Clifford Cup Rugby from July 16 to 31

Ranjeeva Seneviratne

Defending champions Kandy Sports Club will go out favourites to retain the title for the fourth successive year when the Caltex knock-out Rugby tournament for the Clifford Cup will be worked off in Colombo and Kandy from July 16 to 31, 2010.

Kandy SC who retained the Caltex 'A' Division League title for the 10th successive year last week by edging out CR and FC by 0.5 points will face a strong challenge from CR and FC (runner-up for the last three years) and the formidable Navy.

Kandy beat CR and FC by 16-5 (2007), 21-0 (2008) and 10-6 (2009) in the finals to make it three in a row.

The lads from Kandy will confront Havelocks Sports Club which finished last in the plate championship in the third quarter-final on July 17 while CR and FC will take on CH and FC which finished third in the Plate Championship in the second quarter-final on July 17.

Third placed in the Cup Championship Navy will lock horns with Army in the fourth quarter-final on July 18 while Plate Champions police will be meeting fourth placed Air Force in the first quarter-final on July 16. Kandy Sports Club which first won the Clifford Cup - Club rugby's richest prize in 1992 have reigned supreme since then winning the cup on 15 occasions except in 1994 when CH beat CR 15-11 in the final and 2006 when CR scored a smashing 37-5 win over Havelocks in the final while the tournament was not held in 1998.

Havelocks which had the honour of bagging the Cup when it was on offer to the clubs for the first time in 1950 and 1951 have grabbed the trophy on 13 occasions with 1981 being the last time CR and FC have won the Cup 14 times while CH and FC have clinched it on seven occasions with 1994 being the last time. Police Sports Club which dominated the rugby scene in the 1980s have bagged the trophy on eight occasions since winning it for the first time in 1970 (sharing with Havelocks) while Army have won the trophy twice in 1973 (Sharing with Police) and 1975.

Air Force savoured their finest moment on the rugby field by overcoming the mighty Police in the final by 10-8 in 1986 the only occasion they have done so.

The semi-finals of this year's tournament will be held on July 23 and 24 in Colombo and Kandy with the final is scheduled for July 31 either in Kandy or Colombo.