Sri Lanka Military Academy clinch Uva Rugby Trophy
M. Farook Lantra
Last year’s cup champions Sri Lanka Military Academy (SLMA)
Diyatalawa clinched the ‘Etisalat’ Uva Rugby Trophy by beating the do or
die Bandarawela Rugby FC by 17 points (1 goal 2 tries) to 14 (2 goals)
in a nail biting sevens Cup Final played at the new Badulla Football
complex on March 20.
Both SLMA and Bandarawela RFC won all the matches they confronted in
the tournament and both teams played a terrific game.
The skipper of the SLMA Diyatalawa S.S. Wijeratne receiving the
‘Etisalat’ champions trophy from Viren De Mel (Past Uva Club
President/ Former Chairman JDB Badulla) also in the picture are
Nelantha Silva (President Uva RFU) and Denzil Darling (Secretary
Uva RFU/ Referee). |
D. Maduranga of Old Duthians RFC receiving the Man of the Match
trophy from Sameera Silva (Executive-Corporate Sales and
Services ‘Etisalat’. |
Before lemons SLMA scored 12 points while the Bandarawela RFC scored
14 points. After the turn around the SLMA scored the winning try by
their skipper S.S. Wijeratna who planted a try at the corner flag.
The try scorers for SLMA were S.S. Wijeratna (2) and Kirikawala (1
try) while for Bandarawela RFC the scorers were M. Shenal and Malitha
Arsakulasuriya one try each.
The Plate was won by Sri Lanka Air Force, Diyatalawa who beat the old
Duthayans RFC with a wafer thin margin of 12 points to 10 while the bowl
was won by Old Thomians Bandarawela who beat Dharmapala RFC 10 points to
nil.
This annual inter-club rugby sevens tournament was attended by 140
Participants from 12 rugby clubs from Uva province which was sponsored
by ‘Etisalat’.
Nelantha Silva President Uva Province RFU, said that his Provincial
Committee conducted this seven a side Rugby Tournament to promote rugby
in Uva Province was a great success.
The Man of the Match award was won by D. Maduranga of Old Duthians
RFC who had a grand game by planting the most number of tries with his
dazzling runs, in the tournament.
The chief guest was Viren de Mel (Past Uva Club President/ Former
Chairman JDB Badulla while the guest of honour was Sameera Silva
Executive - Corporate Sales & Services ‘Etisalat’.
J. Manoja Kariapperuma (Superintendent Spring Valley Estate) and O.K.
Rasanja Perera (Superintendent Spring Valley Estate) and O.K. Rasanja
Perera (Superintendent Finalys Estate/ Former Pathana Scrum Half) also
graced the occasion. |