It was a repeat match that not many may have wanted to witness, but it turned out to be just the kind of finale and one that gave out many lessons to the pundits and perhaps also saved face for behind-the-scene stakeholders who were guilty of failure to ensure a trouble free inter-school rugby season for 2024.
There were no bouquets, hosannas or red carpets for the players and it was an occasion for schoolboys from both St. Peter’s College and Isipathana College to do what was not witnessed in many years as they showcased nothing short of high stakes action and more importantly after match fellowship without any pompous fanfare.
And there was no doubt about Isipathana being the undisputed winners of the President’s Trophy Knock-Out final in the same way nothing could have taken anything away from the losing Peterites who were worthy League champs, fitting finalists and the team to beat.
It ever a schoolboy deserved a trophy named in his honour, Zumri stands out for his maturity and gamesmanship par excellent for a teenager, the stuff that ambassadors are made of.
His conduct or the background he comes from was showcased in no uncertainty when he scored what was eventually Isipathana’s winning try in the closing minutes of the game and then averted a possible bad-blood situation when he directed his team-mates to get back to their positions at a most heart-breaking turn of events for the Peterites.
Overall the message that Isipathana and St. Peter’s gave out was that schoolboy rugby players in the country deserve much more attention from the keepers of the sport found basking in the Sri Lanka Schools Rugby Football Association and who were dressed in their Sunday best watching the action from armchair comforts in the grand stand.
Every player they saw out in the middle epitomized a finished product made through pain and sacrifice and without whose presence they will not be counting the Spoils.
By – Sunday Observer