Sri Lanka Rugby Championship
Dialog Rugby League | |
---|---|
Current season or competition: 2015-16 Dialog Rugby League season | |
Sport | Rugby union |
Formerly known as |
John Player 'Gold Leaf' Rugby Championship Carlsberg Rugby League Caltex League |
Inaugural season | 1950 |
Number of teams | 8 |
Country | Sri Lanka (SLRFU) |
Holders | Kandy SC (2016) |
Most titles | Kandy Sports Club (17 titles) |
Broadcast partner | Dialog TV |
Related competition |
Clifford Cup Presidents Trophy |
The Sri Lanka Rugby Championship, known as the Dialog Rugby League due to its sponsorship by Dialog Axiata, is the major national rugby union club competition, held between the top Division 'A' rugby sides, in Sri Lanka. The annual home and away competition, featuring eight Division 'A' teams, has been held since 1950. The competition has been held between November and February for the last three seasons. The first round of the tournament runs for seven weekends with the final match of the first round in early January, no games are played over the Christmas holiday period. The second round also runs for seven weekends, with the final match in the beginning of March.
History
Early years of the league: 1950 to 1960
The first league competition commenced in 1950.[1] when the Clifford Cup was converted to an inter-club competition played amongst eight clubs, Kandy Sports Club, Dimbula Athletic & Cricket Club, Dickoya Maskeliya Cricket Club, Uva Gymkhana Club, Kelani Valley Club, Havelock Sports Club, Ceylonese Rugby & Football Club and Colombo Hockey and Football Club.[2][3][4] The inaugural winner of the competition was the Havelock Sports Club, led by Ian Labrooy, completing an undefeated season by defeating Dimbula A & CC, 13-0.[4][2] Havelock SC retained the league title the following year again maintaining an unbeaten record during the season. In 1952 Ceylonese R&FC, captained by Mahes Rodrigo (who went onto become a dual international in rugby and cricket) won the league title. The following year Dimbula A&CC, captained by Lyn Simpson, became the first club from Up-Country to win the league by defeating the previous years title holders, Ceylonese R&FC, 6-0.[2][5]
The Kandy Sporting Club made their first appearance in a Clifford Cup final in 1954, where they lost 21-5 against Ceylonese R&FC. Ceylonese R&FC went onto win the title in the next two successive years (1955-56) The title was shared for the first time in 1959 when Dimbula and Ceylonese R & FC competed in an 11-all draw.[4] In 1957 the Colombo H&FC, led by St. John Davies, won the league for the first time against a combined Dimbula/Dickoya team, skippered by Malcolm Wright. In 1958 Ceylonese R&FC, captained by Ashy Cader, won the title, beating Dickoya MCC.
In 1959 Ceylonese R&FC, captained by Ago Paiva, shared the league title with Dimbula A&CC, led by Ken McPherson. The following year Colombo H&FC, skippered by Jeremy Lloyd, were triumphant defeating Dimbulla A&CC.
League and knockout: 1961 to 1984
In 1961 five 'affiliated' rugby clubs, Police SC, Army, University, Air Force and Navy from Division 'B' were invited to join the tournament and play against the 'constituent clubs', forming a thirteen team competition. The format of the competition was also changed, whereby all 13 clubs had to play each other once on a home and away basis in alternate years and at the end of the league season the best eight teams competed in a knock-out tournament for the Clifford Cup.
