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New champions in Mercantile Rugby
By Bernie Wijesekera
Last year's losing finalists to Sampath Bank 'A' in the Mercantile rugby 'sevens' High-riding HNB 'A' the defending champions, has been dominating the Cup championship along with John Keells since its inception of this popular rugby 'sevens'. This was the 33rd annual contest. Dialog GSM, has been promoting sports at national level. This year Dialog GSM has come up in a big way in helping rugby. They have sponsored CR & FC and the Sri Lanka Army in a big way. Especially to the rural youth in the Army.

For the first time they sponsored the M'tile 'sevens' which gave a new facelift to the sport among the private sector firms. The four sections were keenly contested -The Cup, Plate, Bowl and the Shield. Of course the pride of place was the Cup championship.

It was a repeat of last year - HNB 'A' locked horns against the new-look Sampath Bank. The final was expected to be a rousing contest between two seasoned teams. But in the end Sampath Bank coached by Sri Lanka's dazzling centre three quarter Indrajit Bandaranayake - virtually a Sri Lanka 7s team brushed aside all opposition to dethrone the reigning champions HNB 'A' by 28-7, to win the coveted Dialog GSM trophy.

The entire 7s Sampath team playing with much understanding and co-ordination outplayed their opponents. They had the guts, application and the will-power to run the ball at every given turn.

The team apparently could be tagged as a Kandy SC outfit, barring the skipper Old Zahirian and CR & FC's hard-running wing-three quarter Mustaq, who led from the front. There was a towering second-rower Pradeep Basnayake, Sajith Mallikarachchi, Dilip Selvam (who was eye-catching), Chamara Withanage, and Pushpakumara (all donning the KSC jersy). One player though not playing for Sampath this year Duminda de Silva, has played a decisive role for the promotion of Sampath Bank rugby.

In the final Hatton National Bank 'A' was stunned by this runaway win by Sampath Bank 'A'. They won rounds of applause. HNB though vanquished - quick to congratulate Sampath Bank, for their superb effort. It's good for the game said, Fazal Mahmud, a senior official of HNB sports rugby section.

The outcome was forgotten, but brought about togetherness among the rank and file. Further it brought amity among all participants. But one must not forget personality, who sowed the seeds for this M'tile 7s. Capt. George "A society which forgets its past is often in danger of being surprised by the future. Today is what it is, and tomorrow what it might be, simply because of all the yesterdays."

Capt. George and his wife Kusuma did much for sport especially for basketball and netball. His son Krishan a cager player of repute played rugby for CR & FC. The likes of Marco de Silva, Mr Daniel, Tyronne Perera, Wickremage (the present president) will testify to this effect.

Unlike at present in some quarters, apparently officials (for personal benefits), but the past officials worked for the right reasons to bring about mutual respect among all ethnic groups, via sports (reconciliation.)

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