It was a good weekend for local rugby
View(s):Last week’s records of rugby show some interesting events starting with the clash of the Titans at Longden Place which was not limited to thunder. Both teams raised hell and dust amidst sparks that flew. The pavilion and the terraces were packed to capacity. The crowd expected a good game between Isipathana and St. Peter’s. Rugby was not dead and the huge following were not disappointed. The 32°C degrees temperature in Colombo would have been cooler compared to the heat among and within the spectator.
The Isipathana-St. Peter’s game was a fitting school rugby game - File pic
The pace of the game and determination of the players was witnessed by the large crowd who were present. Most were happy to have watched a thrilling game except for one or two who had something to complain. The continuity of play was good, the stoppages were less and the ferocity had play being stopped for around 9-10 times to attend to injuries and seven of them were in the second half.
Some stops took long and the time lost was made up in the half. Peterites scored on the bell of playing time and the late effort was converted to make it 25-all. Normally a game between these arch rivals could have ignited at the slightest touch of the wrong nerve as history records. The game during the week did not let any animosity to be raised as lusty roars were sung to air. The cheers should be to the crowd that enjoyed a good game and the boys lived to relive a memory in their lives. The penalty count in this match increased from eight in the first half to a total of 22. The increase was mainly ones that went with the tempo of the game where the numbers of high tackles and not been 10 was part of a highly tensed game. The yellow cards were issued to calm nerves and everybody dispersed happily as the referee walked out of the field very peacefully having blown the final whistle. Contrast to this, reports of other indicated attempts to muscle referees which do not augur well for the game. Specifically when as a leading school you have set a standard not only for the young boys but to the community and the world. Rugby is not just a game, it is a way of life. This is where the authorities involved must look inwards and correct the miscreants in the interest of the young who might be classed as being abused as they are led astray. It was appalling to understand why: when heaps of dirt is in your eye you try to see a spec in another. This column or the paper will not be intimidated to tell the truth in the 
interest of the game and the young who should not be led astray. Neither do I need to explain why donkeys bray and dogs bark. If somebody wants to find out how this paper used the word “Rugby Advisory Committee” in an article all one has to do is ask what the school official said to the referee in the dressing room as to who wanted an explanation .
The tension of the school league should be on who will win the championship and not who does what and who will do what to win a game and that is not rugby. Today will be the key game to decide on the league winners. Isipathana who have one draw and remain unbeaten will host Kingswood who has one loss and one draw. Waiting for their chance is Trinity who has a chance only if Kingswood win this game.
The club rugby started with Sevens that was won by Havelock’s who last won this trophy in 2001. The other finalist was CH&FC who was in the doldrums last year. CH has been strengthened by the entry of some players who played for now defunct Upcountry Lions. The good side is that CH, one of the oldest rugby playing clubs will be continuing the game.
For Havelock’s it is another winning a start and their game against Kandy in the semi-final was the best of the two days matches.
On the other side community rugby took an upward turn with a Rugby Rumble for tag rugby between old boys of two age groups over 25 and over 35. The matches were played at Havelock Park and the participation was good and the atmosphere was one of a carnival. It was a good two evening outing and fun for players of an era long gone to history. That is the era of fun and love of the game. This time around they were with their wives and some with children as against the girlfriends. The idea of having two girls in each team added more spice to the game.
Most of them who I spoke to was in agreement that today the players lack enjoyment of the game and seem to be pressured to no end. The fun they have even today is the friendship and acquaintances they built while playing. The presence of comical characters who don’t understand the future of the young lose both the match and the game.
Vimal Perera is a former Rugby Referee, coach and Accredited Referees Evaluator IRB