North Western Blacks lead four – way battle for supremacy
- Rugby – Carlton Seven’s – Colombo leg
By Milinda Gunawardena
Jaffna Challengers, Eastern Eagles, North Western blacks and Western Warriors were locked in a four-way battle for supremacy in the Carlton Sevens Colombo leg which began yesterday at the Police Park in Colombo.
There was a carnival atmosphere at the grounds and the spectators turned up in huge numbers to witness a tournament which has become a display of world class and local talent. All teams fought hard and all games were evenly contested out in the middle and the game speed was electric.
The international players lifted their game by a few notches from the Kandy leg of the tournament which was held last week and it was good to see the locals matching that intensity. However it was mostly the foreign players who did the try scoring with a few of the local players been equally exceptional.
Tamazi Kama the all black sevens player had a good day with the rest of the stars Zah Lawrence, Matt turner and Dan Norton for the Central Kings along with Nigel Ratwatte, D J Forbes the All Black seven-a-side skipper was outstanding for Uva Vipers as he showed his strength on the field. Dulip Methruwan was once again outstanding for the Jaffna Challengers along with the Fijians reminding fans of their seven-a-side dominance as they stamped their authority.
Nati Osea Kolinsau,Setefano Cakaunivalu, Nasoni Roko, Taniela did not fail to show case their ability on the Rugby field. The highest bid player Sudarshana Muthuthanthri lived up to expectations as he was excellent in both attack and defense along with his club team mate Anuradha Viliwara. Bilal Hassen and Radhika Hettiarachi were strong for the North Western blacks as both made some strong runs. Srinath Sorriyabandara stepped up to the challenge for the southern Sharks whilst the Sabaragamuwa Stallions skipper Saliya Hadapangoda played his heart out as he continued to perform well from the Kandy tournament.
The tournament is evenly poised and the North Western Blacks will have to play at their best to win the Colombo tournament as the battle for the throne continues today.
Results of Saturday’s games:
| North Western Blacks |
33 |
North Central Typhoons |
7 |
| Sabaragamuwa Stallions |
21 |
Central Kings |
28 |
| Southern Sharks |
14 |
Jaffna Challengers |
19 |
| Uva Vipers |
19 |
Western Warriors |
24 |
| North Central Typhoons |
0 |
Eastern Eagles |
40 |
| North Western Blacks |
19 |
Central Kings |
12 |
| Jaffna Challengers |
21 |
Nothern Galdiators |
19 |
| Southern Sharks |
21 |
Western Warriors |
33 |
| Sabaraganuwa Stallions |
21 |
Eastern Eagles |
12 |
| Central Kings |
36 |
North Central Typhoons |
19 |
| Uva Vipers |
35 |
Nothern Galdiators |
12 |
| Western Warriors |
7 |
Jaffna Challengers |
36 |
| North Western Blacks |
29 |
Sabaraganuwa Stallions |
12 |
| Central Kings |
7 |
Eastern Eagles |
33 |
| Southern Sharks |
24 |
Uva Vipers |
19 |
| Western Warriors |
29 |
Nothern Galdiators |
5 |