In 1971, led by captain and coach Y. C. Chang, Colombo H&FC secured the league title.[6] The 1972 final was played between Police SC, captained by Anton Benedict, and Colombo H&FC, led by Y. C. Chang, with the eventual league title holders Police SC winning 9–6.[7]
In 1973 Army SC, captained by S. P. de Silva, for the first time since they entered the competition eleven years earlier reached the final and their oponents were Police SC, skippered by Nizam Hajireen. It was a close match in the final and ended in a 19-all draw with both teams declared as joint champions.[8]
In 1974, the Havelock SC, under Desmond Harridge, secured the title defeating Ceylonese R&FC 16–4.[9] The following year Army SC and Air Force SC justified their being elevated to the Division 'A' league by competing in the final, with Army SC, under the leadership of Saliya Udugama Chandra, emerging triumphant defeating Air Force SC 4–3.[10]
In 1976, led by Thajone Savanghan, Havelock SC bagged the rugby double, winning the League and Clifford Cup.[9] The next year Havelock SC, captained by Jeff de Jong, retained the league title.[9] In 1978, the centenary year of rugby in Sri Lanka, Havelock SC, led by Anton Benedict, achieved the first ever rugby triple, securing the league title, the sevens and the knockout tournament.[9]
In 1979 Police SC won its first Division 'A' league title, led by Charles Wijewardene, retaining the title the following year, under the captaincy of Nimal Lewke. Havelock SC, led by Angelo Wickremeratne, won the title in 1981, securing the rugby triple by securing the inter club sevens and club knock out competition.[11]
In 1982 Colombo H&FC, led by N. H. Karunasena, successfully secured the league title for the first time in twenty years.[12] As a result of the outbreak of civil war in 1983, Police SC withdrew from the league competition, that year the title was again won by Colombo H&FC.
In 1984 Police SC, captained by Upali Vidanage, clinched the 'A' Division League title, going on to win for a further five successive years until 1989.[13]
League championships: 1985 to 1999
In 1985 the rugby league competition was renamed the John Player "Gold Leaf" Rugby Championships, following a sponsorship deal with British Tobacco Company, John Player, and the Sri Lanka Rugby Football Union. The SRFU decided to award the Clifford Cup to the winners of a separate knock-out tournament, conducted amongst the 'A' Division Clubs, held at the end of the regular season.[4] The inaugural winner of the John Player Rugby Championship was Police SC captained by Sunil Sahabandu, who also clinched the rugby triple by also winning the Rugby Sevens title and the Clifford Cup. Police SC subsequently retained the John Player League title for the following four years,[14] under the leadership of Sunil Sahabandu (1985), H. Premasiri (1986), Muruga Jayaratne (1987), Ajantha Samarakoon (1988) and M. H. Marso (1989).[15]
In 1990 Police SC withdrew from competition when the second civil war broke out, with Colombo Hockey & Football Club, led by Imran Salley, clinching the rugby triple by winning the John Player League, Clifford Cup and Premadasa Trophy that year.[16] In 1991 Police SC returned to the league, under the captaincy of Hemantha Yatawara, and secured the rugby double by winning the John Player League and Clifford Cup.[14] In 1992 CH and FC, led by Asitha Boteju, were successful clinching the rugby triple by winning the League Championship, Rugby Sevens and Premadasa Trophy. In 1993 CH and FC, this time captained by Hisham Abdeen, repeated their previous years domination by again securing the rugby triple.[16] In 1994 Kandy SC, under the leadership of Indrajith Bandranayake, secured their first league championship and in 1995 the club won the rugby triple, the John Player Gold Leaf Trophy, Clifford Cup and President's Trophy.[17][18]
In 1996 the competition was renamed the Carlsberg Rugby League, with the inaugural winner being the Ceylonese R & FC,[19] who led by Viraj Prasantha were unbeaten all season.[20] The following year the league championship was won by Kandy SC, following an undefeated season.[21] Ceylonese R&FC, captained by Champika Nishantha, were successful in 1998, defeating defending champions Kandy SC 21-13 in the deciding game.[20] In 1999 Kandy SC were victorious winning the triple crown,[18] with the runners-up to the league title being Colombo H&FC.[22]
Caltex League: 2000 to 2011
Between 2000 and 2011 the competition was sponsored by Caltex and was called the Caltex Rugby League.[23] The inaugural Caltex Rugby League champions were Colombo H&FC, captained by Nazim Mohammed, winning 12 out of 14 matches, including a 33-11 victory over the previous league champions Kandy SC, only losing one game and drawing one.[16][24] This was the last time Colombo H&FC were successful in winning the premiership.[25] The runners-up that year were Ceylonese R&FC.[24]
In 2001 Old Zahirians SC were promoted to the Caltex League, after finishing third in the 'B' division in 2000, the same year as the club won the Lahore International Ten-A-side Rugby Tournament.[26] Kandy SC regained the league title,[18]under the leadership of Nalaka Weerakkody. The club dominated the league for the next ten years securing titles under Pradeep Basnayake (2002), Sajith Mallikarachchi (2003), Radhika Hettiarachchi (2004), Sanjeewa Jayasinghe (2005), Sajith Mallikarachchi (2006), Jeewa Galgamuwa (2007), Sean Wijesinghe (2008), Pradeep Liyanage (2009), Fazil Marija (2010) and Saliya Kumara (2011).[27]
In 2005 the Navy SC withdrew midway through the competition, due to their members military commitments. The Caltex league competition in 2006 was subsequently expanded to a twelve team competion with the introduction of Dimbula/Dickoya from the Central Province, Jawatte Lions from the Western Province and the Galle RFC from the Southern Province. The tournament was split into two grades, with six teams, Kandy SC, Havelock SC, Army SC, CH & FC, CR & FC battling out at the top with the remaining six other teams, Old Zahirians, Police, Air Force in the next tier.
