The School season is promising with quality Rugby dished out
View(s):“Beware the slides of March” was how the Guardian reported as England’s descent continued with a defeat at the hands of Ireland. In Kandy, it was the lion being bearded in its own den. The Trinity-St Joseph’s clash drew the quote of the week, “Rugby at its best.”
This was by a strong Rugby fan and critique of the game. So did Royal and St Peters, both playing fluent Rugby. I was tempted to ask, “against what are you comparing”? Then I was reminded that a Sri Lanka Men’s squad finished 4th, while the Women finished 3rd at the Borneo 7s. A reason to be happy for spending on the development of Rugby. Still not good enough to compare and say Rugby was at its best. It was the man with the foam spilling on his beard, reminding it was against the recently concluded Club tournament.
Now, with something to weigh against, I had somewhere to start, as these matches were an example of flowing Rugby. Trinity was beaten but not disgraced, as they ran the ball as much as the winning Joes who ran whenever their backs got their hands on the ball. The run Trinity made from inside their 10-meter was one of the best except, they made the passage a little longer, running from the right corner flag to score far left. The tournament, I believe, is not stuck in the hands of those who stayed unbeaten in the first fortnight of Rugby. The fun is just beginning, with Joes, Royal, Petes and Pathana winning in both weeks. Unlike Club Rugby, where one team was clearly ahead, with no chance of being caught.
Schools Rugby will be alive till the last week. Most fans grumble they have to make a choice to watch a game, and yet expect to be able to see another good game, as the live broadcast is made available. The non-broadcast or, not uploading is disappointing many. When inquired why there is a block, the answer was that some schools have objected to live broadcast, though they have managed to convince them, on the basis there will be no upload. What I fail to understand is as to who holds the strings. The SLSRFA is the tournament organiser and the school hosts the game on behalf the organiser. Then, is it not the prerogative of the organiser to call the shots. Let us take the case of any international tournament. Even if Sri Lanka were to host, the call is on those who run the tournament, as in World Cup Cricket or Rugby. This is like the call of the paramour who may be hosting, but who calls the shots?
The Joes-Trinity match started with the lions starting to roll and the Joes looked confused. But settled down as the game aged and started to do what they are good at, running the ball.
The decision-making was good. Trinity to run, but they lost on their inability to kick the ball between the posts, with as much as 5 tries unconverted. Inability to decide affected DSS for a second week running, by a mere 2 points this time. When 3 points is within kicking range and almost by the post, and with 5 minutes to go, what do you do? I fail to see the logic, with the big and strong DSS playmaker opting a tap, may be 10 metres out, and trying to get to the try line, with Zahira providing a strong defense. On the other hand, if another went with the tap and sucked the Zahira forwards and ‘quick ball’ resulted, the big boy may have gone over easy. If you are failing with the forwards hit, why not take the kick at goal. The result would have been different. On the other hand, Zahira played their hearts out and was solid in defense. Unless they groom and manicure in the weeks to come, the presence may not be enough to end up in the 1st 4.
Royal are playing like the League champs and look good for a top spot. They scored a runaway victory over St Anthony’s, and in Kandy. Trinity just managed a win over SACK, and will have a lot to do, as they approach the 1st Round of the ‘Bradby’. Royal continues to play using the strength of a well knit side. They are not sticking to the forwards hits and rolling. Petes did better than the previous week while defeating Wesley in a convincing manner, but Wesley’s 1st try too, ranks among the best of the fortnight. Petes will find it hard to replace Raveen Fernando who, we understand, will be out of action for a few weeks.
The top sides play good Rugby and are not reluctant to run. Given the opportunity, most backs run well. The defense by the backs is exposed, as they fail to catch a running man. This was much seen in the Trinity-Joes match and in the Petes-Wesley match, before Pete’s took control.