Irwin Howie - a star performer on the rugby field
by Hafiz Marikar
At this time of the year when the SLRFU for the first time changed
the local rugby season to November 2013 to March 2014, merely to
accommodate International tournaments and fixtures, it is a joyful and
memorable occasion to run into unforgettable rugby stars of the past.
Today it's on the dynamic and cheerful rugby star Irwin Howie. Rugby
fans in the ninteen sixties and seventies were star-gazing at the
brilliant performance of Irwin. It was due to Irwin Howie's motivation,
that Kandy Sports Club entered the Cup final after nine long yeas in
1978.
Irwin Howie a fine fly-half the country has seen. He played rugger
for Trinity College at all age groups starting as scrum-half at fewer
than 15 and ended as one of the best fly halves. At senior level, he was
well known for his kicking, at which he was good in scoring drop goals
from any angle and he was also good in punts and cross kicks.
Irwin first played for Trinity, under Shafie Jainudeen in 1969, the
year Trinity won both the Bradby games 8-0 and 9-3.
The Team was from Y.S.Ping, H.C. Gunasekera, Mohan Samarakoon,
K.R.Tenekoon, Anura Madawala, Iswan Omar, R.G. Pananbokke, Shanthi
Kumar, Tikiri Marambe and Irwin Howie, P. Nugawela, Sam Samarasekara,
Nihal Marambe, F. Prins, Shafie Jainudeen. In 1970, Irwin played under
Sam Samarasekara, That year too, both Brady games went in favour of
Trinity College 19-3 and 16-12.
In 1971, Irwin played under Y.S.Ping and some of the players in that
side were Nihal Marambe, Cuda Wadugodapitiya, Niroshan de Silva, Lalith
Ramanayake, Jeffery U.
That year there was only 'one leg' of the Bradby where Royal won by
22 points to nil. Irwin won his rugger Colours in 1969 along with
H.C.Guanasekara, Tikiri Marambe, R.G. Panabokke, Y.S. Ping, Mohan
Samarakoon and E.R.Tenakoon and the 'Rugby Lion' in 1971 with Tikiri
Marambe and Y.S.Ping. He also played cricket, mainly in the "A" team.
Irwin Howie was a regular member of the combined schools team while
being at Trinity. While in school Irwin played for Dickoya MCC, the area
where his father was planting, and gave his best. Seeing his ability, CH
&FC pulled him to Maitland Crescent and after a short stay, he crossed
over to CR & FC and played for a few years. However he enjoyed his rugby
after coming to Kandy, where in 1975 he first played under Iswan Omar.
Then came Howie's turn and he led in 1978 under the Presidency of Dr.
C.D.L. Fernando. Irwin coached this team with the assistance of Sarath
Imbuldeniya and took the side to the Clifford Cup finals, and lost to
Anton Benedict's Havelock Sports Club, which final was refereed by late
Lt.Gen. Denzil Kobbekaduwa, the 1969 Kandy Sports Club's cup final
captain. In this final Kandy had all the chances of winning, but their
prop forward Bola Gunaratne failed to touch down after crossing the
line.
Irwin also led the side in 1979 which was almost the same side as the
previous year. For his superb performances Irwin was called to lead the
country in 1978 at the Rugby Asiad held in Malaysia, he also led the
Up-Country team in the same year in the Capper Cup.
Howie then took to coaching and he took on the Antonians in Kandy,
thereafter he was invited to take over Trinity College after which he
led the country in 1978 and later went on to help Dharmaraja College.
Irwin was a polished player, he could catch the ball from any angle,
his style of play was excellent, and his dummying, scissor pass and
reverse pass were superb.
Today we very rarely see a pass of Irwin's style. What he wanted was
the ball, with the ball in hand he knew exactly what to do.
The 1978 Sri Lanka rugby skipper Irwin Howie, periodically visits
Kandy on a holiday with his wife Yvette Solomons and meets all his
friends and rejoices the experience of yester years and visits his club
Kandy Sports Club.
Irwin Howie migrated to Australia in mid 1980's with his wife, son
Miles and daughter Rosemary and they are living in Australia. |
