picked on Ratna (Roti) Sivaratnam to captain the side. Why he was nicknamed Roti is another story and had nothing to do with his rugby prowess. Sivaratnam was already showing signs of leadership which have been further strengthened in recent times. Under his stewardship as chairman and CEO of Aitken Spence, the chart depicting the growth of profits of the company, looks like a medium size Palmyrah tree. Medium size because the profits are still lower than the figures of some other corporates. Be that as it may, and reverting to 1957, the choice of Sivaratnam as skipper was an excellent one. Ralph Wickremaratne, one of the finest rugby players Royal has produced, was the obvious choice for Vice Captain. The scene was then set for what hopefully was going to be Royal's revival in the Bradby series.

In the first leg in soggy Bogambara in Kandy, Royal was once again defeated 8 - O. It looked as if all the plans and moves would be of no avail. The then high priests of Royal rugby, "Thamba", Geoff, "Roti" and Ralph put their heads together and made several bold changes in the team in persons and positions of play for the second leg to be played at the CR&FC grounds in Colombo. Critics there were but they were silenced when within ten minutes of play Trinity's 8 - O lead had been erased and the best of two matches was on even keel. Lorenz Pereira, the outstanding all round sportsman who had been lured into rugby by Roti's persuasiveness over evening conversations down High Street, did a neat interception to score under the posts for Maurice Anghie to convert. Royal led 5- O. Then Ralph playing in the line for the first time broke through for an unconverted try. 8-O and Roti kept shouting out "I know you guys will win the Bradby for me." 

He didn't realize what was in store for us. After all, Trinitians play rugby from the age of four. A penalty and an unconverted try and the tally reduced to 8 - 6. The Bradby shield was securely in Trinity's bag but as Roti then kept shouting " I know you guys will at least win the match for me" and then introduced into rugby jargon for the first time in the game's history, "Play like fire." Whilst some of us were trying to decipher this command, Bultjens dribbled the ball for some 90 yards, the like of which has not been seen since then. All of us repeatedly fell on the ball and Roti a half a dozen times in attempts to stall the move but without success. Bultjens crossed the line with the ball at his feet and just fell on it. Trinity had won the match 9 - 8. Roti muttered under his breath "I knew you guys would let me down". What the great skipper didn't realize then was that he had led Royal to rugby revival and as Mr. Bruin wrote "But Royal's rugby had more than established itself'. A hard to come by tribute which Roti proudly shares with his teammates, who in turn still look up to him.

And then to 1958. Ralph Wickremaratne had prematurely thrown in his gloves to be lured into planting. The skipper's mantle fell on Dudley Fernando's broad shoulders and what a great skipper he made. He had also captained the Royal Primary soccer team in 1950. Geoff and "Thamba" were still around and so were many of the coloursmen of the previous year including his predecessor Roti. Dudley's team with the mercurial Maurice Anghie as his deputy was great on paper. A crack three quarter line with the likes of Maurice Anghie, Lorenz Pereira, Tony Rankine, O.G. Samaratunge to name a few. The pack with the burly de Silva brothers, H.S. and Lalith, the late Chula de Zoyza, Roti and Dudley himself as lock forward wearing his permanent scrum cap and the rest of the eight could have matched the All-Ceylon side of that time and in fact pushed back most of the club sides that year. This was not really necessary as R.A. Potuhera, c/o L. A. Potuhera, Potuhera, at the base of the scrum had mastered the art of manoeuvring the ball into the second row without the referee noticing it. This came in very handy in tight head scrums.

The pre-Bradby school games were near chicken feed. St.Peter's for instance was trounced 34-6. That was the game when Dudley did a slow jog over some 50 yards covering even the matting on the cricket pitch in Bambalapitiya, looking without success, for someone to pass the ball to and to take the credit for scoring the try. He was compelled to reluctantly score the try himself. That was Dudley.

