Trinity calls off Zahira match
The Dialog Schools Rugby League 2023 final first round match between hosts Zahira College and Trinity College was not played yesterday at Maradana as scheduled after the visiting team had failed to make its presence the Sunday Times learns. It is said that almost half of the Trinity rugby outfit had experienced a food poisoning, prompting the team officials of the Kandy team to return home on medical advice.
The Zahira team, match officials and organisers were present at the venue for the game, but the Trinity side had not turned up even at the cutoff time, as an official of Zahira stated. The Master In-Charge of Trinity had turned up with an official medical certificate, which had been handed over to the match officials.
According to a team official, the Trinity first XV team had reached Colombo on Thursday, in advance for yesterday’s game, but they were forced to send back the team yesterday to Kandy after nearly 10 of their players were effected by a food poisoning. The Trinity team officials had requested the match to be postponed for a later date, but according to Sri Lanka Schools Rugby Football Association (SLSRFA) tournament guidelines all first round matches of the competition should be completed by July 31.
The match officials have handed their report to SLSRFA, who will issue an official verdict if the match is to be rescheduled or completed with a walkover in favour of Zahira. Attempts to contact SLSRFA officials to obtain their opinion proved futile, as they were not reachable.