After trying hard to have a successful rugby wedding, twice in fact within one season, St Joseph’s finally managed to pen their signature as the groom in the wedding book. They had their silverware, a moment under the sun and the dowry which they so longed for. It came in the form of the Singer sevens schools title.
Boa straight-up by Boa Athu
Boa played his rugby at Royal College and CH &FC but now…
Losing to the first husband who they subsequently beat this time around and then upstaged by the sister of the bride at the Knockout final, it was a sweet deal to savor. Royal College and they played out a terrific game of sevens and the Josephians fully deserved their win. It was all to relish their moment at the altar.
Nearly, marred by a terrible red card, which was almost like the drunk father in law pulling a stunt in the middle of the dance floor. Thankfully, it didn’t influence the outcome nor did it come back to haunt them. The aggression and intent were reminiscent of a divorce trial.
So, it was a fantastic and fitting way to end the schools season all up with Royal becoming unbeaten league champs, then St Peter’s winning a consolation Knockout and St Joseph’s the shorter format in sevens. That would mean, that everyone, finally–finally, went home happy celebrating their three-way honeymoon.
So, looking back at what transpired, what do we know after this very entertaining tournament.
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Despite the goal line to goal line entertainment, there were several, key absentees. Fresh off winning their Knockout title, St Peter’s who have an exceptional record in the shorter format, strangely, opted out. This deprived the tournament of a genuine contender.
One would hope that they too haven’t succumbed to the strange phenom which sweeps the local school’s authorities. FoF. Fear of Failure. Worried that a loss may dent their new-found status as KO champions. Citing lack of prep time and injury concerns, even though they celebrated like they could play another whole competition, sadly, they were a none event. Possibly worried about losing? If so, that would be a real shame. This deprived the tournament of a genuine contender.
To add to this, both Trinity and Wesley, sighting a hospital ward like injury list, or so we are made to believe. Two more high profile schools missing in action. Surely, a wider pool and training group would have been available.
Surprising everyone, unbeaten-league champions, Royal, who was far too busy going through their A/L revision papers to play the KO, turned up with a full-strength side to eventually make the final. Arguably, the revision could wait for a weekends stand as the shorter format, took up lesser time or so we are made to believe. The question begs, why didn’t they play the KO and if they did, would they have possibly walked all over everyone, again?
Winning and losing is part of life– it goes on but in this day and age, all schools need to respect the season as a whole and ensure participation for all comps. It is the least they can do. Knockouts and sevens aren’t any lesser of a comp than the season proper/league.
- The match race
#GC V #JD. Gemunu Chethiya Versus Janindu Dilshan. We all wanted it and we got it. What’s more it was in a final.
They both showed and flexed their muscles en route to the last fourteen minutes of the tournament. Chethiya, with his trademark stop-start and dazzle, stood up many defenders as if they never existed.
Dilshan swatted off, broke through tackles and glided through in open space to score at will. He is a treat to behold in open space.
When it all came to a head they didn’t quite have that head to head face off but had a profound effect on the bottom line. Trading tries and try assists, it was Chethiya who had the last say as he stood over a fallen attacker, contesting for the ball and won his team the crucial penalty. It was the final act of the match. He then hoofed it in to touch and set off on a celebratory run towards his bench.
It was pure bliss and letting off some steam which had built up through the season, battling what felt like multiple divorce cases. In the end, winning their share of the estate.
- Yellow was the color of choice and then red
The tournament as a whole saw some sensational plays. Inevitably leading to equally sensational tries. Overall, the skill level of all schools and teams have increased multiple folds.
This, however, was somewhat overshadowed by what felt like a record number of yellow cards. Largely for intentional knockdowns, high shots and blatant looking, tackler not rolling away. Thirty-one (31) in total.
It then turned from yellow to red as two very glaring challenges, including a brutal and almost life-threatening, upside down- head first spear tackle in the final. Mercifully, there was no serious injury. The culprit then seemed to fake an injury of his own before being helped off.
Clamping down on this ill-discipline would have certainly made the game more streamlined and cleaner. Food for thought.
All coaching staff need to take note and work on this. After all, the SLRFU are striving for the shorter format to be their key focus and getting this part right will be a major priority.
- Downloading the offloading game
Almost every single team on hand showed and understood the value of offloading. This allowed for more free-flowing rugby and high scoring encounters. We witnessed well over a thousand offloads combined.
Some of the lesser profile schools, who could not keep up with the physicality, looked to this aspect of their game and found success. Isipathana, in particular, had tremendous success, offloading freely in the tackle area until they came up against Royal. Their trademark, a free-flowing style was in full swing even in their semi-final defeat.
Sevens rugby is, after all, the closest format to the ever popular “tap rugby” or touch. This leveled out the playing field by and large although the pre-tournament favorite eventually ran out winners.
- The touch judge effect
Officiating and refereeing right throughout the season came under the microscope. In fact, the season proper had to be postponed by a week as we witnessed post-match, spectator violence targeting the referees.
This tournament by and large saw very consistent whistleblowing and there seemed to be a huge influence from sideline officials/ assistant ref’s. (AR’s).
It was most obvious and telling in the final, where a forward pass called by the AR overturned a try by Royal and then in the ensuing scrum, Joes, snaked around the blind side to score what was the most decisive play of the game. On the stroke of halftime.
Be that right or wrong, the officials forthrightly made their calls and everyone respected it. You couldn’t help but feel that everyone was doing their jobs, the AR’s more so than anyone else to truly earn their keep.
There was certainly a sense of maturity from everyone and looks like there’s been some growing up, all around.
- Timing is everything
Sevens and this competition have traditionally been played prior to the season proper. To call it a curtain raiser would be a fair description. This year, however, it was played as the curtain call.
After the fifteens– league/season proper, KO and then this as dessert on the menu.
Regardless, it was one very entertaining tournament giving some of the lesser known rugby schools a true opportunity. It would have been great to see some of them feature in the big end but it wasn’t to be.
For example, Vidyartha shot to a 21-5 lead against Royal, only to be beaten 28-21 at the death. They put on a gallant display and possibly deserved better.
No matter when and where the comp is played, if you’re in it, then you must be there to win it. A record participation clearly proved that. It’s a great sign and I can’t help but feel that this format is probably the best to finish with and provides plenty of spectator entertainment.
Moreover, it would have also provided for a scouting platform for “lateral hires” and eye-catching talent on the field for some of the bigger schools. Those who look to enhance their ranks with “importing”. You get the drift.
In any event, dessert is indeed the favorite part of most people’s meals.
- St Joseph’s– the rugby widow, no more!
First ever sevens title for the Josephians.
Surely, the story of the day and eventually the season. Spending heavily and investing in a post-season tour to South Africa last year, they would have felt hard done by and inadequate at coming second, twice.
So, this win is a reward enough and satisfactory Return on Investment. (RoI). They truly deserved it and were easily the best side in the competition. Odds on favorites in my book.
Hypothetically, with their line up and skill set, if this same tournament was played three times over, I could see them winning every single time. With or without the absentees. They have the prowess and the game breakers.
They would do well to curtail their euphoria and not overdo the celebrations but it won’t be so. For they are the sevens champs and a rugby widow no more. No one will remember their runners-up status in both the league and KO, for they will now be known as the 2018 schools sevens champs.
It would go a long way to heal that sinking feeling from a week ago when they were left in tears, sporting an elegant brides dress at the hotel reception. Beaten to the going away car by their very own sister.
For today, they got the honeymoon suite all for themselves with champagne and caviar.
More from Boa’s Column
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