SLAGSC Trounces Rival, SLASC in Final Rugby Encounter at Diyagama

The final tussle of the Army Inter Regiment Rugby Championship tournament, played at Diyagama, Mahinda Rajapaksa Stadium, pushed Sri Lanka Army General Service Corps (SLAGSC) Regiment players to a resounding victory beating the rival, Sri Lanka Army Service Corps (SLASC) with 31-08 points.

Judged by merits of performances in previous tournaments, 17 Rugby teams were placed under two categories: 'A' Division (8 teams) and 'B' Division (9 teams) and finally four best teams were selected from each category to qualify for the Semi-final rounds.

Sri Lanka Army Service Corps (SLASC), Sri Lanka Army General Service Corps (SLAGSC), Gemunu Watch (GW) and Gajaba Regiment (GR) teams before today's Finals,  vied under ‘A’ Division) and ‘B’ Division) ruggerites, qualifying them to go for the final head-on collision, amidst a roar of intense cheering.

Ruggerite, Lance Corporal M.A. Wijayalal of SLAGSC was selected the Best Player in the ‘A’ Division and ruggerite Corporal Handapangoda of GW became the Best Player in the ‘B’ Division.  

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 Jagath Jayasuriya, Commander of the Army enthusiastically, witnessed the finals under ‘A’ Division and ‘B’ Division which selected the victors in the end. The tournament began on 21 February 2012. Major General Kamal Gunaratne, Adjutant General and Chairman Army Rugby Committee received the Chief Guest on arrival at the stadium.

Army ruggerites of 17 Regiments vied for supremacy in the month-long tournament and semi -final matches were played between March 15 - 16 at the same venue.

SLASC vs SLAGSC and GR vs GW players in Monday’s finals under ‘A’ and ‘B’ Divisions produced a thrilling effect to the spectators as separate tussles got underway, amidst hundreds of fans who largely supported their own Regimental teams.

Lieutenant General Jayasuriya after extending his warm congratulations to the winners presented the Championship Trophy to SLAGSC players amidst a thundering applause. Prizes for the 1st Runners-up, 3rd place and the rest were distributed by the Chief of Staff, Major General R.M.D. Ratnayake, Deputy Chief of Staff Major General A. L. R Wijetunge and the Adjutant General Major General Kamal Gunaratne respectively.

A record gathering of spectators were present to witness the final encounter.