But what of Trinity? As is the case even today, all other games pale into insignificance in comparison to the two legs of the Bradby matches. If Royal's side was formidable and confident following the previous year's performance, Trinity's side was awesome. Ken de Joedt (captain) Sena de Silva, Bultjens (again) Azain, Nimal Maralanda, Denzil Kobbekaduwa, Dias de Singhe, Mike de Alwis, Eric Roles and Ken Murray to name a few (phew!). There was concern in our ranks but nothing disturbed Dudley, a trait that has held him in good stead till even now. He has been working in Jakarta for the past ten years or so and when we hear of some debacle there and ring him in concern for his safety his response invariably is "What problem machan". He has always been calm even when others think the sky is about to fall around him. The three of us who went to Dehiwala to fetch him to catch the train to Thalaimannar on the first leg of the school's Indian trip well remember running down the platform at the Fort railway station with our bags et al to jump on to the moving train all because Dudley took his own cool time saying "Cheri", individually mind you, to his father, mother, sisters, brothers and all and sundry who were around.

Back to rugby and Dudley who held a team of outstanding individual players together as a team as only he could. He was tough when the need arose but always a caring skipper. When Potuhera as scrum half dislocated his right shoulder, Duddo's fatherly advice was "don't worry machan, you can pass with one hand". To Pottha's credit he took his captain's advice and did so but then Pottha was hard to beat as a rugby player and even now as a person and a friend. The first leg of the Bradby in Colombo, of course at the CR. Late in the first half, from a scrum on the Trinity 25 yard line (and here I am quoting from the second term school magazine of 1958 where the scribe fails to state that it was a tight head scrum for Royal), a quick clean heel. Forget the hook. The ball moves. Potuhera to stand off Maurice Angie, Lorenz Pereira who had moved in from the other wing, Tony Rankine, O.G. Samaratunge and to winger Lal Senaratne who found himself surrounded by Trinity defenders and then lo and behold there was Lorenz once again to take a short pass to cross the line by the corner flag. All this happened so fast that many in the scrum hardly had an opportunity to witness the try which has been hailed as the best ever in the history of the Bradby series. The conversion was more than difficult. 3 O.

The pace in the second half was no less furious. Tackling of the highest order. Time and again following line-outs, Sivaratnam as wing forward, Pottha and even front row forward Chula De Zoyza tackling the legendary Nimal Maralanda by his ankles. Post scrum tackling was rarely necessary as we were invariably in possession. Over and over again, we nearly made it, only to be beaten back with only a yard or two to go. Finally after a long tussle near the Trinity goal line, Potuhera scores and Maurice Anghie converts. 8 - 0. Final whistle and Royal had beaten Trinity after many moons. Unprecedented jubilation. Fine, but how does Royal hold onto the lead and wrest the Bradby from the Lion's den in Kandy? Impossible said the sceptics. A hectic game. Once again tackling of the highest order from both sides. Nimal Maralanda, Ken De Joedt and Sena de Silva pulling everything out of their well acknowlelged armoury. Attempted drop kicks using the left and right leg, dummies, scissors, hand-offs and what not. Royal's defence held. A nil-all draw. The Bradby shield was on its way back to Royal. Dudley's team had completed the season without the Royal line being crossed even once and had defeated what arguably is one of Trinity's best ever sides. More than half the Trinity side of that year played for All Ceylon within a few years of that defeat.

Back in Colombo, the Friday school assembly at Royal precisely at 9 am. The whole school in the hall and the balconies. Mr. Dudley De Silva, the principal, and staff walk on to the stage from the rear. The assembly stands up and sits down with them. Then from the rear entrance of the hall Dudley Fernando does a slow march. Yes, with that slight stoop, carrying the Bradby shield.

The whole assembly including the staff rise, applauding as never before. Dudley Fernando's greatest moment. He deserved it - a lovable and great leader of men. Our eyes moistened as emotion for our skipper took over from the rough and tumble of rugby.

See you at the second leg. May we witness Champagne rugby in the great traditions of the Bradby series. May Duddo present the shield to the better side.

