Vidyartha College dazzles at Zahira Rugby Sevens 2013

Text and photos by M. Farook Lantra

Vidyartha College, Kandy, the runners-up of  last year’s Cup, came forward with a stupendous performance to beat their arch rivals Nalanda College, Colombo, 36 points (3 goals, 3 tries) to 19 (2 goals, I try) in the Rugby Sevens final played at the Zahira College Grounds, Maradana on 3 March.

Try scorers for Vidyartha were Hashan bandara with 2 tries, M. Thalwatta, Isuru Lakmal, S. Salinda and Dilshan with 1 each, while for Nalanda, tries were planted by T. Samindu, G. Karunathilaka and Devandi Maduraperuma, 1 try each.

Skipper of Vidyartha College, Kandy T.D.M. Thalwatta receiving the champions’ trophy from Chief Guest WPRFU President and SLRFU Secretary Rizly Illyas and a cash award of Rs. 50,000, in the presence of Zahira Board of Governors Chairman Fauzul Hameed, Zahira G-60 President M.N.L. Lantra and Organising Committee Chairman Mazeer M.S.

More than 188 participants from nine leading schools on the island plus Kuching Combined Schools from Malaysia, who added glamour and colour, took part in this tournament which was organised for the sixth successive year by the Zahira College Group of ’60s (G-60) headed by M.S. Mazeer, the Chairman of the Organising Committee, assisted by M.N.B. Lantra, the President of G-60, Tony Amith, Tournament Director, T.M.I. Hamid, Technical Director and Muhuseen Ariff, Tournament Coordinator.

Christopher Joshua of Kuching Combined Schools, Malaysia receiving the Most Outstanding Player trophy from Zahira College Principal Trizviiy Marikkar

This grand tournament was co-sponsored by Allied Trading International, Faiz Brothers and P.M. Mohamed Ali & Co. The Chief Guest at the grand finale was WPRFU President and SLRFU Secretary Rizly Illyas who gave a remarkable speech before the award ceremony. He noted that it was amazing to see the discipline exercised by the players and the respect shown towards the rugby referees right up to the final, adding that it was a good example to other schools.

Skipper of Kuching Combined Schools, Malaysia Syafik Afik receiving the Plate trophy from Zahira G-60 President M.N.L. Lantra along with a cash award of Rs. 25,000	Skipper of Lalith Athtlath Mudali College, Mt. Lavinia Samira Rukshan receiving the Bowl trophy from Faiz Brothers Director Nafaiz Hamdoon along with a cash award of Rs. 10,000

The Plate was won by Kuching Combined Schools, Malaysia who beat Carey College, Colombo, 32 points to nil, while the Bowl was won by Lalith Athulathmudali College, Mt. Lavinia who beat Zahira College, Colombo, 12 points to 7. The Most Outstanding Player trophy was won by Christopher Joshua of Kuching Combined Schools, Malaysia for his outstanding performance. The final was handled by Referee Gamini Indrasena.