A prayer for Jeffrey de Jong

Sharm de Alwis

Those spectators who thronged the rugby stadia in the robust 70s when the game was played by men will yet have indelibly etched memories of the awesome grandeur of power play which was unleashed by Jeffrey de Jong along with Thajone Savanghan his co-flanker accomplice to uphold the lofty standards set by Sari de Sylva and Indrajith Coomaraswamy. In attitude, attack and pulverising defence Jeff and Thajone were cast in the same heroic mould.

When the flashy and brilliant Angelo Wickramaratne came out of St Peter's he was apprehensive of getting a break at Havelocks by displacing the Country's best set of flankers and flirted with the thought of joining CH&FC.

Thajone got wind of matters, signed the Club players' book indicating his inability to play the week-end match because he had to attend the funeral of Elvis Presley who had died the same day when, in reality, his boss had asked him to go for two months to Libya.

Playing without a single day's match practice Angelo filled the void with vigour, spirit and style, combining with first inner Michael Jayasekera to weave magic and splendour in their wake for full-throated voices to belt out MICHAEL - ANGELO, MICHAEL-ANGELO.

Coach Gama Fernando had a problem on his hands when Thajone returned, having also sold a dummy to the Gate guard who did not allow him to leave without a pass the port of Banghazi. Not withstanding the fact that he was the finest flanker in the country, Jeff opted to play on the wing to accommodate Angelo.

When Tyronne Fryer whose feet barely touched grass every time he was in full flight came for practice. Jeff moved in as the second inner to accommodate the candidate. That was the measure of Jeffrey de Jong as a team player.

Now in his domiciled Melbourne, Jeff is afflicted with an illness. Miracles have been wrought by prayer. A prayer for Jeffrey to recover from his fell illness will cost you only a few minutes of fervent concentration.

The reward is immeasurable in knowing that in the fullness of time Jeff has recovered, thanks to the collective prayers of his well-wishers.