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The Sri Lanka Air Force was a force to be reckoned with in the club rugby scene in the 1970s and 1980s but in 1990 they had to withdraw from the 'A' Division League and knock-out tournaments when the second North East war broke out in 1990 as most of their ruggerites had to be deployed for duty.

The Airmen returned to competitive rugby in 1995 and did well to clinch the 'A' division league plate title in 1997 and 1998. But with most of their ruggerites hanging up their boots the Airmen's rugby standard declined during the last three years losing most of their matches. This year too the Airmen have lost all three matches played so far, to Police (5-48), Havelocks (9-30) and Army (5-45). But are out to give a better display in the remaining games.

The Sri Lanka Air Force entered the 'A' division rugby arena in 1972 and within four years reached the top. Led by Shanthi Mendis, the Airmen emerged runners-up of the 'A' Division League by winning 12 matches out of 16 and failed to clinch the prestigious Clifford Cup by a whisker losing to Army by 3-4 in the final. Two years later the Airmen under the leadership of Ronald Rodrigo once again ended up as runners-up of the 'A' division league to Havelocks with the deciding match ending in a three-all draw at Havelock Park.

But the Airmen's finest moment on the rugby field was in 1986. They scored a smashing 44-10 over Navy in the quarter-final and stormed into the final with a try by burly Harsha Fernando in extra time after the scores stood at 4-all at full time. They confronted the mighty Policemen in the final and scored a sensational 10-8 win to clinch club rugby's richest prize - the Clifford Cup. Second row forward Lofty Perera (jnr) scored the solitary try for the Airmen while Tony Wimalasuriya fired across two penalties.

The champion Air Force team comprised Lakshman Caldera (captain), Sidath Nagahawatte, Abey Dissanayake, Hector Kumarasinghe, Lofty Perera, Razali Noordeen, Harsha Fernando, Rex Anthony, Nalin de Silva, Tikiri Marambe, Tony Wimalasuriya, Lawrence Silva, Dhammika Sumansekera, Sudath Silva and Wasantha Ratnayake.

Several Airmen have also represented Sri Lanka with distinction. Among them are Viper Guneratne (snr.), Lofty Perera (snr.), Sriyantha Rajakaruna, Shanthi Mendis, Ronald Rodrigo, Tissa Nanayakkara, Nalin de Silva, Tikiri Marambe, Rex Anthony, Tony Wimalasuriya, Chandana Deepthi and Ajit Prasanna.

This year the Airmen will be led by prop-forward Varuna Senaratne who has been turning out for Air Force for the last six years. Varuna will bind down in the front row with former Sri Lanka prop-forward Ajit Prasanna.

The experienced Sanjaya Fernando will once again occupy the hooker's berth. That excellent line-out jumper and tireless player in the loose Leslie Outschoorn will fill one lock forward's position while Mallawarachchi and Perera will fight it out for the other berth. Veteran Milroy Motha who is a hard tackler and a terrific player in the loose will be one of the flankers with the trio of Indika, Dissanayake and Aluthgedera battling it out for the other position. Former Sri Lanka poolist Dinesh Weerasinghe will be the regular number eight.

Young Ajith Herath will operate from the base of the scrum and will pair off with Viraj Devasurendra. Two hard runners Niranjan Yapa and Cader will be the two centres. The experienced Ruwan Chandrasekera will be manning one wing while the other wing will be occupied by either Suranga Arunashantha or Pathirana.

Ranjith Anthony who has stood out with his safe collections and booming kicks to touch will be the full-back.

The Airmen are being coached by Wing Commander Harsha Fernando who is determined to mould them into a formidable outfit.

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