A day in Sri Lanka Rugby I will never forget. – By TREVINE RODRIGO IN MELBOURNE. (eLanka Sports Editor).
A black mark in sport played out in front of thousands who watched inept officials, one a blatant cheat, as linesman, decide on the outcome.
What was worse was, it happened right in front of the media box which I was in. A poem of reminiscing of that day from Ravi Wijenathan, former CH&FC prop who played in that game.
“A Stage Play at Sugathadasa Stadium In memory of 10 September 1984 – The Inaugural R. Premadasa Trophy Final It was the tenth of sweet September, In eighty-four, a day to remember.
CH & FC stood proud and tall, Facing CR in the season’s call. But it was not just sport on show, Not just rugby’s ebb and flow.
It felt instead a scripted scene, A crimson dream, a hidden scheme.
The ball — once firm — was strangely light, Deflated in the golden light. CH passed with skill, played true and fine, But fate had drawn a different line.
The referee’s eyes, sharp and cold, Saw CH errors manifold. Yet blind to red-clad flankers bold, Who broke the line, both young and old.
Push-over tries met with disdain, With penalties the only gain. A whistle’s blast where cheers should roar, The try line lost, forevermore.
And then the play’s final deceit, The act that made the drama complete.
CR kicked the ball to touch — The linesman signaled CH’s clutch. But from the wings, a dark horse came to the fore . A red-shirted form the crowd now jeered.
He threw it quick, the flag went down — The linesman wore a CR crown. A try was scored, the deed was done, CR cheered their shadowed “win” as won.
The CH boys stood broken, still, Hearts robbed by cunning, not by skill. Those men in green Jersey have passed from sight,
No longer in the match’s light. Yet one great soul still walks today, A legend who recalls that play.
He saw the lines, the rules betrayed, The part that truth was never paid. And so we tell this tale once more, Of a trophy soaked in something sore.
Yet CH held their heads up high, For honour never fades nor dies.Though trophies shine and moments pass, Integrity will ever last.”
Comment from the other touch judge in the game who is a perfect gentleman who was a helpless witness to what transpired that fateful day. From Anton Benedict Travesty of Justice indeed as I recall referree Denzil Kobekaduwa whistled signalling a try I was reluctantly compelled to perform my honorary duty and take my position in the Ingoal area so did the other ‘Touch Judge’ and it still rings in my ears what I clearly heard Scrum half Sookomar’s anguish and frustration of the travesty of justice when ‘You bloody Cheat’ understandably ‘its not whether you won or lost but how you played the game’ is the axiom imbibed /close to our hearts as players/Officials/Administrator’s of the great game of Rugby Football ‘A Rowdy game played by gentlemen’ Yes firmly etched in memory.
