In what can be best described as an extended and a very worthy segment of the schools’ rugby season, as if it never wanted to end, 2018 Schools U18 Rugby Sevens produced a chart-topping weekend of sevens rugby. Many stars in waiting for 2019 and 2020 took to the field. They impressed and showed their hand for what promises to be a purple patch for schools’ rugby and its immediate future.
Photo Album – All Island Inter School U18 Sevens Tournament 2018 | Day 2
Highlighted by a stunning upset with a sterling comeback from St Peter’s who rolled the favorite in Isipathana, fielding a virtual 1st XV representative squad and starting seven. It was side to side entertainment where the entire width of the field was utilized all day, on both days, this was a tournament worthy of its space on our rugby calendar.
Plenty of high and hanging kicks to restart, off loads in collisions and intense counter rucking highlighted a remarkable festival-like event.
A crucial tournament to build and test their run on form and gather critical exposed form– against competition they will be up against in time to come. Would the stars of tomorrow live up to these expectations?
So, here are seven things we now know after a brilliant weekend of the shorter format from the age grade in waiting, to step up to the first fifteens for 2019 and beyond.
Read more:
- Why they are ThePapare.com Dream team for 2018
- The good, the bad and the ugly
- Top Five game-breakers of 2018
1.The Green mile
As mentioned before, Isipathana who were fielding a star-studded senior squad in this junior tournament, raced to a 22-5 lead at half time in their quarter final against St Peter’s. The game looked done and dusted. You would think, but then it happened.
Just like the Milo KO final against St Joseph’s, the junior Peterites, spotting a 17-point deficit, turned the tide with 3 tries to complete a remarkable turnaround, stunning the red-hot favorite as they looked simply winded for thought and spent for emotion.
How the Green Machine lost this one is unthinkable and unimaginable, given that Pathana had the season’s #2 gamebreaker and senior side skipper in Manilka Rubeyru on hand, captaining this very potent team.
To make matters worse and with an alarming drift in the Plate final, playing another big fish in Royal, they were blown out of the water by 26-0. What was supposed to be their Green mile had now become a pitch-black highway to nowhere. Surely, the Havelock town team, along with their fans would have turned pale white at the sound of the final whistle.
2.Upsetting the apple cart
Prior to this tournament kicking off, there were several pre- tournament favorites. Isipathana, boasting an entire squad from their senior side with Kingswood, Trinity and St Joseph’s being the others.
Read Boa’s iteration from the Under 19 sevens: Seven things we know after the sevens
Kingswood, notably– expected to lead the Kandy resurgence with several of their first fifteeners on hand.
At the end of day one, both Kingswood and St Joseph’s had been bounced out to the Bowl competition, courtesy of two inspiring upsets. Followed by the mother of all upsets when Peter’s knocked out Pathana at the quarter mile post in the Cup competition at the start of day two.
Sevens and these tournaments, deep in the season, are tailor made for such upsets. It is the beauty of sport as a great leveller. Underdogs, upstaging favorites. Red faced and feeling sore, a number of the bigger names were left, picking up apples from a cart which was rocked to its core by lesser profiled schools and for good measure.
3.The Kandy corner
Trinity who have had a wretched season or seasons of late, really needed something to laugh or even cry about. Having conceded the Bradby for a fourth year running and a lackluster season proper, they certainly gave their fans something to cheer about.
Edging out Shield and derby rivals Royal early morning and then going down to home town rivals and the tournaments surprise package, Vidyartha. They must have laughed in the am and had a good cry come afternoon. Wondering what it is they had to do, looking for an elusive win.
The “Tigers” for their part, went above and beyond everyone’s expectations apart from theirs, and pushed themselves to the brink and almost beyond. They were flying Kandy and her flag high in Colombo. Higher than most would have imagined.
4.Supply and demand is always good for business
There is never such a thing as too much school boy rugby. Fans lap it up as if a drunk does his or her last swallow of whiskey. Steady online activity and spectator interest at the venue was ample evidence.
Be it fifteens or sevens, more specifically with the shorter format and its popular day in day out driver, drawing the crowds. A record turnout from almost every registered rugby playing school, guaranteed a physical and virtual spectator turnout.
This, on a day when the Sri Lankan cricket team was playing in Dambulla against South Africa with it being telecast LIVE on the national free to air broadcaster, Rupavahini. That statement alone is brilliant and truth be said, the sevens was far more entertaining. Given the flogging Sri Lanka took in Dambulla.
ThePapare.com and the teams on hand supplied the entertainment with the fans demanding it and getting their money’s worth.
5.Shopping weekend for import, export agents
In Japan, their famed car auctions really take off in the weekends. Logical, given more people have time on their hands to go shopping. This weekend gone by provided the local “talent scouts” to get their periscopes out to spot, ear mark and possibly lure in potential imports.
Let’s not be PC and hush-hush about this much debated human resourcing method at school boy level. It is Sri Lankan schoolboy sports best kept, public secret. With a few industry leaders emerging and continuing their recruitment as a legit strategy of competing. Some have honed and become experts at this, others shy, secretive and almost apologetic about it. Whispering and glossing over it, so long as the merits suit them for what it’s worth.
