Is Sri Lanka’s Sevens Rugby in the right direction?
View(s):The Inter-Club Sevens which was played last week followed by the Mercantile Sevens and the SLRFU Under-20 Sevens. 12 teams from seven clubs took the field. CH&FC who failed to keep to their assignments last year was a notable absentee. Will it be that we will not see one of the oldest rugby playing clubs CH&FC again?
Similarly when you look at the clubs that participated in the Club Sevens it was limited to seven and Peterson from the Division B. Peterson deserves a mention as come sun or rain they are on the field whatever the tournament is. With only two provinces involved actively it looks like the hope of development through a constitution that says the Union consists of Provincial Unions is not forthcoming. It looks as though there has to be serious thought in looking at a different format in the future is bleak other that the nuisance value the provinces will provide.
There were seven Division ‘A’ clubs participating while Havelock’s, Police, Navy and Army fielded two teams each and the last spot was taken by Peterson SC. CH was a notable absentee and probably will not take the field during the league season. CH players were seen donning the jersey of various clubs and Petersons did benefit. Peterson, a Division ‘B’ club is always there whether it be sun or rain but a tournament is on.
It was only clubs from the Western Province and Kandy from the Central Province that took part in the tournament this year. Seven clubs from the Western Province were in the fray and one from the Central who eventually ended as winners took part. Western by virtue of the number of clubs as well as other tournaments they conduct has become the major stakeholder of Rugby. Kandy though not large in numbers has a say in Sri Lanka Rugby through sustained performance.
There will be teams from the provinces playing in the Division II where most will lay there with no competition that can be offered to the top teams. It is indeed a matter for review by the hierarchy of rugby whether there is a need to have a relook at the constitution because despite the provincial system was brought into effect almost 25 years ago nothing is available other than those who were there under the old constitution. Will the provinces contribute to develop top rugby or will they only provide a nuisance value is a point that has to be looked at.
The Club Sevens saw the emergence of a number of young talent and that is good news for sevens rugby as what is needed is young fit, and speedy athletes. A feature was making quick ball available at the breakdown which cannot happen unless you have fit and fast players who get there and do what has to be done. The tendency to slow the ball until your players arrived was less and the need for that was less as players were able to get there. Another fact was delay and sealing till your players arrived was penalized and players understood what was expected and did what had to be done.
The players were disciplined in their approach and also the tournament went off with only a few yellow cards issued and mostly for repeated infringements and or the use of delaying tactics. While players are getting about their job it is those on the benches and sometimes the hierarchy that sets the spoilt example by their antics. They do not realize that these actions and antics will only have a negative impact. There was one player of a whining team who always has to look at the bench when a decision is given against. This lost valuable seconds in which time the opponents had gained possession, space or territory as game did not wait for the player to get back to where he played last.
Kandy SC romped past Havelocks in the final with some positive and coordinated play. Havelocks on their way to the final had an easy passage. Kandy SC on the other hand puffed a lot before they beat CR&FC, who made an unforced error when they could have consolidated. Kandy in this game looked as though they were feeling the heat as CR defense was stout. This is something that Havelocks should have taken into account and capitalized in making Kandy feel tired. They did not do so in the final and gave Kandy the first trophy of the year 2015. The games were played under lights on both days and Kandy has a better breeze across the ground during the final. The final was worthy and was worth watching for those who dared to be present. The same whining on match official decisions continues and a choice comment when questioning a decision was that we have to answer as it is out job. That is the crux that creates all the problems. But you forget the fact the ‘tries’ are scored mostly due to errors of judgment or as a result of decisive moves carved out.
* Vimal Perera is a former player, coach, referee and an IRB Accredited Referees’ Educator