Bogambora, the 22^nd of June: pre-match rumour has it that free tickets are being issued for the school boys for the Singer Division A decider clash between Kingswood and Trinity, this coming Sunday.

In a related development, a Facebook Invitation is being circulated inviting Kingswoodians and Trinitians for this potential cruncher.

Others tell us plain that they need neither a free ticket nor a Facebook invite, cos they are anyway gonna be there.

And to sum it up – no game has generated this much crowd interest in a season of “see-saw” fortune for some of the best teams this School calendar. The expectations are high on both sides – Trinity and Kingswood, for whom this game, now, has a fetish value mixed with a “do or die” drumbeat.

Kingswood will hope to run their colours after a dream comeback this season.

Trinity College – a team that has very often stood for the occasion – came into the season with the least experienced team, from among the “big names”. In fact, the sports pundits had written them off even before the first whistle for the season was blown. And blow they did – the Trinity Lions – coming out with some rampaging scores and to win all games, to date, but one. They lost to the Peterites by a score in Pallekale.

Kingswood, too, was not even mentioned at the pre-season previews. They, in fact, had a shaky and iffy start, desperately holding on for a couple of wins against Royal and St. Anthony’s. They lost a game they would rather their nightmares would forget, after a pathetic display of prep-school rugby against St. Peter’s at Bambalapitiya. But since, the Kingswoodians had punched each other awake to come up with an unbeaten record going into Sunday’s decider.

Trinity’s backs have made their opposition pay their insurance on time.

But, more than anything else, a motivating factor would be the “cold rivalry” flared in either side after last year’s fixture – a fixture that ended with 5 Kingswoodians hospitalized, the referee Pradeep Fernando beaten up and the Trinitians victorious. This would no doubt intensify the rivalry – though, by all accounts, none of the players, officials and the crowd would bargain for a repetition of the punch up.

In a rumour related to Sunday’s game, it is widely held that some “aiyas” of another school – a school that got into trouble with Trinity following their game a few weeks back – will initiate some kind of disruption that will lead to a beat-up. So, the officials of both schools – keep your eyes awake!

Trinity is led by their modest-speaking coloursman Milinda Gunawardena, comprising a solid “lose back” division and an agile set of “backs” that have kept the score machine running. Their weakness this season has been the absence of a reliable place kicker. Kicking for them has been all “trial and error” – mostly error. Kingswood, led by “lose forward” Gayan Rathnage, too, has a heavy duty “back” – that didn’t seem to exist before their defeat by St. Peter’s. But, since, their batteries have charged up and fortunes have changed. The find for Kingswood this season – their Fullback Sansoni – is reported to have recovered fully to play on Sunday.

On whose ass will the last try be planted and whose jazz will be played to Sunday’s sunset over Bogambora? Tough call, ref – can we have a time out on that?

Kick off is at 4.30. Local time.

Wonder whether Pradeep Fernando will be there? At least to celebrate the anniversary.

Also visit:

http://srilankarugbynews.googlepages.com/trinityvskingswoodpoll

Punish the monkey.

Graydon tells me you’re

Getting along sweet with your tinsels,

Colours and, in love, your new found friends.

Leaving ends, I clear out the batteries

And your memories I sell

For what they will fetch –

Cos if I am to holler and damn them to Hell

They may end up in Heaven,

Cos that’s where you were going:

Heaven and your memories may

Take my life away

Leaving a space mown to let

And a dream of regret

Where we sat nose touching nose

Well, as well when down with viral flu,

Kissing sweet kissing till you eyes

Closed eyes on you.

Kingswood, Kandy, is the school that introduced rugby to Sri Lankan schools in 1893. In recent times, they have been one of the more fancied, crowed-pullers, winning the Super League thrice between 2003-2006 and dominating many other domestic schools’ championships.

However, no one would have believed any of these had they seen Kingswood playing this evening, in their crunch game against the defending champions, St. Peters. To say Kingswood played ordinary rugby is an understatement. To say their display is pathetic is an oversimplification. Kingswood failed miserably – too miserably to even do the basics: there were plenty of knock ons, poor linking and disastrous collections from the back division and the body language was of a dispirited, broken team that had only one way to go – down.

Line throws were miserably crooked, forcing the Kingswoodians to give away hard earned territory on many an occasion. Every time they fought their way to the Peterite line, they had to retreat, owing to some careless error – if not a crooked throw, a careless ‘off side’ or a knock on. Imagination, it is said, is the least exercised human power. Well, the Peterites used it sparingly. The Kingswoodians had none of it.

Peter would put a big black star in front of Kingswood’s name as they enter heaven one day.