- Ken Balendra

Lanka venue for Mr. World contest

By Jodie Jenkins

Mr. World would be the biggest global event ever to take place in Sri Lanka claim the organisers. The competition is set to take place in January next year and will continue for two weeks. The events are to be filmed all over the country and will conclude with the final in Colombo. 

Colin Davie the advisor and consultant to the Miss World Organisation visited Sri Lanka this week in order to inspect the country's facilities. "To host a global event of this size the country's hotel base and standard of service needs to be on the ball", said Davie. Whilst here Mr. Davie has been taking the grand tour of Sri Lanka from the hill country to the southern beaches. Greatly impressed with all the wondrous sites that the beautiful country has to offer from the elephant orphanages to Adam's Peak as well as the competent service industry he concluded that Sri Lanka would be the ideal setting for the pageant.

The Miss World Organisation looked into numerous countries when deciding where the event was to be held the main reason for choosing Sri Lanka is its warm and tropical climate. Always confident in Sri Lanka's potential Davie added that now that he had seen the country he was certain that it was capable of holding such an event.

Although the Mr. World Pageant has not yet achieved the same prestige as Miss World the viewing figures are in the billions and keep rising. 

The pageant will be broadcast in nearly 70 countries. To be the host to such a widely globalised event holds enormous benefits for the country. As the backdrop to the event Sri Lanka's natural beauty and international standard in the service industry can be viewed worldwide. 

Taking the example of the Maldives Mr. Davie illustrated how hosting such an event is able to give an enormous boost to the countries tourist industry.

"Last year's Miss Beach World made the Maldives look like a five star glamour destination," said Davie. The event helped to increase the Maldive hotels operating capacity to nearly 100%, even in the low seasons .

At the moment Sri Lanka's operating capacity can stoop as low as 40%. Using Mr. World as a vehicle for promotion for the country can only hold great advantages. The entertainment value of the pageant from the celebrity panel to the colourful performances of the contestants will be able to interest and excite people not only in the show but in the package itself. Mr. Davie recognizes that Sri Lanka does have the capacity for growth in tourism and just needs the same opportunity as that given to the Maldives. The need is to reach the right market and as Mr. World has such large viewing figures in countries such as Europe and Japan, this would be the ideal way to attract a more affluent visitor.

He hopes to include some of the more traditional aspects of Sri Lanka such as the tea plantations and the variety of wildlife.

The event will be franchised by Ceylon Tours LTD., a pioneering company in travel. The experienced fifty four-year-old company is already a part of the Miss World Organization. Details such as other sponsors and exact number of participating countries is yet to be finalised. 

SLARDAR 2001 Rally

Past Rally drivers in the calibre of Pubudu Wickrema, Cassim Wahab, Richard de Soysa, Rizvi Farouk, Mahes Gammampila, Nishan Weerasooriya, Gamini Kavikara, Ashwer Hammin, Javid Wahab, Nalin D. Perera, Surein Abesuriya, Ramez Mahamoor, Dilshad Ansar, Samin Attanayake, Shane Gunewardene, Nazar Sakkof, Allen Hertogges, Andriaz Klauss, Hans Ralf and a host of new drivers are to strive for honours at this Rally. 

The limitation placed on the power of engines of vehicles taking part is intended to provide equal opportunity to all competitors and to create interest. Ability and skill will be brought into focus and provide much entertainment to spectators. 1650cc, 3000cc and 750cc are cubic capacity limits for cars, jeeps and motor cycles, respectively. 

The event will start at the S.De.S Jayasinghe Stadium at Dehiwela on Friday the 6th evening. 

Arun performs best in Pakistan

Airmen get a coach thanks to Dilip...

By Bernie Wijesekera

Today its very survival is due to that "solitary reaper" Vijitha Tennakoon, a keen student of the game and supported by a handful of rugby loving officers who are doing their utmost to keep the game going.

Undaunted despite official commitments, the airmen still continue to play in the 'A' Div., and keep the game alive with a set of green horns mostly drawn from the rural schools.

