Army women's rugby team wins Wood City cup

RUGBY: The Sri Lanka Army Women's Rugby team clinched the Wood City Champions Cup with a stunning 12 points (one goal, one try) to 5 (one try) win arch each rivals Slimline 'A' in the finals of the All Island Rugby Promotions Foundation (RPF) Women's Rugby Sevens played at the Municipal Grounds, Bandarawela on November 4 (Saturday).

Both Army and Slimline 'A' played fast open rugby and the score stood at 5-all at the breather with Sandeepa (Slimline) and Nilmini (Army) scoring a try each.

After resumption both teams gave of their best but one minute before the final whistle Army Women's team winger Subashini Karunaratne made a powerful 40 metre run to pierce the Slimline defence and scored under the posts. Rukshani Ariyasena made no mistake with the conversion to give the Army Women's team a 12-5 win. Both teams were studded with national players of the calibre of Ruwini Deepika, Dinushi Edirisinghe, Subashini Karunaratne, Rukshani Ariyasena, Herosha Fernando and Chathurika Mayuri who gave a sterling display.

More than 80 players from seven Women's Rugby Clubs took part in the tournament with the notable absentees being Black Mares RFC, Sabaragamuwa RFC and Anuradhapura RFU. The tournament was conducted by Uva Rugby Football Union and sponsored by the Rugby Promotions Foundation while the co-sponsors were Pharmco Marketing Services and Hotel Orchid, Colombo.

The chief guest was Nilantha de Silva, President of Uva RFU while the Guest of Honour was Mohan Fernando, superintendent of Poonagala Estate, Bandarawela.

The Plate Trophy was clinched by Seethawaka RFC who beat Slimline RFC 'B' by 24 points to nil while the Bowl Trophy was won by Bandarawela RFC who beat Mahiyangana RFC, Avissawella by 15 points to nil.