Clifford Cup rugby from August 21

Ranjeeva Seneviratne

The Clifford Cup Knock-out Rugby Tournament will kick off on August 21 (Friday) with the confrontation between runners up of the Caltex ‘A’ Division League CR and FC and Plate champions Police Sports Club at Longden Place.

On the following day August 22 (Saturday) defending champions Kandy Sports Club will play host to Havelocks Sports Club at Nittawela while Navy will take on Air Force at Longden Place. The last quarter-final between Sri Lanka Army and CH and FC will be worked off on August 23 (Sunday) at Longden Place.

The semi-finals will be worked off on August 29 and 30 at Nittawela and Longden Place while the final is scheduled for September 5 (Saturday) at either Nittawela or Longden Place. Kandy Sports Club which won the Clifford Cup in 1992 for the first time have reigned supreme by clinching the cup - the richest prize in club rugby on 14 occasions in 1992, 1993, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1999, 2000 to 2005 and 2007 and 2008.

CH and FC bagged the Clifford Cup in 1994 by beating CR and FC 15-11 in the final while in 2006 CR and FC emerged champions with a smashing 37-5 win over Havelocks in the final. The tournament was not conducted in 1998.