Delayed start on the cards?

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Havelock SC will defend the title in 2020

Clifford Cup 2020

By Shamseer Jaleel

Sri Lanka Rugby (SLR) has moved in line with the sport in the rest of the world and confirmed the postponement of the Clifford Cup knockout tournament owing to the COVID-19 pandemic. This year’s tournament had originally been scheduled for April 2020.

Havelock Sports Club who beat Air Force in the 2019 tournament were set to defend their title this year. Kandy Sports Club won the Cup segment for a record 6th year in a row with Police Sports Club making a bold comeback after two plus decades. Havelock Sports Club secured third with CR & FC ending in fourth spot after abruptly ending their Police Sports Club encounter, where they were suspended for one game. But due to the League being shortened it didn’t make any difference.

Meanwhile Army Sports Club won the Plate, closely followed by Navy Sports Club. A much looked forward CH & FC ended a disappointing seventh place with Air Force finishing bottom of the league.

Whenever the tournament resumes, all matches will be staged at the Racecourse rugby ground and Nittawela Rugby Stadium. The final encounter will take place at Racecourse in Colombo.

Sri Lanka Rugby (SLR) President Lasitha Gunaratne, speaking to Daily FT said: “We have to meet and discuss once the health issue is sorted out. We also must get government clearance as well to conduct tournaments. Though officially not informed by Asian Rugby (AR) all tournaments from March to July have been postponed. If the COVID-19 situation is under control then we might see the Asian Sevens three legs being worked off as scheduled from August to October. The official communications will be sent from AR in the near future.”