In 2007 a further three teams were added to the Caltex 'A' Division League Rugby Championship: Peterson SC, Kandy Youth, Kurunegala and Combined Universities increasing the number of sides from 12 teams to 16.[28] The eight sides in A1 were Kandy SC, Ceylonese R&FC, Colombo H&FC, Havelock SC, Army, Air Force, Police and Old Zahirians, whilst in A2 the sides included Galle RFC, Dimbula/Dickoya, Jawatte Lions, Peterson SC, Kandy Youth, Kurunegala and Combined Universities.[29] The first-round in 2007 was played from 18 May to 1 July and the second-round from 6 July to 5 August.[28] The top six teams in the A1 first-round competed in the second-round for the Cup, while the last two sides in A1 competed in the Plate with the top six of A2. The remaining four teams in A2 played for the Bowl and were joined by two sides from the 'B' Division (Rudra Rajasingham Memorial Trophy).[30] The Plate final was contested between Air Force SC and Old Zahirians, with Air Force being successful.
In 2008 the competition was scaled back to eight teams, being Kandy SC, Havelocks SC, CH & FC, CR & FC, Police SC, Army SC, Air Force and Old Zahirians.[31][32] The league champions once again were Kandy SC, with Air Force SC securing the Plate.[33]
Navy SC rejoined the competition in 2009 with the tournament committee deciding to have an eighth place play-off between the Navy SC and the bottom-seeded Old Zahirians SC. The Old Zahirians Sporting Club refused to participate in the play-off game on 7 May and were forced to leave the competition.[34] The Plate champions for 2009 were Police SC.[35]
Kandy Sports Club were successful in 2010, clinching the rugby double, by winning both the Caltex League championship and the Clifford Cup,[36] with Ceylonese R&FC coming second [37] and Police SC securing the Plate championship over Havelock SC.[38]
In 2011 the Caltex League commenced in the 1st week of June, a week after Sri Lanka’s Asian Five Nation's match against Japan, with the season ending before September, in order for the national sevens team to compete in the Shanghai Sevens on 4-7 September. During the season the previously undefeated Kandy SC were beaten 29-25 by Navy SC and the title ended up coming down to the last game of the season, where Kandy SC defeated Havelock SC and relegated Navy SC to second place.[39] The 2011 'Plate' champion was Air Force SC.[40]
Dialog League: 2012 onward
In 2012 the competition was renamed the Dialog League after Dialog Axiata, a national telecommunications company, entered into a five year sponsorship deal with the SLRFU.[41] In the same year the competition was expanded to nine teams with the inclusion of a team from Nawalapitiya, the Up Country Lions.[42] The competition began in June and at the end of the first round, the top four teams were Havelock SC, Navy SC, Kandy SC and new comers Up-Country Lions SC, who then competed for the league title. The rest of the teams competed in the plate tournament.[43] Havelock Sports Club were the eventual 2012 champions, breaking Kandy's dominance of the league,[44] by defeating them 50–9.[45] It was Havelocks' first league title in thirty-one years. Army SC were successful in the Plate final defeating Police SC 21–19.[46]
