The rugby of last week maintained equation as in a balance sheet with no shocks. Havelock’s were taken apart by Upcountry Lions before they heaved a sigh of relief as the final whistle was blown. Havelock’s eventually won the game by 36 points to 25. It was a good game of rugby that made the [...]

The Sundaytimes Sri Lanka

The ghost of floodlights haunts league champs

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The rugby of last week maintained equation as in a balance sheet with no shocks. Havelock’s were taken apart by Upcountry Lions before they heaved a sigh of relief as the final whistle was blown. Havelock’s eventually won the game by 36 points to 25. It was a good game of rugby that made the female factor to forget them and the lusty cheers pushed the heroes of the Park Club. It was an entertaining game that kept the spectators happy. It was all spectators who liked the game and not just the females who cheered the brawny men in the chocolate and pink jerseys.

The reigning league champions remain unbeaten but are haunted by the ghost of the flood lights that did not perform and are behind Navy the other unbeaten team. Navy got the better of Army and retain the top position in the league table after seven weeks of rugby.

Kandy the other team that can still have a try at the league title massacred the Police team at Police Park beating them by 62 points to 6. Air Force finally had victory coming their way as they beat CH by 27 points to 22. The flying machines will not have to be last at the end of the first round. To CH a once mighty giant the road is closed. The sore point at Havelock Park was the ‘bomb’ crackers that went off in regular interval that was not just a nuisance but a hazard to the young boys and girls, the ladies and many an old stalwart.

Did somebody say that the sudden blast made a version that has passed the best before date gasp and the dentures fell off! The good side is that the hierarchy was heard telling the members that there is a need for control and caution.

In a rare event in these times the media as well as the commentators seated in cozy seats or a bar stools had a good word for referee Jamaldeen who handled the Havelock’s and Upcountry Lions match. That I believe is a plus point for the referees society for having taken a chance with a referee though experienced had not taken the whistle for seven weeks. Probably a decision that had to be taken in the interest of the game as fitness alone is not adequate for a referee. It was about management, communication and on field conduct which got the respect of players.

The sad thing is that when people have to come back from virtual retirement; there is a real problem. The only way out is for most of you out there to try taking the whistle than continuing to find fault. I remember an advertisement in a top five rugby nation which read “Rugby needs you, Can you make the difference: Join Rugby Referees”.

CR still wants the howler try annulled and the points given to them. I don’t think that is a plausible course of action that can be followed. Both practically as well as the laws and regulations are concerned the score will stand. Argument for; quote the Isipthana vs Royal matches of early 1990s as well as the schools section decision last year to withdraw the try allowed by the referee. When decisions are taken for immediate results or to please these can be used as precedence at a later date. The folly lives long after the life in office of those who push such decisions.

The effects of a decision taken at the Navy vs CR match are still being discussed in between the cup, the lip and the next fill. This however took a back seat after the Havelock’s vs Upcountry match. What I don’t understand is the continuation of some who don’t seem to understand the issue on hand and seek any past concern in an attempt to mitigate. Note I call ‘mitigate’ and not justify as this is impossible.

Recently I received by mail an article written in 2004 by YC Chang titled ‘Premadasa Trophy Rugby Tournament’. I wondered why I was sent this by a few and I read on. The article among other things refers to an incident in the 1989 when the referee did not spot a touch judge flag and continued play which made the touch judge put his flag down and CR scored and won the match.

This is when I realised that some are trying to draw a parallel to an incident today to what happened 25 years before. This mail has also been received by some in the SLRFU. An official commented sarcastically that some are trying to compare Pol (coconuts) with Pepol (pawpaw). You stick your finger in the wrong place then you got to clean it up was how another explained. There is no point in trying to find out who else had put the finger and say this happened before.

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

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