Ready to torch the touchlines

Dialog Rugby Club Sevens

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Sri Lanka Rugby (SLR) together with Dialog Axiata PLC, held the official media briefing, announcing the dates and teams of the most awaited ‘Dialog Rugby Club Sevens 2019’. The event took place at Longdon Place, earlier this evening.

After trying and testing a 2 legged club sevens tournament last year, the organising committees stated that it was not as successful as they expected, hence, this year, there will be just one leg of scintillating sevens rugby with the participation of 16 teams. 

The tournament will be the opener for the sevens season in 2019 and will be followed up by the Mercantile Sevens and the Schools 7’s tournaments. However, last year, the tournament Kandy SC and CR & FC emerged victorious in the respective legs, but it was CH & FC led by Rohitha Rajapakse who took the series title based on total points.

Along with the defending champs CH, the tri-forces sports clubs , Army, Navy and Air Force and also the Sri Lanka Police SC are all set to feature two teams for the upcoming tournament giving more players the opportunity to showcase their talents. Competing in the top division for the first time, Malay CC, Peterson RFC and Galle RFC will be the newest addition to the Division 1 Sevens Rugby arena. 

“Malay CC, Peterson RFC and Galle RFC deserve to play alongside the top clubs as they earned their right by performing extremely well in the lower divisions. This will also give them the opportunity to showcase their talent and give them the right exposure to become better in the sport” 

Stated Mr. Thusitha Peiris, (Hony. Secretary SLR) when asked what qualifications those three teams possess in order to play in the A division. 

Furthermore, the Deputy President of SLR, Mr. Rizly Illyas, stated that the initial plan was to allow each team to recruit two foreign players for the tournament, but unfortunately since the process took longer than expected, there was insufficient time to complete the arrangements. However though, SLR is looking forward to select a pool of Sevens specialists and make sure they ONLY train Sevens Rugby. But, for that to work, SLR will need more funding, he added. 

The teams will be categorised into 4 groups, A, B, C and D. 

Group A Group B Group C  Group D
CH & FC ‘A’ Air Force ‘A’ Navy SC ‘A’ Police SC ‘A’
Havelock SC CR & FC Kandy SC ‘A’ Army SC ‘A’
Army SC ‘B’ Police SC ‘B’ Air Force SC ‘B’ Navy SC ‘B’
Peterson RFC Galle RFC CH & FC ‘B’ Malay CC

The tournament will be carried out on the 29th and 30th of June from 9.00am onwards at the Racecourse Rugby Stadium. Entrance free!