The following year a team from Hambantota, the Hambantota Sharks, was added to form a ten team competition.[47][48] The timing of the season was amended with it now running from November 2013 and concluding in January 2014, as such there was no winner for 2013. The winner of the 2013/14 Dialog rugby league was Navy SC, who defeated Havelock SC in the final game of the season, 20–13, capping off an undefeated season.[49] It was the first time in the club's history that they have won the league trophy.[50] The winner of the Plate for the 2013/14 season was Police SC.[51]
In 2014/15 the Up Country Lions withdrew from the league after only competing for two years, with the majority of their players signing with Ceylonese R&FC.[52] The 2014/15 season’s format was also changed, previously in the second round the top six played in the cup category and bottom four teams played in the plate.[53] Instead for the 2014/15 season all the nine teams played both home and away matches in round one and two with the top points scoring team clinching the league title.[53] In January 2015 both the Hambantota Sharks and the Colombo H&FC withdrew from the league competition before the second round commenced,[54] although Colombo H&FC subsequently rejoined,[55][56] resulting in the second round being contested between the eight remaining teams. The 2014/15 champion was Kandy SC, who despite losing their last match against second placed Navy SC, 12–11, and ending with equal points on the league ladder, scored an overall 73 tries to Navy's 62.[57]
In 2015/16 the league commenced in November 2015 and was contested by eight teams.[58][59] At the end of the season, in February 2016, Kandy SC were undefeated and clear winners by two games from second placed Havelock SC, securing the league title for the 17th time.[60]
Results
Year | John Player League | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
League Winner | Runner up | |||
1985 | Police Sports Club | |||
1986 | Police Sports Club | |||
1987 | Police Sports Club | |||
1988 | Police Sports Club | |||
1989 | Police Sports Club | |||
1990 | Colombo H&FC | |||
1991 | Police Sports Club | |||
1992 | Colombo H&FC | |||
1993 | Colombo H&FC | |||
1994 | Kandy Sports Club | |||
1995 | Kandy Sports Club |
Year | Carlsberg League | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
League Winner | Runner up | |||
1996 | Ceylonese R&FC | Kandy Sports Club | ||
1997 | Kandy Sports Club | |||
1998 | Ceylonese R&FC | Kandy Sports Club | ||
1999 | Kandy Sports Club | Colombo H&FC |
Year | Caltex League | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
League Winner | Plate Winner | |||
2000 | Colombo H&FC | |||
2001 | Kandy Sports Club | |||
2002 | Ceylonese R&FC | Navy Sports Club | ||
2003 | Kandy Sports Club | |||
2004 | Kandy Sports Club | Air Force Sports Club | ||
2005 | Kandy Sports Club | |||
2006 | Kandy Sports Club | |||
2007 | Kandy Sports Club | Air Force Sports Club | ||
2008 | Kandy Sports Club | Air Force Sports Club | ||
2009 | Kandy Sports Club | Police Sports Club | ||
2010 | Kandy Sports Club | Police Sports Club | ||
2011 | Kandy Sports Club | Air Force Sports Club |
Year | Dialog Rugby League Championships | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
League Winner | Plate Winner | Leading try scorer | Leading points scorer | |||||
2012 | Havelock Sports Club | Army Sports Club | Sitiveni Kunaga / Saliya Handapangoda (Army SC) 11 | |||||
2013/14 | Navy Sports Club | Police Sports Club | Sandun Herath (Havelock SC) 20 | Nuwan Hettiarachchi (Navy SC) 178 | ||||
2014/15 | Kandy Sports Club | Apisai Naqaliva (Police SC) 12 | Dulaj Perera (Havelock SC) 103 | |||||
2015/16 | Kandy Sports Club | Parasath Madusanka (Havelock SC) 12 | Thilina Weerasingha (Navy SC) 146 | |||||
