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| Saturday, 1 May 2004 |
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Sports | |
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Meet the rugby clubs: Police will rely on their forwards The power-packed forwards of the police sports club have played a key role in their success during the last three years. This year too the policemen who have been strengthened by the inclusion of two Fijians will rely on their forwards to deliver the goods. Police's rugby was in the doldrums during the period 1995 to 2000. Their rugby resurgence began in 2001 when under the leadership of Lalith Leelaratne they registered seven victories in the 'A' Division League out of 14 matches. In the quarter-finals of the Clifford Cup they scored a sensational 14-12 win over CR and FC before going down fighting to Kandy SC (11-18) in the semi-finals. However their best performance came in the President's Trophy Tournament in which they scored two smashing wins over Navy (35-18) and CH and FC (23-18) in the quarter finals and semi-finals respectively before losing to CR and FC (6-17) in the final. In 2002 the policemen led by Ajantha Rodrigo had another fine season winning 10 matches out of 15 in the Caltex 'A' Division League to finish in fourth position. They also entered the Premier Champions Trophy final with a smashing 36-27 win over Army in the semi-finals before losing to CR and FC (18-26) in the final. Last year Police won five matches out of 14 in the 'A' Division League and were knocked out by Navy in the Premier Champions Trophy quarter-finals. The period from 1984 to 1991 can be considered as the Golden Era of police rugby. In 1984 Upali Vidanage's policemen clinched the Clifford Cup by emerging 'A' Division League champions. In 1985 police led by Sunil Sahabandu had a marvellous season and bagged the Rugby Triple by winning the Rugby sevens Title, John Player League and the Clifford Cup with a 22-16 win over Havelocks in the final. In the following year police captained by H. Premasiri retained the John Player League Title and in 1987 Muruga Jayaratne's Policemen clinched the Rugby Double by winning the John Player League and the Premadasa Trophy with a smashing 31-12 win over Havelocks. In 1988 Police led by Ajantha Samarakoon bagged the Rugby double by bagging the John Player League and Rugby Seven Title. In 1989 police under the leadership of Hafeel Marso had a marvellous season. They won the John Player League Premadasa Trophy with a 12-4 win over CR and the Rugby Sevens Title by overcoming CR by 12-6 in the final. In 1990 police were compelled to withdraw from rugby when the North East war broke out in June 1990. But in the following year police returned to competitive rugby and led by Hemantha Yatawara took the Rugby Double by bagging the John Player League and Clifford Cup by edging out CH and FC 13-11 in the final. This year Police will be led by Sri Lanka prop forward Anura Fernando. Affectionately called 'Bena' by his team-mates he will bind down in the front row with either veteran Shantha Rohana or Charaka Hewawasam. Evergreen Asela Muthumala will fill the hooker's berth with Chaminda Silva making a determined bid to oust him. Lanky Pradeep Wilson and Sri Lanka youth player Anuradha Dharmatilleke will be the two lock forwards. They are sure to obtain plenty of 'good ball' from the line outs with their excellent jumping. T. D. Herath, a fierce tackler and an attacking player will occupy one flanker berth with Nishantha Welagedera and Wekedapola fishing it out for the other berth. Fijian Wate Wociwoci will be the number eight. Sri Lanka Sevens skipper Sudath Sampath will operate from the base of the scrum and faces a strong challenge from Anjula Silva. Sri Lanka ruggerite Harshana Wijeweera who is a fine place kicker will occupy the pivotal fly half position. National player Nilusha Fernando who is a hard runner and solid tackler will play alongside Fijian Luke Rogayawa as centres. The wings will be manned by experienced Sampath Galewela and Ayaz Hassan. The duo who are battling it out for the full pack position are Sudesh Dissanayake and Danushka Pubudu. The policemen are being coached by S. W. Chang who is receiving all the encouragement and assistance from Rugby Chairman DIG Nimal Lewke. (R.S.) |
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