Havelocks-CR rivalry a key event in Havies Centenary celebrations 2014
View(s):Old rivals Havelock met CR&FC at Havelock Park last week and it was another occasion to continue tradition. Havelocks and CR keep alive the core values of Rugby as a game steeped in tradition where its players and supporters enjoy a deep sense of community and involvement. Next year, 2014 will be the centenary year of Havelocks who started in 1914. Roshan Deen is expected to continue as the President, for yet another year, elected uncontested, and is expected to steer the club to greet and celebrate its 100th year. The CR-Havelocks rivalry will be a key event in their celebrations.
Havelocks beat CR&FC last weekend in a Dialog Division ‘A’ match which had more to offer than the rugby action - Pic by Amila Gamage
Havelock’s have taken a new lease of rugby life since last year and would have yearned to beat CR and stay unbeaten in the league and face 2015 as a champion side. For a fair share of the game it looked like CR was going to upset the pre-birthday preparations. The supporters wriggled uneasily in their seats as CR took a slender lead for a major part of the game. Nevertheless Havelocks managed to preserve the unspoiled state to remain unbeaten along with Navy Sports Club.
The smug look on the face of CR fans were pregnant with hope as the score swung 13-12 in favor of CR at the end of the first half, to be snatched back by Havelocks to lead 15-13 with 20 minutes into the second half. CR recaptured the lost composure to lead again by 23-22. The excited cheering of the lady seated close was ample proof that rugby between these two old clubs reminded that it was a game to be enjoyed by all. In the true spirit of the game you cheer your side and nobody asks why. Finally Havelocks finished the game as winners by 29-23 and walked back cock-a-hoop for talk and spirits to cheer. CR was happy in their mind as they had done well to take the fight to the Park Club as compared to the way they started the season. They were happy that it was a game of rugby that was played.
The game was robust and played with a thirst but lacked continuity and was scrappy at most times. It was like the first night jitter as the ball was dropped at crucial times while CR opted to kick more in the second half. The usual ‘we could have done this and we could have done that’ continued into the night as the more important fellowship of two traditional teams continued. The big men must take 
message of camaraderie down the line. The players of the visiting team looked little underdone for the day or they were sulking after the defeat. The ethos, traditions and recreation are much ingrained in the sport despite the professionalism that has crept in. It is not all about the money you make or the cup you win but it is about building a life and in the process making friends. When the tendency is to look over the fence and contemplate a leap if the grass looks green the sense of being a part of the action has to be cultivated. Kandy on the other hand suffered their first defeat for the season in the hands of the Navy. This is also their first defeat in over a decade at Nittawela. The supporters of Kandy as well as the Navy perched themselves early. It was obvious that rugby was very much alive in the hills as the ground was filled over capacity while many had to be turned back. Does it look like Navy has every chance to make it to the top of the league and they have at least three weeks before they meet the unbeaten Havelock’s. The top contenders still remain as Navy, Havelock’s, Kandy, and Army. The next in line will be CR, Police and Upcountry Lions. The games are getting closer and the action in the centre is interesting and will mature with the season.The introduction of citing and the action that follows a judicial process is good for the game. The players must be aware that there is another pair of eyes watching. Safety of players is emphasised very much by the world governing body and is a key factor under player welfare. The introduction and action is beneficial from a national point as we will be in the top five of Asian Rugby. Citing not sighting as some call it is much practiced in the ARFU circuit. Players do things at times that they might feel they can get away with it. It is good when you feel the effect domestically than having to face the consequences at the international game.
SANZAR (the body charged with running two of world’s pre-eminent Rugby Union competitions – Super Rugby and the Rugby Championship) has gone further and introduced a white card where the referee himself can refer an incident he is not sure of for citing. For example the white card was used if there was a potential incident on the field but neither the referee nor his assistants saw the incident, or they had a poor view of it. Using the white card allows a balanced approach, not potentially over-reacting with a penalty or yellow or red cards, but still ensuring that a potential breach of the laws will not go unpunished. According to Lyndon Bray the rugby manger of SANZAR the white card is to show the public that nothing would go unpunished. Typically if players complain – say for biting – and the referee has not seen it the referee can then show the white card in response, so that the Citing Commissioner can be alerted to these alleged incidents. This is a trial by SANZAR and not a universal application but is not a replacement of citing or a pre requirement for citing.
Vimal Perera is a former Rugby
Referee, coach and Accredited Referees Evaluator IRB