Statistically, Kingswood had more chances of pulling out a score, but for their spineless end games near the opposition line. Specially, in the second half, Kingswood took the game deep into Peterite territory, but to flop it and mess it up all each time. The Peterites, too, were messy and ordinary, being unable to capitalize on the mistakes the Kingswoodians offered. On a different day, the Peterites could have easily piled up a 35-40 score with the kind of rugby the Kingswoodians exhibited the Bamba crowd with.

There was a sheer contrast between the linking among the Peterite back division as opposed to their Kingswood counterparts. They, whose swift moves and stepping had the Kingswoodians lunging for desperate defense, were yards ahead in terms of agility and balance. Yet, even the Peter’s lads lacked the “finishing touch” losing the ball on many occasions after making a charge at the Kingswood line.

Kingswood, in their current form, is a clear “goner” – the number of “off sides” and penalties they conceded today is the most by any team that the writer has witnessed in recent years. Not even a Division ‘C’ team with one year of rugger experience can be expected to commit the “faults” Kingswood committed today with their indiscipline and lackluster play. Most shocking was when the Kingswood team charged a penalty given the opposition team earlier on in the game. A team cannot charge a penalty, and as to what Kingswood was thinking shows the level at which they have understood their game.

Overall, the game was a mediocre affair: one team failing to capitalize; the other – Kingswood – capitally punishing its supporters and thousands of rugby fans islandwide.

In a parallel game at Longdon Place, Isipatana defeated St. Anthony’s 32-10. According to the latest developments, Trinity heads the Super League points table running undefeated. St. Thomas’ is at the number 2 slot.      

Momma’s gonna keep baby cozy and warm.
Oooo babe.
Oooo babe.
Oooo babe, of course mommas gonna help build a wall.

Kingswood, Kandy celebrated its 117^th anniversary in style as they made a late charge against an agile Anthonian attack at Nittawela this evening. The visitors from Randles’ Hill clinched the game 19-12, after trailing 7-3 at the breather.

However, the game was a huge let off from the stand point of “quality”, as loose ball handling, knock-ons, clumsy collections, wayward and forward passes, butterfingers and the like marred the performance of two sides reputed for carnage and destruction.

The Anthonian back division, in particular, had some classy moves but lacked the discipline to finish off the breaks. However, it was Kingswood that dominated play in the First Half, taking the ball deep into Anthonian territory but giving it away with their clumsy handling. After an early penalty from the Kingswood Scrum Half Roshan Weeraratne, the Anthonians stole a loose ball off the grip of the Kingswood Fullback to score under the post through their Number 09, Reyal.

The Second Half saw Kingswood re-entering the game with renewed vigour. In the 59^th minute, Roshan Weeraratne went over for the solitary Kingswood try of the evening. In addition he added the extra 2 points, while firing across two further penalties and a cheeky drop goal to end injury time.

St. Anthony’s, however, seemed the less “sloppier” of the two sides. They, in fact, dominated the score for the first 50 minutes of play. The Kingswood back division was found feet-bound and was once too often messy with their collections. However, this inadequacy was compensated by some skillful moves by the Flank and the Centres. Kingswood’s issues include the lack of a reliable place-kicker. Weeraratne, to date, has not lived up to the standards set by Kingswood’s kickers from the last few seasons: Weerakkody and Dev Anand. Therefore, he will really have to revamp his boots ahead of crucial fixtures against Trinity, Isipatana, St. Peter’s and St. Thomas’.   

In fact, the League is – as of now – left wide open with shock defeats delivered to the pre-season favourites Peter’s and Isipatana over the week. The biggest shocker came in the way of the Bamba lads, as they were rudely woken up from their high ride by the Thomians yesterday.

While the Thomians have proved that they mean business this season, the Trinitians, too, have laced up their boots for a spanking of their opponents. They paid a 60-6 neighbourly call to Vidyartha yesterday, building on the ground they cleared last week by thumping Isipatana at Longdon Place.  

UNIFUSION – the Peradeniya University Music Society’s all faculty evening of rhythm and dance – had many beats to it this time. The most irritating of these was a band of dissenters sent there (?) by what we believe is the / a hand of the Students’ Union, which has differences with an alternative student-political ideology represented by part of the Organizing Committee of UNIFUSION.

It is an acknowledged fact that English-related activities and programmes organized by alternative, non-Students’ Union bodies at Peradeniya are “not approved” by the censorious “big brother rules” agenda of the SU. These programmes, therefore, musical or otherwise, have to “face the music” if the SU decides to “play”. And this evening, so to speak, was one of them.

