How two ‘cricket clubs’ shaped the face of rugby-BY HAFIZ MARIKAR Dickoya-Maskeliya Cricket Club, the first to play rugby Source:Sundayobserver The first ever club rugby game to be played in the country was between two Up-Country clubs, Dickoya Maskeliya Cricket Club and Dimbula Athletic and Cricket Club. This match was played on September 7, 1880 with Dickoya Maskeliya CC represented by planters wining the game by 9 points to 3 at Darawella. The return game took place a week later at Radella and Dimbula A & CC came out as winners by three points to nil. Unfortunately, sad to say, today these two clubs are out of the game. Dickoya Maskeliya CC was led by Metafile and the others in the team were Curtis, Frees, Dove, Roswell, Corrier, Graham, Hayden, Messervy, Ogilvy, Parsons, Power, Wetherill, Wilton and Richardson and Dimbula led by Fyers with the rest of the players being ...

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Nimal Malagamuwa was a top class scrum half-By Hafiz Marikar Source:Dailynews Nimal Malagamuwa was a ruggerite, cricketer, athlete and boxer. In rugby he played scrum half for Vidyartha College, St. Anthony’s College, Outstation Schools, Combined Schools, Kandy SC, Up-Country and Sri Lanka. During his career he gave his best. Nimal was best known for his trademark ‘sniping runs’ and played the game well, often scoring tries from ‘tap and go’ penalties. At cricket he was a fine opening batsman, first played for Vidyartha College, then for St. Anthony’s College, Central Province Schools and Combined Schools ...

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Rajan Supun Thalagoda was a fine ruggerite-by Hafiz Marikar Supun Thalagoda Source:Dailynews Supun Thalagoda began his rugby journey at Dharmaraja College aged twelve, first played for the under 15and 17 teams. This scrum half also played in 1978 for 1st XV under late Thilak Jayasundara’s, then in 1978 and 1979 under Milroy Mendis Leadership and 1980 under Hemantha Yatawara. As a player he gave his best for the game of rugby and captained the Dharrmaraja College team in’1981 and was able to win colours and also was the winner of the highest award of the school Dagoba. He was a natural leader on the field and a classy scrum-half who excelled with his passing game, while his kicking has been vital too. ...

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