Ex-Sri Lanka ruggerite Irwin Howie here on holiday
S.M. Jiffrey ABDEEN-Kandy Sports Correspondent
Remember that famous CR and FC Sri Lanka, Kandy Sports Club and
Trinity College stand off Irwin Howie - he is back in Sri Lanka on a
short holiday visiting friends and relations up in the hills and in
Colombo.
Irwin Howie was one of the finest fly halves to come out of Trinity
College and his brilliant performances in the field won him the
prestigious Rugby Lion.
It is not only at rugby, he shone also at cricket as an aggressive
batsman and scoring a century in an 'A' team match but rugby was his
first love and he gave his time more for this contact game.
Irwin Howie who was a surprise visitor at the Clifford Cup finals
between his two old clubs Kandy Sports Club and CR and FC was honoured
with a hurriedly arranged party and a group photograph getting together
with all whom he was associated at rugby.
His coach for two years former All Ceylon, Kandy Sports Club and
Trinity College prop forward Maurice Perera had this to say about Irwin
Howis.
He was a brilliant stand off who coupled skills and knowledge into
the game to fox the opponents.
His ability to read the course of the game was unmatched. He was a
master of the art of 'chip' which he did with precision and accuracy and
followed the ball and pierced through the smallest of gaps to touch
down. He was also a master at the execution of drop goals, if the
opponents allowed him literaties.
A judicious kicker who often relieved pressure with his line kicks.
All these words came from a rugby official with over 50 years of
experience and now is the President of the Central Province Rugby
Football Union.
Irwin Howie after a brilliant rugby career at Trinity College where
he won the Rugby Lion went over to CR and FC where he excelled and
helping them to win trophies. At one time he formed a deadly halves
combination with old Royalist Malik Samarawickrema.
He also represented Sri Lanka or All Ceylon as the national rugby
team was known then in the early seventies. |
