The Asian finance trophy 2014 organized by the Western Province Rugby Football Union ended successfully yesterday at the Police Park grounds Colombo.
The “Asian finance Trophy 2014” kicked off yesterday with many leading Sports Clubs, Development Clubs, Universities, the Mercantile Sector Rugby teams, and Old Boy’s teams showcasing themselves. The tournament was an ideal platform for many clubs to develop and gain recognition in the Sri Lankan Rugby fraternity.
It was most definitely an opportunity for fans and followers of the game to enjoy two days of enthusiastic rugby on display.
The 1st semi final for the Shield was played against the Police SC ‘B’ side and the Kenaliya University SC which was ended in a walk over being awarded to the Police team as the team from Kelaniya was not present.
Road to the semi’s;
Police SC – vs. Virtusa RFC 29 – 07 (Police won)
Vs. Black Hawks RFC (Black Hawks)
Kelaniya University SC – vs. Kothalawala defence SC 26 – 0 (KDUSC)
Vs. Wennappuwa RFC 12 -12 (Draw)
The 2nd Semi final was played between the Old Mudaliyans RFC and the Panadura RFC which Panadura RFC won quite convincingly 33 to 05 reserving their slot in the finals against the Police B side.
Road to the semi’s;
Old Mudaliyans RFC – vs. Navy B 07 – 12 (Navy B)
Vs. Luords RFC 07 – 05 (Old Mudalians RFC)
Panadura RFC – Vs. Air force B – 19 -00 (Air force)
Vs. Gampaha RFC – 12 – 07 (Panadura RFC)
The Shield final was played between the Police B team and Panadura RFC. It was a one sided game from the start where Panadura RFC kept on posing pressure on the Police side. Eventually the score read 33 to 05; Panadura RFC recording a comfortable win to be awarded Shield Champions.
The 1st Bowl semi final was played between the Kothalawala Defense RFC and the Black Hawks RFC. Kothalawala defense university showcased some fine rugby beating the Hawks 26 nil.
Road to the semi’s;
Kothalawala Defense University RFC – vs. Kelaniya University RFC 26 – 0 (KDURFC)
vs. Wennappuwa RFC 35 – 0 (KDURFC)
Black Hawks RFC – vs. Virtusa RFC – 26 – 05 ( Black Hawks RFC)
Vs. Police B – (Black Hawks RFC)
The Navy B team took on the Air force B team in the 2nd bowl semi final. The Air force B side cruised through for an easy win of 14 points to zero.
Road to the semi’s;
Navy B – vs. Lourds RFC – 29 – 0 (Navy B)
Vs. old Mudaliyans RFC 12 – 7 (Navy B)
Air Force B – vs. Gampaha RFC 47 – 0 (Air force RFC)
Vs. Panadura RFC 19 – 0 (Air Force RFC)
A match that seemed to be a cracker of a game ended pretty partial as the game went on as Air Force recorded a win against the Kothalawala defense University RFC 28 to 07 to be awarded Bowl Champions.
The 1st semi final for the plate Championship was played between the Old Kannangara RFC and Petersons RFC. The old Kannangara lads cruised through to a 19 to 07 point win against the Petersons to qualify first to the Finals of the bowl Championship.
Road to the semi’s;
Old Kannangara RFC – vs. Air Force A 19 – 05 (Air force A)
Vs. Havelocks RFC 26 – 12 (Havelocks RFC)
Vs. Moratuwa university RFC (Walked over – Old Kannangara RFC)
Petersons RFC – vs. Carlton RFC 29 – 0 (Carlton RFC)
Vs. Police A 34 – 0 (Police A)
Vs. Navy A 36 – 07 (Navy A)
Semi final #2 for the plate Championship was to be played between the Navy A team and the Moratuwa university RFC but was awarded a walk over to the Navy A team which qualified them to the plate finals to be played against the Old Kannangara RFC.
Road to the Semi’s;
Navy A – vs. Police SC – 24 – 07 (Police)
Vs. Carlton RFC – 22- 07 (Carlton RFC)
Vs. Petersons RFC – 36 – 07 (Navy A)
Moratuwa University RFC did not play any matches in the tournament.
The conditions took a change to the previous day and it became gloomy with dark heavy clouds over the grounds as the Plate final kicked off. The Navy A side seemed to gain control of the game from the kick off and eventually recorded a 26 to 10 win against the Old Kannangara RFC to be presented the Plate Champions.
The 1st Cup semi final was played between Carlton RFC and Havelocks RFC and the Carlton RFC recorded an easy win of 28 to nil to qualify them to the Cup finals to be played later in the evening.
Road to the Semi’s;
Carlton RFC – vs. Petersons RFC 29 – 0 (Carlton RFC)
Vs. Navy A 22 – 7 (Carlton RFC)
Vs. Police RFC 21 – 21 (Draw)
Havelocks RFC – vs. Moratuwa University (Walked over – Havelocks RFC)
Vs. Old Kannangara RFC 26 – 12 (Havelocks RFC)
Vs. Air Force RFC 24 – 0 (Havelocks RFC)
Air Force A played Police A in the second semi finally which was a close game at the end of the first half with Air force leading Police by 10 to 07 points but subsequently Air Force ended up beating Police 22 to 12 to qualify to the main event.
Road to the semi’s;
Air Force A – vs. Old Kannangara RFC 19 – 05 (Air Force A)
Vs. Moratuwa university RFC (Walked over – Air Force)
Vs. Havelocks RFC 24 – 0 (Havelocks RFC)
Police A – vs. Navy RFC 24 – 07 (Police A)
Vs. Petersons RFC 34 -0 (Police A)
Vs. Carlton RFC 21 -21 (Draw)
The main event for the evening got under way with Carlton RFC taking on the Air Force A in the finals played for the Asian Finance Trophy 2014. HE Hon Mahinda Rajapakse and the First Lady Mrs. Shiranthi Rajapakse graced the event adding glamour to the evening and it was a pleasant side to see the proud Mother being introduced to her Son Rohitha Rajapakse who was a player the Carlton RFC at the start of the game.
The final looked to be an exciting contest from the kick off as both teams looked to get into the opponents territory and add points on the board in this quick and short format of the game. It was the Carlton RFC that opened the scoring with a lovely dummy pass to score the first which was followed with another try not long after the first.
The Air Force team too scored successive tries later on in the first half and the team was 10 all at half time.
Half time score 10 – 10
After the short break Carlton RFC began the rampage once again scoring with quick passes and played the gaps masterfully to take the score to 15 to 10, Carlton leading. It wasn’t long before the final try was scored by the Carlton lads to end the game with the referee blowing the final whistle with the score reading 20 to 10 Carlton ahead.
Full time score – 20 – 10 Carton won the match
It was thrilling end to the 2 day long tournament and the Asian Finance trophy 2014 was awarded to the Carlton RFC captain by HE Hon. Mahinda Rajapakse along with a cash award of Rs.100,000 while the most valuable player award was won by Carlton RFCs Jason Dissanayake.
“The main objective of this tournament was to bring together teams in the province ranging from teams like the Kothalawala defense team to the Havelocks RFC team with the motive of developing the sport in the country” said Mr. Dilroy Fernando at the end of the tournament. Tournaments of this nature definitely provide a great opportunity for Rugby teams and developing the nations Rugby at large.
