Up & Under by Chandrishan Perera for Daily News
March 2018 has in every acceptable sense, been and unforgiving 3 weeks of unforgettable rugby …both int`ernationally and domestically.
The mind is buzzing with thoughts of pleasing performance and missed opportunities that for us mere mortal islanders, is tough to absorb and accept inevitable realities.
Sri Lanka 7s was ideally placed in Borneo, both men and women setting up record scores and good impact on day 1.
The Singer school league full of surprises and heaps to look forward to…….tantalising match-ups looming larger than all we imagine, making each weekend a must see story for the entire school season.
Let’s map the matches so far and the shocks that might be measured on a rugby Richter scale….TMO, pundits and old boys unions combined?
Much has been written about the quality and delivery of the schools listed and what we can expect each subsequent week of this relentless season.
Huge emphasis on the captains and coaching staff being able to deliver under pressure and despite the odds stacking up.
The story given lots of mileage both in Kandy, above sea level and in the city of Colombo…Oceanside.
Many questions remain unanswered about the journey both ways and the altitude factor …that in theory, could affect performance come the 70 minutes match time …and the referees timing device.
Life in the middle, with the tech support, less to jeer and more to cheer!
The island’s enormous fan base very defined about the national 7s teams out for the first time this year in national colours.
The regular Malaysia opening an ideal platform to launch our men’s and women’s Asian series ranking ambition.
The traditional story has been our skill and confidence to step up against club teams from Australia, NZ, Fiji and Samoa …this year’s side with only skipper Muthuthanthri as a senior…..
Danushka Ranjan, Dharmapala, Wilivera, Ratwatte Nigel, Anthony, Weeraratne etc…still nursing injuries from the club season and unable to make the trip to Malaysia.
Naturally, despite some solid work, we had to settle for a Plate finals with both teams.
Slightly longer faces from Randika, the women’s skipper, starting the tournament as defending Cup champions, and with Perry to finish, missed former captain and useful utility from Thanuja W. Thailand beating us by one score to challenge Hong Kong in the Borneo final. Both team gain experience and plenty to look forward to on the Asian circuits.
Our 7s ambitions are realistic, with fair praise and more from rugby chief Asanga, enjoying the skill, pace and defence, by both teams …with much to look forward this Asian series…
7s is our way forward in world rugby…an ambition that has grown in colour and stature over the last few years.
My journey starting way back in 1982,…and plenty to write home from the Hong Kong, Dubai and Singapore 7s..about our islanders March forward….We certainly understood the fundamental requirement and constantly lived in hope of opportunities that fuelled our massively positive desire to play against the best in the known world. The combination of fear and exhilaration quite intoxicating to say the least. Our skills and pace saved us on many occasions …especially against fellow islanders from Fiji, Samoa, Tonga etc….which gave our confidence and belief almost an intravenous boost every time we warmed up…knowing the incredible quality of our opposition.
Australia, NZ, England, France, Canada, etc…taken in that same stride …”come on boys ..focus …get the job done …rely on our strengths….keep them in our sights ..don’t let them get past. Make the D strong …get up quick …stop them running…get to them before they hit full pace.”… ……what delightful and clinical instructions!
Life in the middle ….impossible to forget and even more difficult to stomach a lack of skills or full on commitment to max effort each time we wore the trusted elephant badge of Sri island courage.
Let’s wish our 7s gladiators the very best from our ocean hearts…May they get up and skills… to stamp some island class at the Commonwealth Games next month in Australia.
On the domestic front….schools rugby is just gaining some furious momentum…The initial 3 weeks bound to confront us with some traditional upsets and running against form…
Current defending champions Royal looking confident in all the departments…coach Lewke hoping for stronger as the running yards add up.
St Joseph’s have stamped some class already…pushing past Thomas’ and even bigger… beating Trinity at home last week in Pallekelle…hard to forget and a grand challenge for the teams in their group….
Royal, Kingswood and St Anthony’s keeping an eagle eye on the Josephian boys in the run up….what enticing prospects ahead?
Coach Ibrahim will aim for a solid league and more surprises along this flowery path.
On the other runway…Isipatana and St Peter’s looking to establish their brand of rugby …have been sharper and both teams unbeaten so far.
Expectations are already thru the roof when they meet a few weeks from now…..experts please stand up!
Coach Martis well versed in the harsh requirements that will set Peter’s as real title contenders this year…and hopefully wipe away all the shudders and colour from the last 3 easily forgotten seasons at Bamba HQ.
Internationally it has been an entire green friendly eco safe…. Irish 6 Nations pure history and incredible celebrations beyond this realm. What a grand finale, and even sweeter to thump England at Twickenham and grand slam it… to give St Patrick’s, perhaps the greatest of all gifts …
I believe they are still of mighty cheer …and will do just that till Christmas this year.
The promise of a magical Rugby World Cup more a dare than a simple promise in Japan.
All hail the union code this March …marvel at the mesmerizing prospects lining up at home in the singer league..
St Joseph’s v St Anthony’s Friday 23rd @ Havelock Park.4.30pm.
St Peters v Dharmaraja Friday 23rd @ Police Park 4.30pm.
Royal v Thomas’ @ RSCG Saturday 24th 4.30pm.
Kingswood v Trinity @ Nittawela 24th 4.30 pm.
Have a sharp islanders weekend rugby hearts, keep the pressure up on our self appointed experts to predict likely forecasts of what we know will be tough battles for our young gladiators….
It’s all or nothing….
Blessings to all who motivate and encourage fairplay …The future is in our hands…Let’s unite to subdue the chemical and advocate the strength and belief in natural.
Bula Bula Sri api ….!
Be the first to comment