Any one for the school’s crown?

What is happening to schools rugby was a question that was asked from me. I said: it was tears, stress and anxiety to some. To others it was smiles and hope, fresh hope. My answer was based on the presumption that they were talking about the schools league tournament and how it stands at present. Trinity losing to St Peter’s puts them down from the high pedestal that they were on. That is being closer to grab the title. The task ahead is no longer an easy race for one team. There are two others rearing and stooping over your shoulder to get to the post. Kingswood and St Peter’s who are one game down are equal as well as capable challengers. For all of them the next few weeks will be crucial. It is a must win situation for all.

St Peter’s have two against games to play. That is against Isipathana and Royal. Trinity have three games left to be played against Royal, Dharmaraja and Kingswood who have to play Isipathana and Dharmaraja in addition. There were others in the running but are being distanced by the three at the top. S. Thomas’ and Isipathana will probably remain in the middle. It looks as though St Anthony’s, Vidyartha and Dharmaraja will remain at the bottom and face relegation. What is going on should be enough for the spectator to enjoy the thrill of the sport not as the whispers suggest. Yet it seems there is more to talk about.

Going back to the question, I was asked; it transpired that it was not the thrill of the sport that directed the question. It was not about who will be there to receive the cup. It had to do with the intrigue of eligibility, directives and Patana. What a lovely way to spoil a season. What flexibility and dexterity we see in these off field moves. I say let the bureaucrat’s sort it out and let the game go on. However I would like to ask whether the system is to be used to lay by a talented boy or is it going to give him that additional opportunity. Many talented sportsmen have not had their heads made for the laborious calculations and stuffing the brain. Yet they have succeeded having got that extra opportunity. However it is not that we should have a policy to cater to an individual. We need in place a policy that will be applicable to all sportsmen.

The game Trinity against St Peter’s drew a lot of interest as the result would have put Trinity above the rest. The party had to be postponed as St Peter’s spoilt it for them. St Peter’s came with a plan to win and executed to achieve it. They were strong in defense and purposeful in attack. They took an early lead of 10 points to nil but ended the first half 10 points to 5. They were later held 10 all in the second half but ended wining 15 to 10.

While Trinity did not have the last minute luck, they had the previous week with St Anthony’s, S. Thomas’, had and held onto beat Isipathana by 17 points to 15. Having led 10 points to 0 at half time they increased the lead to 15 early in the second half. Probably sensing victory the celebrations started too early as they went to a happy mood from a fighting one. Patana took the cue and came close to beating S. Thomas’ who was lucky to win at the end. The Mount side had the talent and did pressurize the opponents with some good running and robust moves. The threes backed the forwards but failed to capitalize on the early lead and had only themselves to blame for the being forced to defend desperately at the end. It seemed to me that the little push that they need to perform is eluding them on the field. Isipathana as has been characteristic of them never gave up. They came back to fight to the end.

Around the club, we see defending champions Kandy ahead while CR follows them like Mary’s faithful little lamb. This week and next week will be very much interesting as Kandy play CH and CR take on the Havelocks. While next week Kandy plays CR and Havelock’s play CH. In last weeks matches the young Havelocks side contained the Kandy side up to around 30 minutes of the second half and were lead 17 points to 3. Eventually they lost 36 points to 6 conceding a 19 point’s in those last ten minutes. CR beat CH convincingly giving the required boost as they face tougher matches these two weeks.

The weeks to come will see action on the fields. Off the field it will be the mills working overtime spinning some wonderful stories. The one mentioned is just one.

Vimal Perera is a former Rugby Referee, coach and Accredited Referees Evaluator IRB