Five-a-side touch rugby tourney at Thalawathugoda

RUGBY: For the second successive year Austasia Sports and Leisure Club will hold their indoor five-a-side Touch Rugby Tournament on Feb. 24 (Saturday) at Thalawathugoda.

The inaugural tournament was held last year (2006). It was exciting and proved an instant success. Leading rugby playing clubs took part. Players of yesteryear (national) added much flavour to the tournament. Sixteen men’s and 4 women’s teams took part. High riding Kandy added yet another feather to their cap by winning an exciting final over Police SC.

The Army women’s team, who are in the forefront in the local women’s rugby scene, won the women’s title defeating Slimline an emerging club promoting sports in big way. Other teams who took part last year are Walkers Tours, HSBC, A&E, Seylan Bank, Hutch, Petersons, Grass Hoppers, Front Runners, Moratuwa RFC, Lions, CTC, Green Cougers, Zone 24, Brandix, Meegoda MV and Black Mares.

This year the organisers have decided to give more exposure. To make the tournament more competitive, it will be played on four levels - Cup, Plate, Bowl and the Shield in four groups commencing at 2 p.m. It will go on till dusk.

According to President of Austasia Sports and Leisure Club, Old Rajan Udaya Yatawara the club gates are open to all to indulge in sports to bring about understanding and togetherness.

This tournament is part of their promotional drive to encourage in leisure sports with their friends, families and well-wishers to enjoy a pleasant evening including a dip in the pool.

Yatawara said for last year’s inaugural championship former Sri Lanka rugby ace Hisham Abdeen, CR & FC outstanding wing three-quarter Wimal Epaarachchi and Ivor Keerthipala (Isipathana OBA) helped in big way with its planning and implementation. Plans are afoot to promote indoor touch rugby among schools in the near future too affording them the facilities to train at Thalawathugoda complex.

Last year the Keells and A&E came forward with men/material to make it a reality. Yatawara said since then indoor rugby has come to stay at Austasia.