Clubs
Current Division 'A' clubs
Division 'A' clubs | ||||||||
Colours | Club | Established | City | Stadium | Capacity* | Titles (Last)** | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Air Force Sports Club | - | Ratmalana | Air Force Ground Ratmalana | - | - | ||
|
Army Sports Club | 1963 | Diyagama | Diyagama Mahinda Rajapaksa Stadium | - | 2 (1975) | ||
|
Ceylonese Rugby & Football Club | 1922 | Colombo | Longdon Place | 5,550 | 13 (2002) | ||
|
Colombo Hockey and Football Club | 1892 | Colombo | Colombo Racecourse | 40,000 | 10 (2000) | ||
|
Havelock Sports Club | 1915 | Havelock Town | Havelock Park | - | 14 (2012) | ||
|
Kandy Sports Club | 1888 | Kandy | Nittawela Rugby Stadium | 25,000 | 17 (2016) | ||
|
Navy Sports Club | - | Welisara | Welisara Navy ground | - | 1 (2014) | ||
|
Police Sports Club | 1926 | Bambalapitiya | Police Park | - | 9 (1991) |
- Gold - current Dialog League Champions
- Bold - Original Constituent Club
Former Division 'A' Clubs
Former Division 'A' clubs | |||||||
Colours | Club | Established | City | Stadium | Capacity | Number of Seasons | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Dickoya Maskeliya Cricket Club | 1868 | Dickoya | Darrawella Club Grounds | - | ||
|
Dimbula Athletic & Cricket Club | 1856 | Radella | Radella Cricket Grounds | 67 | ||
|
Galle RFC | Galle | Koggala Trade Zone Ground | 2,000 | 2 | ||
|
Kelani Valley Club | 1885 | Avissawella | Kelani Valley Club Grounds | - | ||
|
Hambantota Sharks | 2013 | Hambantota | Beliatta National Stadium | 2 | ||
|
Jawatte Lions | 1990 | Narahenpita | Shalika Grounds | 2 | ||
|
Old Zahirians | 1968 | Maradana | 7 | |||
|
Peterson's Sports Club | 1980 | |||||
|
Up Country Lions | 2012 | Nawalapitiya | Jayathilake Stadium | 5,000 | 2 | |
|
Uva Gymkhana Club | 1880 | Badulla |
Total wins
Club | Wins | Seasons |
---|---|---|
Kandy Sports Club | 17 | 1994, 1995, 1997, 1999, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2015, 2016 |
Havelock Sports Club | 14 | 1950, 1951, 1961, 1963, 1964, 1967, 1968, 1970‡, 1974, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1981, 2012 |
Ceylonese Rugby & Football Club | 13 | 1952, 1954, 1955, 1956, 1958, 1959‡, 1965, 1966, 1969, 1996, 1998 |
Police Sports Club | 12 | 1970‡, 1972, 1973‡, 1979, 1980, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1991 |
Colombo Hockey and Football Club | 10 | 1957, 1960, 1962, 1971, 1982, 1983, 1988, 1990, 1992, 1993, 2000 |
Army Sports Club | 2 | 1973‡, 1975 |
Dimbula Athletic & Cricket Club | 2 | 1953, 1959‡ |
Navy Sports Club | 1 | 2014 |
- ‡ Shared
References
- ↑ Collins, Tony (2015). The Oval World:A Global History of Rugby. Bloomsbury Publishing. ISBN 9781408843727.
- 1 2 3 Marikar, Hafiz (20 August 2011). "Clifford Cup trophy now 100 years". Daily News. Retrieved 4 November 2014.
- ↑ de Joodt, Ken (14 August 2013). "Re-capping the Glory Days of Rugby". Ceylon Today. Retrieved 4 November 2014.
- 1 2 3 4 Wijerante, Neil (9 March 2014). "Clifford Cup - The Blue Riband of Sri Lanka Rugby" (PDF). Sunday Leader. p. 20. Retrieved 4 November 2014.
- ↑ Marikar, Hafiz (29 July 2010). "When will they lose their Prestige". Daily News. Retrieved 4 November 2014.
- ↑ Marikar, Hafiz (14 November 2010). "Y.C. Chang - the Blue Blood of Rugby Football in Sri Lanka". Sunday Observer. Retrieved 25 March 2016.
- ↑ Akbar, Rangi (27 September 2009). "Nizam Hajireen was the rising star in fading sunlight". Sunday Times. Retrieved 25 March 2016.