Namely, CWW Kannangara, Piliyandala central and DSS in this tournament, showcased some eye-catching talent. It will be interesting to see how many of them will stay with their respective institutions for next season. I am not going to debate the merits and ethical issues surrounding this practice but merely highlighting the obvious stage and possible fishing which occurs. I will leave that debate to you, the readers to thrash it out. Hopefully, pick it up later in the play.
ICYMI: Petes of MILO conquer the bull in Joes
Watch this space and surely, as fans of the seductive game of rugby, you all will know who they are and where they go. It quite literally challenges the old proverb of “A tiger never changes its stripes”, or does it? — depends on who and which side the tiger is and what stripes it wears.
So, if you were out shopping for a Mazda RX7, Ferrari Spyder or even a Camaro SS, you would be forgiven for being at the Royal Complex — AKA , Jurassic Park.
6.Crouching Tigers and a hidden Dragon (no more)
Speaking of Tigers– easily, the story of the tournament. Vidyartha College Kandy.
Building on some tremendous exposed form from the U20 sevens, where they almost edged out Royal, they brought more run on form as the days progressed in this competition. Using extreme pace and a well-coached defensive system, they out hustled and stood up more fancied sides.
At times, they were breathing fire. Knocking out defending champions Trinity at the semifinal stage and prior to that, showing Wesley the door in the morning– they were here to play. Some of the tries they scored were that of width of the field, stepping and jinxing where the tiger who was crouched struck with anger, scratched with its claws, bit with vigour and roared with valour.
Pre-tournament, they were certainly a dark horse, at long odds but with a performance for the ages they have well and truly put their name on the sevens map. A true resurgence and deserved mention, who came agonizingly close but a title in the shorter format is not far away. Maybe next year.
Watch out for the crouching tiger. It is fully grown and has Dragon breath of red hot fire, who is hidden no more. Coached and guided by Sumedha Malewana.
7.Comeback kings with a Knock-out
Season 2018 for one team was all about coming from behind and winning and capturing trophies in the Knockout form. St Peter’s were simply incredible in this aspect. Coming back in all three sudden death games (Quarters, semis and finals) to romp home to victory.
First it was Isipathana, from 5-22 down to win 24-22, then Science, where they were trailing 5-7 to win 12-7. Then in the final, conceding a 7-14 deficit at half time, to rocket home 26-21 and tame the crouching tigers. To put it plainly, coming back 3 tries, 1 try and then 2 tries in the final. A total of 26 points spread over 3 games within 3, 7-minute blocks at the half time whistle. An average of 8.66 points per game to claw back. More importantly, having to score twice or more than one converted try per game. Sensational.
Read more: St. Peter’s crowned unbeaten U18 Sevens Champions in a Tournament of Surprises
Moreover, in the final– botching 4 restarts which did not go the required 10 meters (conceding free kicks), they forced turnovers when Vidyartha were on attack, scoring thrice against the run of play. Highlighting their strong suit, absorbing pressure and fighting back. An admirable quality which is hard to coach for seventeen-year-olds let alone “professional” club players.
This ensured the Pete’s had the toughest route and did the hard way in what was a gut busting, energy sapping 3 games, 3 hours apart. All in a slick 9-hour day at the office. 8.30 to 5.30.
The statistical back and forth is simply amazing for this age grade and level of competition. Highlighting maturity and determination beyond their years. So just like in the MILO KO, they did exactly that, clawing back a lead and making their way to victory lane.
Given their historical form and rugby culture rich with sevens success, it begs the question as to why the Petes didn’t contest the U-20 sevens. Only they can answer in earnest which is now academic, significant but somewhat irrelevant.
Hero of the weekend:
The man who played the tiger and breathed fire like a dragon. Vidyartha’s winger Sathsara Kalugampitiya. Incredible speed and skills to boot. He will be a mainstay in this format at schools’ level and possibly, beyond.
Moment of the weekend:
Pathana who let slip a 17-point lead and surrendered their quarter final to the eventual winners, St Peter’s who were dead and buried. It was a surreal comeback on the back of a terrible lapse in concentration. Instead of ending the Petes campaign, they breathed life right back into it.
Gripe of the day:
Just like the senior sevens tournament, the juniors forced the referees to dish out a record number of yellow cards. There were, well, too many. Again, ill-discipline in rucks, lack of clear release in the tackle, intentional knock downs and other cynical carry on were the main contributors. The refs for their part were by and large consistent. It is after all a fluid game and mistakes are to be expected and they were tolerated by a respectful bunch of players and spectators alike. There has certainly been a lot of growing up since mid-season this year.
The afterthought:
Given the quality, entertainment and excitement this dished out, can we please have more? Perhaps even a first tournament at the top of the season and then another to wrap it up. Given that the country’s rugby powers want to concentrate on the shorter format, this is only logical and hopefully won’t fall on deaf ears. It will bring the crowds and viewers online. It’s a beautiful thing.
