Kandy SC in Clifford Cup semis

by S.M. Jiffrey ABDEEN - Kandy Sports Corr.

The defending Caltex Clifford Cup knock-out champions Kandy Sports Club moved into the semi-finals of the Clifford Cup rugby tournament as they received a 'walk-over' from Havelocks Sports Club in the quarter final which was scheduled to be played at the Bogambara Stadium in Kandy yesterday - Saturday. This was disclosed to the Sunday Observer by the Chairman Rugby of Kandy Sports Club Lasantha Wijesuriya.

With some of the clubs pressing for neutral venues, the SLRFU took a decision to play the Kandy segment of the matches at the neutral venue of Bogambara Stadium, this venue is not available as it had been closed for rehabilitation and the scene will now once again shift to the Nittawela Stadium as no other ground is available in Kandy to play matches of this importance and more importantly where 'gates' would be charged. During the League Segment of the tournament, Kandy Sports Club was the only team which travelled down to Colombo to play all the clubs in the tournament where as the Colombo Clubs travel to Kandy just once during the league season. Next is the Clifford Cup knock-out tournament where so much of fuss is made. A few years back, the SLRFU took a decision to play all matches in Colombo and this resulted in Kandy Sports Club pulling out of the tournament.

This was restored the following year when Deputy Inspector General of Police Nimal Lewke took over the presidency of the SLRFU.

Kandy Sports Club is the only outstation club playing top division rugby and they have performed well in the rugby tournaments.