Kandy needs more rugby clubs - Seevali Samarasekera

by Upananda Jayasundera

There is an abundance of rugby talent in Kandy schools , but most of the players fall on the way side after representing their respective schools as a result of not having more rugby playing clubs barring Kandy SC. These were the sentiments aired by Seevali Samaraskera the former Trinity College, Kandy SC and Police SC player.

Seevali Samarasekera better known as Sam had many firsts to his school, Kandy SC and Police. He played with the likes of 'Kalu' Silva and Nimal Lewke while representing the police in 1972. His skipper the amiable Anton Benedict was his mentor.

Samarasekera paid a fitting tribute classing Benedict who not only taught him a lot while at police , and also advised him how to stand up and work for the right thing.

At junior level Sam was an understudy of Hilary Abeyratne who was a colossal figure of Trinity rugby and Sam made his rugby debut under Hilary's nephew Ajith Abeyratne.

In 1968 the year Royal won the Bradby Shield, Seevali classed Jagath Fernando of Royal as the finest centre three quarters he had played against. The following year Sam played under Shaffie Jainudeen and Trinity regained the Bradby Shield in a tight contest. Trinity was coached by the late Denzil Kobbekaduwa.

Sam represented Kandy SC as a schoolboy along with Jainudeen and defeated Havelocks SC in the semi final . But Kandy lost to CR&FC in the final.