Mercantile Rugby is back this weekend

After a lapse of two years, Mercantile Rugby is back at CR&FC, Longdon Place. The two previous tournaments were held at the Race Course International Rugby Football Stadium. 

The 49th edition of the Mercantile Rugby Football ‘Sevens’ 2019, conducted by the Mercantile Rugby Football Association (MRFA) is all set to be held this weekend on 19, 20 and 21 July.

The participation numbers comparing to the previous tournaments (2017/31 teams and 2018/33 teams) have drastically come down to 23 teams; five teams vying for the ‘Cup’ and the ‘Plate’; four teams vying for the ‘Bowl’ and 14 teams vying for the ‘Shield’.

The draw for groupings which was held on Monday, 15 July, 6 p.m. at the CR&FC Old Pavilion is as follows: 

‘Cup’ Championship/Single Group/Group ‘A’

Access Group ‘A’ (defending champions), Dialog Axiata ‘A’ (2018 runners-up), John Keells Group ‘A’, MAS Holdings ‘A’ and Citizens Development Business (CDB) 

‘Bowl’ Championship/Single Group/Group ‘B’ 

John Keells Group ‘B’, Access Group ‘B’, Brandix Intimate Apparels and Sampath Bank. 

‘Shield’ Championship/4 Groups 

Group ‘C’ - Nations Trust Bank, Pan Asia Bank, 3DH International (New team) and Commercial Credit and Finance 

Group ‘D’ – MAS Holdings ‘B’, George Stuarts, Softlogic Holdings & Stafford Motor Co., 

Group ‘E’ – Std. Chartered Bank, Ceylon Tobacco Co., and Virtusa.

Group ‘F’ – HSBC, NDB and Dialog Axiata ‘B’.

The 3rd Women’s Tag Rugby ‘Sevens’ League will be conducted alongside with the men’s tournament with 5 teams: 

MAS Attune (2018 winner), CDB (2018 runners-up), Sampath Bank, Ceylon Tobacco Co., and George Stuarts

Playing Hours: Day 1/Friday, 19 July from 1:45 p.m. to 6 p.m.; Day 2/20 July from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Day 3/21 July will be announced at the end of 2nd days play; There will be no play under flood lights on all three days.

The tournament for the third year running is co-sponsored by South Asia Gateway Terminal (SAGT); the tournament is partnered by Associated Motorways ‘Yamaha’.

The Mobile partner is SLT Mobitel and the Media partner is Sun FM.