Mastercard Mercantile Rugby 7s

Man of the Final and Man of the Tournament,  Gemunu  Chethiya (3DH International Group) receiving the Man of the Tournament trophy from MRFA President Dinushka Jayatissa 

3DH International Group Captain receiving the championship trophy from Sri Lanka and Maldives Mastercard Country manager Sandun Hapugoda

CDB Finance PLC Ladies Team :  

Womens Tag Rugby Champions  

 3DH International Team 

In a repeat final of last year, 3DH International Group emerged as the new winner, as they took charge of the glittering, brand new Mastercard Trophy beating Cup defender and 11 time Winner, John Keells Group, in the “Cup” Final, at the 51st Mercantile Rugby Football Association (MRFA) “Sevens” 2023, concluded on Saturday, 17 June at the CR&FC Grounds, Longdon Place.

As the scores stood dead locked, nil-all at full time, the final went into extra time of 05 minutes each way; at the stroke of the first period of extra time, Gemunu Chethiya scored the sudden death try for 3DH International (5/0). In the play off for the 3rd place, Brandix after being led 5/7 at half time, beat the debutants, Pearl Beach Paradise, 15/7. In the “Bowl” Final, MAS Holdings “A” came back strongly in the 2nd half to turn the table on Sampath Bank, beating them 14/12; the bankers led 12/0 at half time. In the “Shield” final, Ceylinco VIP playing good open rugby, throughout the game scored a convincing 21/5 win over HNB Group   

Match Results

Womens Tag Rugby 

• Final: CDB Finance retained the title, in a repeat final of last year, beating Sampath Bank, 15/5

Mens “Shield” Championship: 

• Semi-Finals: HNB Group beat Allianz Insurance, 10/5 ; Ceylinco VIP beat Moresand, 19/0
• Final: Ceylinco VIP beat HNB Group 21/5 (after leading 14/0 at half time)

Mens “Bowl” Championship: 

• Semi Finals: MAS Holdings “A” beat GSS International, 15/7; Sampath Bank beat CDB Finance, 14/0
• Final: MAS Holdings “A” beat Sampath Bank 14/12 (Sampath Bank led 12/0 at half time)

Mens “Cup” Championship 

• Semi-Finals:  John Keells Group beat Pearl Beach Paradise, 36/7; 3DH International beat Brandix, 31/0
• “Cup” Final: 3DH International Group beat John Keells Group, 5/0 in extra time, sudden death  (full time 0/0)“Plate” 
• Final: Brandix beat Pearl Beach Paradise, 15/7 (Pearl Beach led 7/5 at half time)  

Special Awards:

• Womens Tag Rugby Best Player – Yashara Wijeweera (CDB Finance)
• Best Young Player of the  Tournament, awarded the Sajith Mallikarachchi Memorial Trophy - M.Z. Dorey (Brandix)
• Best Performer in the “Shield” - Dinesh de Silva (Ceylinco VIP)
• Most Up and Coming Player in the Tournament - Kavindu Costa (MAS Holdings “A”)
• Most Promising Player of  the Tournament, awarded the Capt. Mathew George Memorial Trophy - Matheesha Perera (Brandix)
• Man of the Final - Gemunu Chethiya (3DH International Group) 
• Man  of the Tournament, awarded the Mohan Daniel Memorial Trophy - Gemunu  Chethiya (3DH International Group)

The Chief Guest at the post tournament awards presentation was, Mastercard Sri Lanka and Maldives, Country Manager Sandun Hapugoda; the Guest of Honour, 3DH International Group Chairman Dinuk Hettiarachchi and George Steuart Health Director Thushantha Nakalanda.