Friday Nov 08, 2024
FT
Friday Nov 08, 2024
Wednesday, 28 June 2023 00:30 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
It was a Rugby fanatic’s worst nightmare last Saturday when five matches were played on the same day, and even the media crews were stretched too thin to cover all of them, resulting in only three of those matches being covered and streamed live. Gone are the days when only the well-wishers of a certain fraternity followed its games. In modern times, most of the Rugby enthusiasts want to know how the other schools are playing, or want to watch all the close encounters while being present at the respective venues.
As observed during the past several years, a good contest attracts spectators regardless of the day the match is played on. For instance, it was not unusual to find the whole stretch of Isipathana Mawatha’s parking spaces being taken by 3:30p.m. on a weekday, whenever a close encounter was played at Havies. Therefore, School administrations must make efforts to co-ordinate and spread these matches across four days every week, either from Friday-Monday or Thursday-Sunday. This way, they could also benefit by a higher number of ticket sales.
On week 2, the two schools promoted to the upper segment, made their first appearances and stunned the much-fancied high riders, and the rest of the schools Rugby clans. Those who had previously underestimated the potential of these minnows, now have to think again, watch them closely, re-work their plans, devise new tactics, and work hard to stay ahead.
In this review, we shall have a look at how the tables have turned, as most teams were expected to step up their games in week 2, and the new cards on the deck.
Science hosting Royal – 24 June:
The Boys from Reid Avenue had to sway past their most sentimental venue located out of Colombo City, to play their second match of the season at Mt. Lavinia. Kudos to Lewke and the Royal Tuskers for ironing out almost all of their shortcomings from the previous match, within the span of a week, to display a strong Tuskers outfit that the Rugby fans are accustomed to. It was indeed reassuring for the Royal supporters to find their team turning up with confidence and fluency, taking full control of the game, just as they are known for, showcasing supreme dominance over a not-so-bad home team.
When most expected the heavyweights to use their weightiness against a much lighter Maroons by primarily bulldozing them via rolling mauls and pick ‘n drives, the very clever Tuskers used their Backs in this Game to thoroughly practice against another fast but lighter Backs outfit, which should prove very useful in their next encounters.
Not certain as to whether it was due to their unexpected defeat last week, or the stringent practices leading up to this game, but to the disappointment of the Rugby lovers, Science College was found to have dropped its game in many aspects, giving way for the masters of the game to show their prowess. The rising number of infringements, and knock-ons compared to their previous outing, combined with poor tackling efforts, and prevented Science from stopping the heavyweights from charging constantly.
A majority of the home team’s tackles were over the waist, and one cannot expect to bring down powerful physiques, by any other means than going low. Instead, they mostly chose Barney hugs, when defending from the front, and new pinches (probably for the Jerseys), when coming from the side or behind. This resulted in some unusual visuals where the boys sporting Blue/Gold were decorated by fluttering Maroon Capes at their backs, whenever they charged.
Despite some good kicking by Science that helped them gain territory, they neither used their cross kicks effectively, nor attempted to exploit the new 50:22 law. In addition, their poor tackling didn’t help them keep play in Royal’s territory, hence they found themselves defending most of the time, giving Royal a sack full of points, including the most important bonus point.
Thora hosting Pathana – 24 June:
While their arch rivals whizzed past the small club ground, the Thomians were busy getting ready for this match at the big club ground, unable to even wave at the passing bus. This encounter turned out to be a high-octane game at Mount Lavinia, and regardless of who won or how it was won, the finest thing about this day was the great spirit and comradeship this match was played in. This signifies a reason why sports were played in the first place; to promote friendship and sportsmanship! Despite the numerous erroneous calls made (and not made) by the Referee that affected both sides, the Players continued to play in the same spirit that they began the match with. Hope this bond and friendship continue to grow between these two schools that would pave the way for abundant fruitful yields in the future?
This was more of a Backs game, and even more so by the Green Machine, as they exhibited that they are back with their own brand of fast and open gameplay, but now with some dazzling zig zag moves at fast paces, that could easily bamboozle a bunch of defenders. If you are unable to imagine how this may have transpired, just picture Roadrunner sidestepping 10 times, both ways, instead of dashing straight on.
To make things even worse for their opponent, Pathana created havoc with some deceiving dummy decoys to finish off the spectacular runs, that were initiated generally just inside the Thomian 50. Man of the Match Rinesh Silva, layered the icing on the cake, by converting a couple of corner Tries, and slotting a total of 3 tough conversions.
One of Pathana’s weaknesses was that they continued in the same fashion as in their last game, where they started quite decently with minimal infringements during their offensives, and then suddenly accelerated alarmingly when they were defending in the second half, with a hefty 17 infringements in total.
This allowed the Thomians to get very close to the Pathana goal line, and finish things off with their tried and tested (Coach Shamlie special) pick ‘n drives to score two converted Tries in the last 16 minutes. This exposed another immense weakness of Isipathana, of being unable to defend a Forwards attack close to their goal line. One could now picture the Saints’ and Tuskers’ eyes opening wide, and a bright light shining above their Heads.
