Zahira's present boys take Major Ifthikar Yoonoos Memorial Trophy

RUGBY: The Zahira College, Colombo present boys' clinched the Major Ifthikar Yoonoos Memorial Rugby Trophy in grand style by beating the Zahira old boys by 41 points (three goals, four tries) to 24 (two goals, two tries) in the match played at the Zahira College grounds, Colombo 10 on Saturday.

It was very nice to see several outstanding players in action of the calibre of Fazal Buhrah, T. Saldin, Nazim Gafoor (Coach) and M. Amanulla (soccer/rugby star) who locked horns for the 'Old Boys' team.

The scores were level as 12 all at 'lemons'. After the turn around the 'Present Boys' played in a different pattern, and piled up 29 more points, while the 'Old Boys' could get only a goal. The try scorers for the 'Present Boys' were centres: M. Adil and S. M. Nazeer one try each while their three quarters A. Jabbar and R. Cuncheer scored three tries each and for old boys the try scorers were Kamil Hadji and T. Saldin one try each while T. Lye scored two tries. Major Yoonoos who had been an active rugby player captained the college rugby 1st XV in 1989 in the position of flanker. After leaving the College he joined the Sri Lanka Army Gemunu Regiment as a second Lieutenant to serve his motherland.

This brave son of our soil died on March 11, 1997 while performing National duties in the war front (Jaya Sikuru) at Mankulam, he died as a hero, for the sake of his motherland.

The best player trophy of this match was awarded to M. Azahrudeen of 'Present Boys' team.

Few rugby equipment were also presented by the organisers the First XV rugby team 2002, to the new Principal T. K. Azoor for the use of the present rugby team of Zahira College. This was Principal Azoor's first appearance as a chief guest since he took over as Principal one and half months ago.

This historic match was refereed by M. Nizam Jamaldeen assisted by Tony Wimalasuriya and M. Ashraff.