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The Oval ball by Y.C.Chang

During Hurberts captaincy, we learnt to play basketball. He was instrumental in developing a side for the Havelocks, that was equal to the rest in the local tournaments. Dr. Larry Foenander's pre seasons practices were held twice a week.

The days in-between, time was spent at the YMCA, pumping weights for practising Judo. There were the days, after a strenuous practice, that Hubert would pack all of us into his car and entertain us at the Otters swimming club - relaxing in the pool and having great fun. This was in 1961, forty one years ago, when no one had done any scientific research on rugby athletes reaching excellence. The Australians who have now done the studies insist that a player trains in basketball, Judo and weights. Swimming is thrown in as a relaxant. Who knew, what we did by accident would be in the Bible of today's rugby training.

There are many firsts, which have gone unrecorded, for the lack of conviction. In the mid sixties, when I was playing for Kandy and was Captaining the side, I used to always communicate my intentions to Gavin Stevens, my co-prop. One of my brain waves was that the three quarters should ruck and maul, giving time for the forwards the second wind on the attack. Many players did not see it my way. In the eighties when I was coaching the CH & FC, I did really try this out, when Saman Jayasinghe, Baratha Hegoda, Karunasena, Chandrishan Perera, Ranjan Kanagasabai played. If my memory serves me right I think I played Baratha and another forward at (centre) against the Police. Although the rucking and mauling were exemplary, there was the lack of speed and penetration.

Well! Today the system has been well tested by the Southern Hemisphere players who have made this a way of life. Believe it or not.

For interaction we rugby guys always conjured up some team or another and had a whale of a time, either in Colombo or outstation. The RFC and the Pink Elephants, were such sides in the sixties. The Rugby Football Club's first President was John Banks, I was its Honourary Secretary somewhere down the line. To be a member of this elite club, one has to be a National player. The good intentions of this club was to be prepared to put together a team of ex-national players, and a few invitees whom we thought to be of national asset - to play against the National side or touring sides. The Pink Elephants were a different lot from the CH & FC.

This was Tom Cross Brown's (Grindlays Bank) brain wave. Here was set of rugby fanatics, not caring to practice but wanted to play the game. Being a founder member of the Pink Elephants, readers can be assured of many more years of the many tours that this team undertook round the Island. There was never a dull moment.

There were these two guys. Doug Trickett (Education ministry) who played as outside (centre) and George Wardel (World Bank) who played on the wing. It was funny to observe that there was no love lost between the two. At any given moment we would see them sniping at each other in the field over the others inadequacies. On this occasion we were playing the CH & FC. With our ability to possess ball, the scrum half slung it down the line. Lorenz Pereira at stand off made a break and passed it on to Omar Sheriff, who in turn did a half break before handing it over to Doug. At this point of time the game had gone well beyond the gain line and the forwards sniffing a try were right behind the ball when we heard George Wardel scream at Doug Trickett "pass the ball, pass the ball you f...." when Doug responded" where the f..... are you?" GW "can't you see I am here". DT "I know, you are f...ten feet outside touch". Doug could not go beyond or get any help from us because we were rolling on the ground holding our sides with laughter.

Brigadier Ramanayake who was the Officer in command of the southern province in 1971, wanted rugby popularised in Galle. He took great pain to make it a success by inviting the RFC and the Pink Elephants to play an exhibition match at the Galle Esplanade. The guys who were billeted at the NOH had a rip roaring time whilst Kumar Abeywardena never ending hospitality was taken for granted by Noel Brohier, Gamini Fernando and myself at Closenburg - his family mansion. It continued into the Sunday where we were entertained by Mark Bostock at his sea side bungalow at Bentota. Kumar Abeywardena was the only casualty after the toddy he had at Bentota.

One of the highlights of the Havelocks Sports Club's entertainment calender was its annual fancy dress parade and the rugby match between the players and its members. With journalists like Eustace Rulach, T.M.K. Samat, Elmo Rodrigopulle, Laddie Hettiarachchi and Austin Daniel, there was more than enough publicity in our news papers, to ensure a capacity crowd witnessing this rib tickling event. As players every one was in their most imaginative costume and not to be outdone were the members. I recall Brigadier Eustace Fonseka and his army trumpet, who trumpeted around as a referee.

For favouring the member's side old Eustace had to take a beautiful tackle from Conrad Epherums at the end of the game. There after the whole 1st XV all dived over to build pyramid on top of him. What happened to Eustace only the rugby types can tell surprisingly Eustace came out of it unharmed. Unruffled, whilst twirling his moustache and a twinkle in his eye, he had this comment to make in his strong English accent "I'zay chaps, if I caught you in camp, I would have the last laugh."

Eustace Fonseka an Officer and Gentleman to his finger tips. My close association with him began in 1971, when he was interdicted. His rank at that time was a Major. Having fought his battle with the relevant authorities he was reinstated to the substantive rank of Brigadier. A man of many parts and excellent in all. He was a melodious singer with his guitar. An accomplished Chef. He was famous for his Braised Ox Tongue and the Bouillabaisse. A writer par excellence and an Oscar winning actor. All in all he loved life and enjoyed it not caring for tomorrow. The adventurous experiences I have had with these great rugby guys like Eustace, Hurbert and Babu Jacob are all but a memory which will last forever.

Trinity's Achilles heel

A Trinitian's pride is in his Alma Mater's rugby. This year's disastrous performance is calling for heads to roll at the pinnacle of learning. Whilst we are proud of having steps and drains and no brains, we Tinitians are unable to accept that we have no brawn. Did we hear someone say "what about the Aluvihare's, Kappagoda's, Kadirgama's. Karalliadde's, Abeykoon's, Dhanapala's, Ranasinghe's" etc. Yes we agree. But then they were the minority whom we nurtured to take on the world of intellects, academics and professionals.

Trinity's problem was trying to reverse this situation. By trying to achieve the impossible to get all the students to enter the Universities. Rugby took a toll in the meantime, with the majority of the students out of depth in their new assignments. Imagine these beefy fellows who are use to Farming, Woodwork, Fretwork and handicraft classes trying to cram the books? The students were only asking the school to prepare them for the vicious world outside - to be men of Integrity, Honesty, and Loyalty. To be a fine example as an outstanding citizen of the country, other than being men of serious books.

With the gnashing of teeth, various groups have geared themselves to take the bull by the horns - i.e. The Lord Bishop of Kurunegala and his entire Board of Governors who controls Trinity - to account for the misery that has been sown on all Trinitians young and old.

With the wide spread exasperation and indignation, I believe that the school will be restructured to suit the needs of the modern world and still be the Best. Respice Finem.

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Copyright 2001 The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd.
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