Airmen produce champagne rugby to win Cup final

Havelocks SC’s Ramesh Fernando attempts to tackle Sri Lanka Air Force’s Anjula Hettiarachchi in the Cup fin

Sri Lanka Army’s Chamodya Madumali and Sri Lanka Navy’s Shanika Madumali during the women’s final

By Shamseer Jaleel

Sri Lanka Air Force produced champagne rugby to beat Havelock Sports Club 24/10 in the Cup final at the Sri Lanka Rugby (SLR) organised Inter Club Rugby Sevens 2022 which concluded at the Race Course ground yesterday in front of a packed crowd.

Havies drew first blood through Sevens sensation Mithun Hapugoda to take an early lead in the very first minute but Air Force hit back soon afterwards through a Shahika Ashan try. Air Force scored again through Avantha Lee on the stroke of half time to take a 12/5 lead. Nuwan Perera converted the second try.

After the turn around, Air Force scored two more tries through Gayantha Iddamalgoda and Nuwan Perera. Nuwan Perera was on target with two of the conversions. Havies scored their only second half try through an energetic Ramesh Fernando.

In the Women’s final Army beat Navy 22/10.

The men’s Plate trophy final was won by Navy SC and CR and FC celebrating their Centenary year had to settle for the Bowl trophy.

The title sponsor of the event was Nippon Paint while Turkish Air Lines, Hettigoda Industries, Embassy of Pakistan, Ceylon Cold Stores, WebxPay and Prima also chipped in with the sponsorships for this event.

 The tournament saw 26 teams taking part in the 2-day event including a Plantation rugby outfit after nearly five decades. All the provinces also participated by fielding a team each. The event was very well organised with a good crowd on both days.

Day 2 results

Provincial (Women’s)

• Semi-finals: Uva beat CR Blues 15/5, Sabaragamuwa beat Southern 20/5
• Final: Uva beat Sabaragamuwa 5/0

Provincial (Men’s)

• Quarter-finals: Western beat Uva 45/5, Sabaragamuwa beat Uva Planters 19/0, Southern beat EP Blue Whales 19/12, Wayamba beat NCP 26/10
• Semi-finals: Western Province beat Southern Province 22/0, Sabaragamuwa beat Wayamba 31/7
• Final: Western beat Sabaragamuwa 20/0

Club segment (Women’s)

• Semi-finals: Navy beat Air Force 42/0, Army beat CR 22/10
• Final: Army beat Navy 22/10

Bowl (Province)

• Semi-finals: Navy Blues beat Western Barbarians 24/5, CR beat Police 12/5
• Final: CR beat Navy Blues 34/0
• Plate final: Navy beat Army 26/10

Club Segments

• Quarter-finals: Army beat Western Barbarians 40/0, Navy beat CR and FC 15/12, Havelock beat Navy Blues 19/7, Air Force beat Police 29/0
• Semi-finals: Havelocks beat Army 33/7, Air Force beat Navy 19/12
• Final: Air Force beat Havelocks 24/10

Pix by Ruwan Walpola