Havelocks come in for some stick for its appalling decline :

Stripped Kandy showcases Sri Lanka rugby in Dubai debut

Expat Sri Lanka rugby fans want to see more club teams coming out:

By Allaam Ousman

DUBAI: Kandy Sports Club's impressive display in the inaugural West Asia Rugby Champions League in Dubai has left a deep imprint about the quality and talent available in Sri Lanka.

The Sri Lankan club rugby champions lived up to their billing to feature in a thrilling title clash with Doha RFC who edged them out 29-17. After being held to a 35-all draw by Olymp from Kazakhstan and earning full points when Abu Dhabi Saracens were forced to forfeit their tie, Kandy SC were installed as favourites ahead of the decisive clash.

But it seemed too much to ask for from Kandy who left behind seven top players engaged in national duty and came up short against a well-drilled Doha side, winners of the Gulf Top 6 competition last season. Nonetheless, Sri Lankan rugby fans starved of seeing their national team who were a regular feature at the Dubai Rugby Sevens earlier lapped up the excitement as Kandy locked horns with champion clubs from Qatar, Kazakhstan and hosts UAE.

More significantly, Sri Lankan expatriates living in Dubai shed aside their club loyalties to rally as one to cheer for Kandy SC. Chants of 'Go Kandy Go,Go Kandy Go' resonated around The Sevens stadium in Dubai as Kandy ran out to the field with support for the Sri Lankans being clearly evident throughout the game although Doha RFC kept their noses in front as far as the score-line was concerned.

Despite ending up on the losing side, Kandy SC showed flashes of brilliance to leave fans purring with delight as they breached Doha RFC's defence twice in the first half to close the gap to just two points at one stage.

A Sri Lankan rugby fan Deepal Rajaguru was drooling even though Kandy SC's goal kicker Arshad Jamaldeen was awry with a superb drop goal attempt from 40 metres out just before the interval. Former Royal skipper Jamaldeen who starred in the opening game against Olymp contributing 18 points, including a try, sounded an ominous warning for the season ahead.

"I'm fully fit and raring to go. My aim is to be the number one stand-off and beat my father's (Nizam Jamaldeen) record of 248 points," said the 22 year-old who has been plagued by injuries during his fledgling career but has passed the test during the last two seasons for Kandy SC.

"I always wanted to play for Kandy though I started at Police. Kandy is the best club in Sri Lanka and to be the best you have to play with the best," added Jamaldeen who was off colour against Doha RFC.

"It was a superb attempt by Royalist Jamaldeen. If it (drop kick) had gone over we would have been leading (15-14) at half time," said Rajaguru who also rued the fact that Kandy did not use their faster three-quarters more. "We should have attacked with our backs instead of defending with our forwards. But they played their hearts out in stifling heat," he added.

Indeed, the finishing touches to the hard work of the forwards were made by wingers Thilina Wijesinghe and Dansha Dayan (2), including a spectacular try following an interception from the 22 by Japanese centre Oscar Ouma Achieng. The never-say-die Kandy side clawed their way back to make it 17-21 before Doha RFC pulled away to emerge victorious 28-17.

Former Kandy and Sri Lanka full back Nalaka Weerakkody felt the team lacked intensity for the high pressure finale.

"Honestly, we cannot be satisfied with our performance. It was below our potential. However, considering the fact that we did not have many experienced players, we cannot blame the team.We will be ready for the upcoming season after playing a few more practice games," he added.

Former Sri Lanka scrumhalf Roger Rodrigo, a Dubai Exiles stalwart, had also expected a Kandy win. "This is a good tournament. At least Sri Lankans living here can see how they perform here. Also it is good for Lanka Lions rugby to show what type of rugby we play back at home. To show the talent that we have in Colombo," said Rodrigo, who is sports secretary of Lanka Lions SC.

Irrespective of the result, rugby fans expressed a desire to see more Sri Lankan club teams showcase their talents outside the country.

"It was a dream to see Kandy SC playing. I had hoped they would win," said Krishantha Gunaratne, a product of St Anthony's, Katugastota and a Dubai resident for the past five years.

"Kandy coming here is good for Sri Lanka rugby," said former Trinity and CH and FC centre Azarath Deen."

"As a Sri Lankan rugby fan, it was a pleasure for us to come down here and support Kandy. I think they gave their best but came up short.. It's all about the game. As long as a team from Sri Lanka can make the trip to Dubai, play quality rugby, that's what you expect," said Clement Isack, a long-time Dubai resident who hails from Kandy.

"I think there is a perception in the rest of the world that Sri Lanka and its rugby is not that great. But I think (our) boys from Kandy proved a point here today. Whenever Sri Lanka has played in the Asian circuit (we) put up a fight. There has been tremendous growth of the sport in Sri Lanka. If you look at the schools league in Sri Lanka, it is one of the most competitive in Asia. Things can only get better from here," said Isack.

Another ardent rugby follower was more succinct in his appraisal of the impact Kandy SC's participation in Dubai would have.

"Kandy being here is a big opportunity for Sri Lanka because it opens the doors for people to see the talent of Sri Lankan rugby. It would have been better if it had been the top-end Kandy side. For us Sri Lankans who are living here (Dubai) we take a lot of pride in the national flag," said Richard Murcott, a former Havelocks coach.

"This tournament I hope they grow it. Sri Lanka clubs should come here and play some friendly games against these sides. Simply because for me as a coach, it is about showing the talent of Sri Lanka to the Europeans. When they talk about rugby here, people laugh at us. Oh! Sri Lankan cricket and we have to tell them this is what we do. Only bit they see of Sri Lanka is when the Lanka Lions play (in the Dubai Sevens)," said Murcott who is coach of Lanka Lions this season.

"When they see Kandy play, it's a huge level. Wow! you actually have amazing ruggerites. They know only one or two names but they have seen the cream of it because there are far more talented players. Another thing is the passion of schools rugby in Sri Lanka that is so much higher than what you see here. Our schoolboys will come and knock them off," added the former Peterite.

"As a Sri Lankan (I'm) proud to see Kandy play here and very much supporting these boys. It's not about a club here, it's about our country. Kandy deserves to be here because over the years, win or lose, they have been a side that has shown a lot of professionalism and with the leadership of Malik Samarawickrema they have really shown that," he added.

However, he could not resist throwing a punch at his old club, lamenting the fact that Havelocks have not prospered since winning the league title under his stewardship after 31years in 2012.

"Sad to say Havelocks rugby instead of going forward I think actually they took 10 stepsbackwards. I think it's a coaching issue. I learnt my coaching from the great Ana Saranapala. When I consider coaches of that calibre to coaches we get nowadays, I can say there is only one top quality coach in Leonard de Zilva who coached Navy in the following year after Havelocks won the trophy. He was assistant coach then. This is why I feel Havelocks missed the bus," said Murcott who follows the game passionately since being in Dubai for the past five years.