The commencing of the programme itself was delayed when an alleged SU backed faction consisting students from the Engineering and Arts faculties came and demanded admittance to the theatre for Rs. 20. This was in spite of the tickets being already priced at Rs. 50 for students. In their view, it was atrocious and against university policy to charge a student more than Rs. 20. Anyways. They also complained that posters announcing UNIFUSION – which were put up around campus and town early this week – were pasted over SU posters that promoted a “blood donation” which the SU is said to have organized. So, the compensation, by their logic, was to force into the show and to call for blood.

And blood, indeed, was their call – as the organized body of dissenters, sitting in the back rows of the EOE Pereira theatre launched into a medley of chants, hoots, interruptions, shouts and boisterous clapping while the items were being presented. The performers, however, held an iron nerve and concrete guts as not to be disturbed or “put off” by the rowdy saboteurs. The announcer remarked that the misbehaving section was “a disgrace to the university” and that the show will go on for the benefit of “the disciplined parties” present.

The evening was a magnifique fusion of diverse styles, cultures, genres braced by the rich talent of the performers. The items included solo singing, many a colourful dance item, a couple of groovy skits and a refreshing mix of music from the 60s to alternative rock and hip hop. The show, which was initiated last year, was meant to fuse together the many styles – bringing on to one stage the diversity of culture(s) and the “sense” of art that is around us. And true to the word, tonight’s show cut across a rich variety of Sinhala, Tamil, English, Latin, Classical, Hindi “cultures” – bringing together generations of creative will on a 21^st Century stage.

But, of course, the Students’ Union proxies had to cock up their politically prejudiced, parochial pistols and keep on interrupting. By the time the 5^th item was on there were almost 40 dissenters seated in the back rows of the EOE. Most of them are alleged to be First Year students from the Engineering Faculty, joined by “crack troops” from Arts (Usually, as per SU fetish of “structure”, the First Year kids get to do the laundry of the Seniors). However, the sad part for the dissenters was that not many were too bothered by them, as the performers got on with their hard-rehearsed acts.

Where metaphors fail, deeds speak out loud.

The audience, too, backed up the performers giving them warm applause and by clapping in rhythm of the singing on stage. So, being badly let down, the dissenters tried their last card by attempting to rouse a riot inside the house. A group of the rioters initiated their own “talent show” making marauding gestures and flapping their hands all around accusing a section of the audience for, with the aid of a mobile phone, having “videoed their dissent”.

So?

I mean, surely, if they were not violating any law or breaking any ethical codes, why should they be thus worried that their mayhem making was taped?

However, what followed was a disturbing and violent spat of words – as the vent of the dissenters’ frustration got thrown all over the audience consisting of faculty, fathers, mothers, family members of students, kids and outsiders. And it stank.

The security division was, then, summoned and with some of the organizers committing, and with an overall delay of 20 minute, the dissenters were finally led out of the EOE theatre. The writer is not 100% aware as to what exactly caused the dissenters to agree to leave – but, in the final analysis it so happened that they came, they saw….and they had to leave.

While the din was on, the Organizing Committee, one felt, did an excellent job not letting things get totally out of hand – and, by not reacting to the intruders. Applause should also go to the two announcers, Ms. Hashintha Jayasinghe and Mr. Arshed Fazal for keeping their heads up under pressure and for handling it all coolly.

The evening resumed and the rest of the programme went on uninterrupted. But, it is nothing less than the utter misfortune of the country that agents such as the SU of a leading University – an agent who has legitimacy and a politically recognized position within the Establishment – act in such lowly gestures. Clearly, UNIFUSION has to be appreciated, at least, at two levels:

1. For bringing together the eight faculties of the University for an active evening of performance art.
2. For opening up a creative forum as the meeting point of diverse cultures, diverse “senses” and for pushing the horizons of creativity – both conceptually and practically.

Art has no language. And even if it did have one, our belief is that it would be shades different from the language of a parochial little group that, while sucking out of the nipple of a political party based in Battaramulla, assumes the name of Students’ Union. Of course, in a dynamic and active society we all encounter problems whether we work in tandem with, abreast of or against one another. But, the solutions to these issues have to be sorted out in ways that, in the end, the solution would be a solution.

Kingswood defeated Royal 13-7, after leading 7-0 at the short whistle at Bogambora last Thursday (24th). Kingswood played a spirited first half, marked with some splendid breaks and a dogged defence every time royal made it to their quarter. After a 2007 marked with controversy and suspensions both teams were giving their best to “lock up the ghosts” and to put points on the board.