- ↑ Marikar, Hafiz (23 February 2013). "Japana Jayawardena was a fine ruggerite at Trinity, Army and for Lanka". Sunday Observer. Retrieved 25 March 2016.
- 1 2 3 4 Marikar, Hafiz (4 December 2011). "Rugby resurgence at Havelock Sports Club". Sunday Observer. Retrieved 25 March 2016.
- ↑ Sivendran, S. (20 February 2000). "DSS takes to Rugby : My Police Memories". Sunday Times. Retrieved 25 March 2016.
- ↑ Samaranayake, A. (10 September 2012). "31 year wait in style". Daily News. Retrieved 25 March 2016.
- ↑ Chang, Y. C. (12 October 2002). "The Ceylon Rugby football union - 1926". Daily News. Retrieved 25 March 2016.
- ↑ "Police will rely on its forwards". Daily News. 1 May 2004. Retrieved 25 March 2016.
- 1 2 "Police will rely on its forwards". Daily News. 17 May 2005. Retrieved 25 February 2016.
- ↑ Wijesekera, Bernie. "Cops are fighting a relentless battle to stay alive". Sunday Times. Retrieved 19 March 2016.
- 1 2 3 "CH and FC - an abundance of talent". Daily News. 29 May 2003. Retrieved 19 March 2016.
- ↑ Abdeen, S. M. Jiffrey (2 June 2003). "Kandy SC on course to defend league title". Daily News. Retrieved 19 March 2016.
- 1 2 3 Abdeen, S. M. Jiffrey (17 May 2005). "Kandy SC on course to defend league title". Daily News. Retrieved 25 February 2016.
- ↑ Sivendran, S. (18 August 1996). "CRruising through to Carlsberg after twenty-two solid years". The Sunday Times. Retrieved 25 February 2016.
- 1 2 Wijesekera, Bernie (2 August 1998). "CR dish out red hot rugby to win league". Sunday Times. Retrieved 19 March 2016.
- ↑ Marikar, Hafiz (25 February 2016). "Kandy SC secures rugby League for 17th time in 22 years". Daily News. Retrieved 2 March 2016.
- ↑ Akbar, Rangi (21 February 2010). "CH determined to hit the top in rugby again". The Sunday Times. Retrieved 15 March 2016.
- ↑ "A Decade of Rugby Sponsorship by Caltex". Chevron Lubricants Lanka PLC. 2013. Retrieved 25 February 2016.
- 1 2 Kuruppu, Aubrey (27 August 2000). "Can Kandy Sports Club regroup?". The Sunday Times. Retrieved 15 March 2016.
- ↑ Kulatunga, Narendra (21 February 2016). "CH and FC: From glory days to sorrowful state of rugby". The Sunday Times. Retrieved 15 March 2016.
- ↑ "Old Zahirians field a young side this year". Daily News. 3 June 2003. Retrieved 25 February 2016.
- ↑ Jaleel, Shamseer (21 August 2011). "Lads from Kandy still rule". Sunday Times. Retrieved 19 March 2016.
- 1 2 Gunesekera, Lal (18 February 2007). "Petersons, Kandy Youth and Kurunegala re-enter... Enlarged 'A' div Rugby C'ship". Sunday Observer. Retrieved 21 March 2016.
- ↑ Jayachandra, Harry (8 April 2007). "Keith Roberts trains the rugby trainers". Sunday Times. Retrieved 21 March 2016.
- ↑ Gunesekera, Lal (22 April 2007). "CH kicks off 'A' div. rugby with Air Force on May 18". Sunday Observer. Retrieved 21 March 2016.
- ↑ Jayachandra, Harry (21 January 2007). "Rugby back to the old format". Sunday Times. Retrieved 21 March 2016.
- ↑ Amit, M. Naushad (18 May 2008). "SLRFU gives Old Zahirians ultimatum". The Nation. Retrieved 21 March 2016.
- ↑ Seneviratne, Ranjeeva (18 April 2009). "Navy and Air Force out to impress in 'A' Division league". Daily News. Retrieved 21 March 2016.
- ↑ Amit, M. Naushad (8 May 2009). "Old Zahirians SC-Rugby Union to scrum down in Court?". The Nation. Retrieved 21 March 2016.
