Maurice Joachim was an excellent ruggerite

Maurice Joachim a product of St. Anthony’s College was a top class rugger player who led the Kandy SC in 1992 Clifford Cup finals to win the trophy for the first time in the history of Clifford Cup. Maurice, as he

is known by his friends, was one of the top three quarters produced by Katugastota Antonians. He was coached by two top ruggerites Kalu Perera, a well known figure in the coaching arena, and Ajith Fernando. Soon after the school season, Viper Gunaratne jnr., dragged him to Kandy Sports Club, and found him a job at Ceylon Tobacco Leaf Division. After some time, Maurice joined Penguin Sports Wear Garments with great

involvement with Kandy. Maurice got the ‘break’ in 1990 to lead the Kandy S.C. team, and also he was called upon to lead the side in 1992 for the Clifford Cup Knockout. He led the side to win the Clifford Cup for the first time in the 42 year old history. He also led the side in 1988 and 1989, when the regular Captains Anil Jayasinghe and C.S. Ekanayake were on the injured list.

He played for the Nittawela Club from 1985 to 1993. When he led them to win the Clifford Cup in 1992.

he was coached by Alex Lazarus and the players who were his teammates were - L.V. Ekanayake, Shyam Sideek, Kitti Rataudra, Priyantha Ekanayake, Palitha Wijesuriya, Edward Wijesuriya, Leroy Fonseka, K. Ratnayake, Indrajith Bandaranayake, Imthi Marikar, Batti Penaia, Saman Kotelawala, Kapila Samarakoon, Pubudu Fernando, Jayson Gauthrie, Rizvi Suhayb, Sabri Razak.

Maurice helped Kandy Sports Club rugby in a big way, and also he made valuable contribution to improve rugby in Kandy. During his playing days, he was best, and he was marked at every game, if he got the ball, it was sure of a good move. He was famous for his scissor passes and dummies. He had a fine style of playing and he had a crouched running action, knees bent, head held low and had long strides that made it a difficult task for the opponents to bring him down.

He played entertaining rugby and would execute, moves at top speed, make side-step breakaways and a change of direction was simple for him. He was one of the finest ruggerites who made the rugby field colourful and was courageous as a player, Maurice was synonymous with rugger and he is one player who was able to make or break games, especially with his kicking.