For grit and determination, they are in luck's way of getting an international coach from Sydney, Australia, in Bryce Cavanagh, who played for the State team, the Warathas. He is in the coaching staff of the Aussie World Cup winning team. He had got the green light to coach the SLAF ruggerites.

Of course it was made possible, thanks to Dilip Kumar, the Vice Chairman of the ARFU, who is doing much for the development of rugby in S. East Asia. Kumar was here to watch the Bradby Shield (first leg) in Kandy was interviewed by The Sunday Times. Dilip said Bryce, apart being a coach was a key member of the Australian World Cup team, coached by Bob Dwyers. 

A strongly built player, of yesteryear, Bryce assisted Dwyers coaching panel. Besides he has an honours degree in Physical education. 

Dilip was earlier responsible in getting Ken Farrington to coach the Sri Lanka Army team also from Sydney, who help put Army rugby on course. Here again Dilip helped his former Trinity schoolmate, Brig. Jupana Jayawardena, who worked the blind side to make it a reality. 

The present Kandy Youth skipper, Shantha Rohana got a real taste of Aussie rugby whilst playing for the Pirate Harbour, due to Dilip's initiative. Kumar has a storehouse of experience and knowledge to administer rugby in a professional manner. He holds a high post in the ARFU. It's sad to mention none of the officials in the controlling body thought of meeting him or getting his advice for the lift of the game here. Apparently they may be more knowledgeable than him.

Dr. Maiya Gunasekera commen-ded Kumar for his ability. He said that during his tenure as President of the SLRFU, it was made possible to organise the annual rugby match against N.E. Territories - a brainchild of Dilip Kumar to make it a reality.

Neville said so 

This was the general view expressed by Neville Abeygunawardena in many of his articles published in The Sunday Times. 

The funds were received. Better late than never. The money promised is to be spent on the nurseries is just peanuts, compared to other Asian countries like what is being spent in Thailand. 

True enough past and present football players should shed their differences apart and join hands to raise the standards and bring it to the level of the 50s and 60s. 

(A detailed article on the causes of the decline will be published next week.) 

Kandy SC too much for CR

By Bernie Wijesekera

Yesterday Kandy SC were all fire and brimstone as they inflicted a 41 points (3 goals, a try and 5 penalties) to 28 (2 goals, a try and 3 penalties) win over CR&FC in a Caltex League first round rugby tie at Longden Place yesterday.

The mobile Kandy 'eight' handled the ball with precision and had the edge over their red shirted rivals. Winning much of the good-ball in the lines out and in the set-pieces, the Hill Capital team could have chalked up a bigger score if they had run the ball a bit more often. Their line was sleek and skipper Nalaka Weerakoddy often formed the overlap to have the CR defence guessing. Pradeep Basnayake and Asoka Jayasena stood out in the lines out.

Skipper Weerakkody, who led with authority had a big hand in the match by contributing 21 points with his individual brilliance. His kicks boomed to touch and he had a hand two of the tries CR scored as well.

Even though CR lost, they played well with an inexperienced eight, barring workhorse Savantha de Saram.

Viraj Prasanna, Shamly Nawaz and Asanga Rodrigo were the pick. In the last line fullback Chintaka Nanayakkara was found wanting. Midway in the first half old Thomian Chirantha de Zoysa replaced him and he proved himself adequately.

CR started off with a bang by scoring a try from the kick-off through prop Wijesuriya. Bandula Mallikaratchchie added the extra points. (7-0). Kandy hit back with a penalty put over by Weerakkody. Another spot kick by Weerakkody made it 7-6. With the Kandy forwards in the offensive and Weerakkody joining the line, another try resulted. This time Haris Omar crashed over and Nalaka added the extra points. Another penalty by Weerakkody made it 16-7. A deep kick by Nalaka and the ball was in CR territory. In the ensuing line-out, Haris Omar bulldozed over. Nalaka added the extra points to lead 23-7.

Undaunted CR hit back. Off a scrum close to the line scrum half Bohoran corkscrewed his way from the blind side to score a smart unconverted try 23-12. Bandula Mallikaratchchie put over a penalty to make it 23-15.

