Final Rugby Tussle Produces New Enthusiasm &;amp; Hopes

The final tussle of the Army Inter Regiment Rugby Championship tournament, played at Havelock Grounds, pushed Sri Lanka Army General Services Corps (SLAGSC) players to a resounding victory, beating the rival, Sri Lanka Armoured Corps (SLAC) with 32 to 17 points.

Lieutenant General Daya Ratnayake, Commander of the Army, himself and ardent Rugby player who steered his team to qualify for Army Colours in 1980s, joined others to witness the encounter as the Chief Guest for the occasion.

Judged by merits of performances in previous tournaments, 16 Rugby teams were placed under two groups: 'A' group (8 teams) and 'B' group (8 teams), and finally 4 best teams were selected from each category to qualify for the Semi-final rounds.

Ruggerite, Sergeant N.V.A.P Perera of SLAGSC was selected as the Best player of the tournament and ruggerite, Sergeant H.H.M.T.U Wickramasingha of SLAGSC became the Best kicker of the tournament.

Rugby’s popularity among both officers and soldiers has earned a niche for itself in the Army and claims an admirable reputation for the organization, having produced a wide assortment of fine-tuned ruggerites who have hitherto made record victories both at service and national levels.   

The conduct of the entire tournament and today’s final event has been organized in a magnificent manner showing best signs of professionalism.  

The Chief Guest, Lieutenant General Daya Ratnayake, Commander of the Army enthusiastically, witnessed the ‘Cup’ Championship finals under ‘A’ group and ‘B’ group which selected the victors in the end.

General Jagath Jayasuriya, Chief of Defence Staff also witnessed the event as a guest of honour.

The tournament began in the first week of June 2013. Major General B. A Perera, Director General, General Staff Branch and Chairman Army Rugby Committee received the Chief Guest on arrival at the Havelock Grounds.

Lieutenant General Ratnayake after extending his warm congratulations to the 15-A-Side winners presented the Championship Trophy to SLAGSC players amidst a thundering applause. Prizes for 7- A Side winning teams were distributed by Major General A.W.J.C. de Silva, Chief of Staff of the Sri Lanka Army, respectively.

A record gathering of spectators watched the final encounter.