Once again in this match, Pathana did not allow the Thoras to do much, just as they decapitated Kingswood in the previous week. The home team kicked many balls out of possession instead of kicking them to touch, which was not the best strategy to employ against Isipathana. The Thomians also missed an easy penalty that should have brought them to 23 points, and also earned the bonus point. The home team was horrible in the line-outs with 2 crooked throws and allowing Pathana to turnover on 3 occasions.
Their line-out Coach would have a heap of work to do, in order to bring sanity to this set piece that is in disarray. As a consolation, the Thomians managed 2 ruck turnovers that would be a definite credit under their name, as they accomplished it against a team with the calibre of Isipathana, who are masters of turnovers.
Wesley hosting Joes – 24 June:
Wesley College switched its home venue from the regular CR & FC to Royal Complex this season, and hosted the first match against St. Josephs. It was more or less an uneventful and lull game due to continuous and consistent handling errors from both sides, making it a rather dull match to watch.
Joes decided to take a penalty that was offered inside the first minute of the first half, at 45 meters from the goal line, from a slight angle and succeeded! However as expected, Wesley had improved their attacks considerably, and they occupied Joes territory during most of the game, especially the second half. Nevertheless, they were unable to complete their offenses, mainly due to some solid defending by the Joes, and partly due to their own blunders. It was quite disappointing to observe that Wesley was unable to finish its attacking moves, despite Joes committing recurring infringements while defending, and playing with only 14 players at certain phases. Most of Wesley’s knock-ons came at crucial stages, when they were pretty close to scoring; at one point, just a few inches away from Joes’ goal line.
While Wesley continuously failed to make hay during the whole of the first half, and for almost 15 minutes in the second half, they received a penalty within kicking range just outside Joes’ 22, close to the 50th minute. The Wesleyites must be kicking themselves even to-date, for not kicking that ball to goal, but instead, choosing to kick it to touch.
The Joes on the other hand, had worked very hard on their defences during the past week, after they allowed St. Anthony’s to score 3 Tries in their previous game. Their defence was thoroughly tested continuously in many ways in this game, by the Wesley Forwards as well as the Backs, especially at the goal line and they came out triumphant each time with flying colours.
S.A.C.K. hosting D.S.S. – 24 June:
Rugby fans of Pallekele were in for a scrumptious treat, when D.S.S. put on a splendid performance to make this a tightly contested encounter that went to the wire! It was a catch-up affair with the Boys from Colombo leading most of the way.
St. Anthony’s had quite an off day with the boot, as they missed an easy penalty, and failed to gain ground with their touch kicking in contrast to their first outing. Conversely, D.S. showed superiority in touch kicking by gaining many a mile with their new shiny boots. They also perfected a 50:22 kick to touch, a rare feat only their opponents achieved just a week ago.
Although Antho was good in all departments of the game, including rucking, D.S. succeeded in 2 ruck turnovers, and sent a message out to their forthcoming opponents. D.S. mostly attacked with their Backs, and succeeded with 3 Tries scored by winger Janidu Wijerathne, as most of their Forwards attacks were foiled by S.A.C.K. D.S. did seem like they have shed significant weight from their heavy Pack that dominated proceedings last year.
It was just around 5 minutes before the long whistle when the Antonians finally took the lead of 19-18, but unfortunately for them, D.S. scored a Try minutes before full time. Then again, we find a bunch of Kandy lads, also kicking themselves for not taking a penalty offered right in front of the tall posts in the 60th minute, and missing a sitter, that would have bagged the game for them.
Rajans hosting Zahira – 24 June:
Unfortunately, this match was not covered due to the high number of games on the same day, and therefore it was not possible to explore tactics, strengths and weaknesses of each team.
Vidyartha hosting Trinity – 25 June:
Unfortunately, the final encounter of week 2 was played on a wet and soggy Bogambara Stadium that resulted in many handling errors, mostly by Trinity. Therefore, the most anticipated weekend battle between the fast Backs failed to happen at the pace one would have preferred.
Trinity commenced attacking in Vidyartha’s half immediately after the kick-off, applying constant pressure on them. The hosts Vidyartha choked, giving away close to 15 penalties, almost the same as their previous match, indicating they have no intention of following the rules of the game. This allowed Trinity to remain and attack in Vidyartha territory and lead 12-nil at the breather.
Trinity’s place kicking was in complete disarray, as they missed at least 3 conversions that were relatively easy, but they were very disciplined in not committing many fouls. Coincidentally, two Kandy Schools, viz. Kingswood and Trinity have the lowest number of infringements (6 per match) so far in the season. The respective coaching staff have to be commended for this effort, and hope they will maintain this discipline throughout the Tournament?
Trinity kept the offensive going in the second half as well, leading 17-nil, and it was not until the final 10 minutes, the Vidyarthians decided to cast away their cloak, and revealed the Tiger within! Once again, they looked a totally transformed outfit, as if their statures were taken over by superpowers. They effected the exact same gameplay as they did against Science, scoring two corner Tries in quick successions. As the adrenaline levels in the spectators’ blood streams rose, the two tough conversions hit and bounced off the crossbar and the right post that gave constant goosebumps in addition. Unfortunately, the Tigers’ rampage was crippled by further infringements that only contributed to Trinity’s final tally.
