The commencement of the President’s Trophy, a competition rich in history, got off to the worse possible start, with many qualifying teams opting out.
Trinity seemed to have had enough after a forgettable season, Science had run out of funds, and St. Joseph’s were reeling from a heavy casualty list after being despicably ambushed at the hands of Dharmaraja.
Whilst on the subject, what happened on that fateful day at Bogambara was probably the lowest point schools rugby has ever descended to. The video footage has been seen far and wide. I could barely believe my eyes. The consequences? A mere 9 month ban slapped across the Kandy school, which will end well in time for the start of next season. Is this the message we want to communicate to the next generation of students, and rugby players? I strongly believe that schools should just refuse to travel there for games. Would anyone want their loved ones subjected to that savagery?
In many a sense, the carnage seen on that final weekend was just the icing on a very unsavory cake, representing a season that will be remembered most for ill behaviour and downright mismanagement by the authorities. Winning at any cost has been the theme amongst players and supporters alike. At least on a couple of occasions referees have been manhandled, with countless cases of brawls amongst players spilling into the stands. And yes, who could forget that image of two captains grappling on a platform for a shield.
Some of the unrest has been levelled at the deplorable standard of officiating. I have probably been the biggest critique of the standard of refereeing. I still am. But that does not give anyone the right to take matters into their own hands. On the matter of refereeing, I was the recipient of an interesting e-mail, someone had shared. In it, Garratt Williamson, a reputed referee in his time, and most recently, a consultant to the SLRFU, let’s fly to the referees body. I’m pretty certain, all, if not most reading this passage would have seen it as well. By and large you have to say that the contents of his e-mail are spot on. The standard 
is downright putrid. For anyone who’s been involved with the game in some capacity, it’s blatantly obvious that that those entrusted with the whistle have played very little rugby themselves. They have very little understanding of the interpretations of the rules. They blow the breakdown seemingly with rules concocted in their own minds. Furthermore, as was evident in that second semi-final between Royal and S.Thomas’, they don’t have the slightest clue when comes to refereeing the maul.
Enough said about the referees.
On to the President’s Trophy. Despite the pull-outs, there was some consolation in the fact that the best four teams in the island were playing in the semi-finals. The first game between St. Peters and Isipathana was an absolute cracker. After receiving a ‘bye’ in the quarters, the green shirts were evidently rusty during the first half of the game. I have always believed that the Peterites had one of the most balanced sides this year, and should have performed far better than they did in the league. At lemons it was the 
Bambalapitiya boys who led 13-12, with more than a glimmer of hope of pulling off an upset. However, decision making and unforced errors at critical points simply cost them the game. Pathana got their chances, and they converted them into points. It ended 24-20 to the Green shirts, and the heartbroken Peterites were left to ponder on what might have been. It was a game where all in attendance got their monies worth.
I was there to witness the second semi-final between Royal and the fancied S.Thomas’, played the next day. The venue – the Royal College Sports Complex. Hmm. What has generally been the norm, be it for schools or for clubs, is that the ‘knock-outs’ are played at a neutral venue. Then why play at this venue, when it gives an unfair advantage to the home team? Is it that the governing rugby body, or the sponsor Milo don’t have the funds to pay for a ground? This alone is unacceptable, and should not have been the case. In the end, all it did was take off some of the gloss on what was a well executed performance by the Royalists.
As far as the second semi-final is concerned, make no mistake – Royal were the better side on the day, hands down. They were just hungrier and their game management over the 
eighty minutes was excellent. They outscored the Thomians three tries to two. Once again, their rolling maul proved to be unstoppable. However, the most impressive player for me was their scrum half Ashok Wijekumar. His touch kicks were good, and decision making on when to run the backs, and when to put the ball behind the defense was immaculate. What’s more he also scored their opening try.
For S.Thomas’ this game brought down the curtain on what’s been an excellent season. Unfortunately, the league ‘final’ and this game proved to be bridge too far. Nevertheless, it has laid a great platform for hopefully greater things to come from the Mount Lavinia School.
We now have another epic final in store. There is some controversy about the venue again, but I’m hoping that’ll work itself out. We have two schools, with two contrasting styles of play. In one corner we have the challenger – Royal College, who I believe have improved considerable as the season has worn on. There’s more to them than just grinding teams out. They have lost a couple of games, but they’re the undisputed kings of the rolling maul. You give away a penalty, they will kick to the corner and apply the squeeze. Few have been able to quell the prowess of their main weapon. Nikhila Gunadheera’s side will be confident after their win. As things stand, they will be playing at home which is a huge advantage – rightly or wrongly. Coach Martis comes up against his old school. He did the job on them at the same ground last year. So I’m sure he’ll be quietly confident.
The reigning league champs will be going all out to secure the double. If the game opens up, their backs will surely have the edge over Royal. Rankothge has had a blinder of a season. So has Weerasinghe, and Chamodh Fernando. They will be looking to play the game at a high tempo. It is the set pieces where they will have to be alert. When they played Royal in the league they manage to disrupt their line-out which kept the Royal forwards at bay. They will be hoping for a repeat of that performance.
Is Royal a better side than Pathana? No. But can Royal beat them? Yes. This one could well come down to the wire. Let’s hope that what’s been a season known for all the wrong reasons, signs off on a high.