However, Kingswood – despite being the lighter side – played a good “link” game occupying more territory and driving the ball up the park whenever possible. Specially their Fullback MC Sansoni (who shows good promise) was spot on with his clearances and offensive play.

Kingswood’s converted try came through Prop HP Dharmawardana in the 35^th minute. In addition Scrum Half cum kicker Roshan Weeraratne fired across 2 penalties. Royal responded with a solitary goal in the 2^nd Half. The Royal Number 8 had a wonderful game giving the home crowd a few anxious moments, but he lacked support from the front rowers in executing something dramatic.

However, one noticed that Kingswood was a bit rusty in their work in the 2^nd Half. The legs seemed to tire a bit quickly and the defense was napping on a couple of occasions. This will not do any good for them when they meet tougher XV’s such as St. Peter’s and Isipathana in weeks to come.

In what appears a change of tactics, Kingswood was seen to “use” their Forwards for territory and not solely depend on the back division as has been the case in recent years. In that sense, there seemed to be more “balance” in the team. The Half Back and Fullback, both, were sound with their kicking – which is a good sign ahead of crucial fixtures to come.

Kandy’s flashy XV [specially, the jersey and their unpredictable play] – Trinity – too put four straight aces on Isipatana’s table as they shocked a capacity Longdon Place with their 29-10 victory over the Green Jersey giants. Trinity, who are, in reality, an underdog side this season have made an early statement and set up the tempo for their 2008 season.

Isipatana, it should be noted, is one of the favourites this year having already won two 7’s tournaments in Colombo. But, they had not been seriously tested by any of the Kandy schools till the Longdon Place outing. Trinity’s performance comes as a result of combined purposeful play. Despite their inexperience the team seemed to group as a determined unit.

Both Kingswood and Trinity play without their “big names” from last year. It surely will be interesting to see the impact they can make and resist the St. Peter’s challenge – the favourites this year [too].        

Vivimarie VanderPoorten was judged as the winner of the Gratiaen Prize 2008, yesterday, the 26th. She received the honours [and Rs. 100,000 mind you] for her ispirational collection of poetry “Nothing Prepares You” (Zeus, 2007).

Team 00:00:01 congradulates Vivimarie and wishes her the best for her career ahead!!! For our report on the Gratiaen prize, also visit

http://jr1978.wordpress.com/2008/04/09/an-all-poets-gratiaen-final-the-final-five-is-out-who-will-rhyme-till-the-end-gratiaen-prize-2008/ 

The School Rugby Season for 2008 is just kicking off. This week will see the first blood being drawn as, to my knowledge, at least 3 fixtures will go ahead between now and Saturday.

Going through last weekend’s English newspapers, however, we learn that “controversy” – arguably the winner of last season’s league [only second, maybe, to St Peter's] – is still lurking around the playing area. This time around, it is St. Peter’s who has decided to initiate matters by crying foul. Apparently, the SPC XV have been allocated 6 “Away” games and only 2 “Home” fixtures. All this had occured in the absence of their MIC had [for some reason or the other] failed to attend the draw. So, as to who is at fault is a matter inviting debate; but, my superstitious strain tells me that this might just be an early “knock on” and that the best “off field” rucks are yet to be.

Among other things that haven’t improved since last season (well, this has never improved and one doubts whether it will, ever, improve at all) is the unabashed bias shown to Colombo schools by the local press. The Sunday Times reporting on the season-to-be last Sunday, singles out five schools to be “top contenders” for the Division 1 plum this year. The schools thus privileged are St. Peter’s, Royal, St. Thomas’, Isipathana and Trinity.

Local rugby writers are pant-less in showing their Colombo bias

Of course, St Peter’s and Isipathana can well be the pre-season devils on the rampage this season after their sizzling moves last year — which, by all indications, they have carried into the present season. But, as to how the three members of the “Old Pals’ Club” – Royal, Thomas’ and Trinity – came in among the pre-season “top” teams is highly questionable. If at all, it only shows the elite bias our reporters and “experts” on rugby carry with them.

One column written by an expert on rugby. The column, very often, has an Old Tie bias.

Incidentally, five of the nine schools for Division 1are from Kandy and (except for Trinity) none gets mentioned in the above Sunday Times report. Kingswood, Vidyartha, St. Anthony’s, and Dharmaraja join the safari from Kandy and though it is easy for a Colombo 07 news journalist to converse with the Colombo schools, when reporting to the nation, you cannot / should not have such a lukewarm  agenda.

The press has always been lousy on Kandy — be it school’s rugby or club rugby. And this schools’ season one need not be surprised if the same show continues.  

Kandy’s games commence on the 24^th May with Kingswood taking on Royal at Bogambara.