Navy wins Most Popualr Rugger Team Award:

Lewke -OBSERVER-CALTEX Most Popular Ruggerite 2011

By Ranjan ANANDAPPA

OBSERVER-CALTEXT RUGBY: Former Sri Lanka skipper and the present captain of CR and FC Dushan Lewke was voted as the Most Popular Ruggerite 2011 by the readers of the Sunday Observer for the second time at the conclusion of the Sunday Observer/Caltex Most Popular Rugger Player and the Most Popular Rugger Team competition which lasted for 27 weeks as the curtain came down with the final coupon number 27.

Lewke, the second time winner polled 57,103 votes edging out Navy’s fly half and ‘drop kick’ specialist Dev Anand who had good support from his fans with fluctuated fortunes in the competition, was pushed into second place polling 54,361 votes. Kandy SC’s and Sri Lanka fly half Fazil Marija who was engaged in a three cornered tussle right from the beginning of the competition, ended up in number three position with a vote count of 49,104.

Like Lewke, Marija too was a past winner of the contest. Dushan Lewke was the vice captain of the invincible Royal College rugby team of 2002 and after leaving school he turned out for CH & FC from 2003 to 2005 before crossing over to Kandy Sports Club. He played a keyrole in Kandy SC’s success in the 2005 Clifford Cup. He represented the Kandy club till 2007, prior to joining the CR & FC in 2008 and has been a tower of strength to the ‘Red Shirts’ for the past four years. Lewke, has been an automatic choice for the national team since he made his debut in 2003. He is indefatigable at the number eight position and a source of inspiration to his teammates with his fiery loose play throughout the season.

He has led his side by example.

The Sri Lanka Navy who have enjoyed one of their best seasons in recent times, was voted as the Most Popular Team 2011.

The Sailors were led by that deligent flanker Yoshitha Rajapaksa who gave a startling display throughout the season emerging runners-up in the Caltex ‘A’ Division League tournament. They just missed the prestigious Clifford Cup by a whisker, losing to Kandy 16/17 in the final and richly deserves the honour of being voted as the Most Popular Team ahead of CR & FC polling 52,481 votes.

Kandy SC who won the rugby double finished third with 50,277 votes. CR and FC who were runners-up in the Most Popular Team competition with 50,994 votes. Votes .