- ↑ "Clifford Cup rugby from August 21". Daily News. 11 August 2009. Retrieved 21 March 2016.
- ↑ "Kandy SC wins the Caltex Clifford Cup". Chevron Lubricants Lanka PLC. 2010. Retrieved 21 March 2016.
- ↑ Nagahawatte, Ravi (25 December 2010). "2010 was a great endurance test for Sri Lanka players - Rugby Review 2010". The Island. Retrieved 21 March 2016.
- ↑ "Police Emerge Plate Champions". Daily Mirror. 2 July 2010. Retrieved 21 March 2016.
- ↑ Marikar, Hafiz (10 August 2011). "Final countdown on Caltex Rugby League 2011". Daily News. Retrieved 21 March 2016.
- ↑ "SLAF Flies with Caltex Rugby League 2011 Plate Championship". Sri Lanka Air Force Information Technology Unit. 12 August 2011. Retrieved 21 March 2016.
- ↑ "Havies enter a new era of rugby with Dialog". Sunday Observer. 16 September 2012. Retrieved 25 February 2016.
- ↑ Shabith, Mohamed (11 June 2012). "Kandy Snuff out Up Country Lions". Ceylon Today. Retrieved 13 December 2014.
- ↑ Marikar, Hafiz (11 August 2012). "Dialog Rugby League second round kicks off". Daily News. Retrieved 3 March 2016.
- ↑ "Havies enter a new era of rugby with Dialog". Sunday Observer. 16 September 2012. Retrieved 3 March 2016.
- ↑ "Rugby-Havelocks Win ‘A’ division league rugby title after 31 years". Sri Lanka Sports. 21 August 2012. Retrieved 3 March 2016.
- ↑ Seneviratne, Ranjeeva (27 September 2012). "Army's Rugby on the Rise". Daily News. Retrieved 3 March 2016.
- ↑ Gammanpila, Asanka (17 May 2013). "Now, Sharks take to Rugby". Ceylon Today. Retrieved 31 October 2014.
- ↑ Ranathunge, Siyath (1 August 2013). "Sharks from Hambantota to drive National Rugby up a Notch". ThePapare.com. Retrieved 31 October 2014.
- ↑ "Champion Navy SC end the Dialog Rugby League in style". The Papare. 23 February 2014. Retrieved 3 March 2016.
- ↑ Kodithuwakku, Sandun (23 February 2014). "Navy remain unbeaten with 20-13 win over Havelocks". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 3 March 2016.
- ↑ "Dialog Rugby 2013". The Papare. 25 November 2013. Retrieved 3 March 2016.
- ↑ "Preview: Self-belief drives CR & FC this season". Daily Mirror. 2 November 2014. Retrieved 3 March 2016.
- 1 2 "Twists & Turns Ahead of the Dialog Rugby League 2014/15". The Papare. 27 October 2014. Retrieved 3 March 2016.
- ↑ Jaleel, Shamseer (18 January 2015). "CH&FC, Hambantota Sharks to pull out of league competition!". Daily FT. Retrieved 19 February 2015.
- ↑ Jaleel, Shamseer (19 January 2015). "CH&FC gets second chance". Daily FT. Retrieved 19 February 2015.
- ↑ "CH and ruck again as SLRFU heed to tale of woes". Sunday Times. 18 January 2015. Retrieved 19 February 2015.
- ↑ Jaleel, Shamseer (16 March 2015). "Kandy Champs despite Sailor Spoiler". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 3 March 2016.
- ↑ "Rugby: Dialog Division ‘A’ League kicks off today". Sunday Times. 20 November 2015. Retrieved 4 March 2016.
- ↑ Cader, Saabir (17 November 2015). "Dialog Rugby League 2015/2016". Retrieved 4 March 2016.
- ↑ Jaleel, Shamzeer (29 February 2016). "Kandy Crowned League Champions for 17th Time". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 4 March 2016.
External links
- Perera, S. S. (1979). History of a Hundred Years of Rugby Football in Sri Lanka 1879-1979. Colombo: Sri Lanka Rugby Football Union.
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