President’s Trophy final not played on Court order

Ranjan ANANDAPPA

The Sri Lanka Schools Rugby Football Association making a public announcement before the start of the ‘Milo’ President’s Trophy Under 20 schools knock Out final between Royal College and St. Peter’s College, at the Royal College Sports Complex grounds stated that Isipatana has obtained an injunction order from the District Courts of Colombo to withhold the final at 3.45 pm yesterday.

The first semi final match between Isipatana and St. Peter’s last week was brought to an abrupt halt due to a section of the crowd being unruly by throwing stones into the playing area in protest of a controversial decision given by referee Priyantha Gunaratne who called off play ten minutes prior to half time with the Peterites leading 14-0.

The SLSRFA Committee after a meeting had decided to continue the match from where it had stopped. But Isipathana disagreed to the decision and did not take the field last Saturday, and the match was awarded to the Peterites.

Denzil Darling the secretary of the SLSRFA speaking at a hastily convened press briefing yesterday, said that the injunction order obtained by Isipathana is to be taken up for hearing on August 6, 2010.

He said that the SLSRFA was due to convene a special meeting of its office-bearers to decide on whether to lodge an appeal against the injunction order obtained by Isipathana on August 6, 2010. Darling also added that no final decision can be taken as whether the match could be played, and it will all depend on the August 6 court hearing.

The SLSRFA Secretary further said that according to the injunction issued by the Colombo District Courts the respondents who have been sighted are President of the Sri Lanka Schools Rugby Football Association K.A.D. Punyadasa, Secretary Denzil Darling, Gamini Sarathchandra (Tournament Secretary), A. Dodanwela (Member), C.B. Ratnayake (Minister of Sports), Sunil Sirisena (Sec. Ministry of Education).

The enjoining order by the judge was given by taking into consideration an appeal by 24 persons on behalf of Isipathana.

Peterites edge out Royal

For the benefit of the vast crowd present the Heads of the two schools Rev. Fr. Travis Gabriel (St. Peter’s) and Mr. Upali Gunasekera (Royal) agreed to play a friendly match.

In an enthralling match played in a cordial atmosphere St. Peter’s edged out Royal by 29 points (2 goals, 3 tries) to 27 (2 goals, 2 tries, 1 penalty) after trailing by 10-14 at the breather.

Referee: Dilroy Fernando.