The first day of the Carlton Super Sevens rugby tournament saw some interesting matches being worked off at the Bogambara Stadium yesterday.
 |
| Gayan Weeraratne of Sabaragamuwa Stallions evades a tackle by Boyd Justin but is hotly pursued by Niranjan Wickramaratne of Central Kings who had a wonderful first day at Carlton Super 7s which began yesterday in Kandy. |
Central Kings, led by dashing Sri Lanka fly half Fazil Marija, won all their matches to have a clean slate. They also ran up the highest total of the day when they totaled 45 against the Uva Vipers.
It was good to see the local players matching up to the foreigners. This can only benefit country's rugger players and will go to improve standards all round. It was apparent that players in some teams lacked a bit of understanding.
They were dealing with a foreign coach and the language must have been a barrier. However the importance of tournaments such as these is that they provide a tremendous fillip for youngsters to play alongside international players.
It was not one way street however, as Wilwara, Jabbar, Chanaka Chandimal, Vishvamitra Jayasinghe and Sajith Saranga excelled and played as well as some of the foreigners.
Fijians Ratu Osea Ramodi and Nasoni Rakobian, playing for Jaffna Challengers and Western Warriors respectively, were an absolute delight to watch. It could be said that their very unconventional hair styles added to the glamour.
Today, the rugby should step up a few notches especially if Central Kings clash with Amjad Buksh's Southern Sharks.
Results
Sabaragamuwa Stallions 35-Western Warriors 7; Central Kings 26-Eastern Eagles 7; North Central Typhoons 21-Northern Gladiators 21; Jaffna Challengers 24-North Western Blacks 14; Uva Vipers 19-Sabaragamuwa Stallions 12; Eastern Eagles 22-Sabaragamuwa Stallions 14; Southern Sharks 21-North Western Blacks 14, Southern Sharks 21-North Western Blacks 14; Northern Gladiators 26-Jaffna Challengers 7; Central Kings 24-Western Warriors 7; Uva Vipers 26-Eastern Eagles 17; North Western Blacks 28-North Central Typhoons 12; Central Kings 26-Sabaragamuwa Stallions 12; Uva Vipers 19-Western Warriors 14; Northern Gladiators 26-North Western Blacks 12; Southern Sharks 19-North Central Typhoons 7.
|
E-mail