It was an excellent first half where 38 points were scored. The red shirts added some sparks with the kick-off by putting over two penalties by centre Bandula Mallikarachchie. 23-21. But Weerakkody, with a beautiful chip to the deep, saw winger Radhika Mallikaratchchie show a clean pair of heels, to score a corner-flag try to increase the lead to 31-21. Nalaka put over another penalty to take firm control at 34-21.

CR hit back strongly after three scrums close to the KSC line. In the end they were awarded a penalty try when KSC 'killed' the ball. Mallikaratchchie added the extra points. 34-28.

TODAY: Kandy Youth take on Havelocks at Nittawela and CH&FC meet Army at Galle Face.

In Brief

Thamba press box

Former Royal Rugby Captain and coach Geoff Weiman will be the Guest of Honour at the opening ceremony.

Mr. Thambapillai, was the Master-in Charge of Rugby at Royal College for nearly 30 years.

All Royalist ruggerites who played during the years Mr. Thambapillai was Master-in-Charge are requested to be present at the opening ceremony, according to C.R.(Bulla) de Silva Captain of the Royal College 1968 team and a member of the organising committee.

Yasas does well Down Under

He had a very successful season in Melbourne for the second successive year representing Brighton Central and Marian's Clubs in weekend competitions conducted by the city Morrabian Cricket Association.

In Saturday competitions representing Brighton Central he has scored 412 runs averaging 41.05 and taking 15 wickets winning the best batsman award and the Club championship for two consecutive years. In Sunday competitions representing Marians he scored 431 runs averaging 49.05 and taking 18 wickets. He has been appointed Coach/cum player 2001/2002 season representing Brighton Central as a professional.

Trials to be conducted to pick National Football Pool

The first trial will be held on (Sunday) today at the Weegulawatta Stadium in Gampola. The respective league could nominate five players. The second trial will be held on July 7 and 8 at the People's Park, Kurunegala. The date for the trials to be held in Galle/Matara and Colombo will be notified later.

Meanwhile the Football Federation will be conducting a women's 7-a-side tournament in July/August this year. The teams wishing to participate should contact the League Secretary or FFSL at the headquarters at Reid Avenue.

Sharp FA Cup Football pre-quarter finals

The matches scheduled are: June 30th - Saunders Vs Hyline SC; July 1 - Youngsters Vs Winners SC; July 2 - AirForce Vs Police; July 3 - Ratnams Vs Maligawatta Youth; July - 5 Navy Vs Renown; July 6 - Army Vs Java Lane SC; July 7 - Negombo Youth Vs Old Bens; July 8 - Victory Vs Blue Star SC.

Elmo wins Pool league match

Roshan in consistent form 

In the Under-15 tournament Roshan showed pleasing batting form to notch up three centuries in the Division 1 tourney and also added up a century for Kenaliys CC in the BCCSL Division 3 tournament.In bowling Kanchana Gunawardena captured 4 for 21 and Tharidu Perera claimed 3 for 16 in bowling out Isipatana for 108. 

Scores:

Isipatana 108 all out in 49 overs. (C. Ranawanna 27 not out; Tharidu Perera 3/16, Sandeep Rodrigo 2/20.) D.S. Senanayake 109 for 4 in 30 overs. (Roshan Kulatunga 60 not out, Milinda Silva 16; O. Nawarangodagedera 2/16.)

Royal College Group of '91 - 10th Anniversary Get-together

Royal College Group of '91 will be held its 10th Anniversary Get-together on Saturday, 7th July 2001 at the BRC Grounds at Havelock Town from 8.00 p.m. onwards.

This year's Get-together will be even more entertaining with a galaxy of well-known singers and musicians providing toe-tapping music, western and oriental live dance performances including a breath-taking "Fire Dance" will liven up the evening.

Prizes and surprises galore will make the dinner a night to remember. For more details and tickets, contact Anshal on 077-308140 or Niroshan on 077-329524. According to the Organizing Committee, the proceeds of the Get-together will be in aid of the College and Social Activities.

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