Royalists uphold sportsmanship

The Principal of Royal College, school administration, senior representatives of the Royal College Union and the Royal College Games Council met to discuss the reaction of the Royal College 1st XV Rugby side, to the attempted Haka by Trinity College players.

All present in unison deplored the act as unacceptable. Considering many factors, they unanimously agreed that the Royal 1st XV team should duly apologize to the Trinity team for the manner in which they reacted to the unannounced attempt by the Trinitians to perform a Haka.

Contrary to speculation it was clearly established that no prior intimation was made by Trinity to authorities at Royal. It was regrettably noted that this was a serious lapse and was disheartening to note that the media had been informed when the authorities were kept in the dark.

Thus it was deemed as a spontaneous, immature reaction by a set of rugby players warmed up to take the field to play the most important, intense game in their lives, thus bringing disrepute to the game and the good name of the school. Despite the heat of the few minutes preceding commencement of play, both teams dished out 80 minutes of clean rugby.

It was an intensely fought battle without a single yellow card being shown by the referee. Dilroy Fernando, one of country's reputed and most experienced referees, who officiated, handled the situation with maturity and did not see it as a grave matter of concern.

Nevertheless the authorities took cognizance of the fact that Royalists crossed the centre line, encroached the opponent's territory and made bodily contact which was totally uncalled for and was a serious breach of sporting conduct, at the most respected and prestigious schools rugby game.

The team has accepted responsibility for their behaviour and in a gesture to uphold true value of sportsmanship and the decorum of Bradby Shield traditions, on behalf of the Royal team, captain Rimzie Jamaldeen, vice captain Shuayb Muthalip, along with the Head Prefect of Royal College will head to Trinity College Kandy to render an apology to the Trinity team.