SLAF Ekala – Winners of the Inter Unit Rugby Championship 2011
A thrilling encounter between SLAF Ekela and SLAF Regiment Katunayake
terminated the inter unit rugby championship of the Sri Lanka Air Force
which saw 18 teams from the different bases and stations of the SLAF
competing for the title. The long fight ended with the crowning of SLAF
Station Ekala as the Inter Unit Rugby Champions on 21st June 2011 at
sports grounds of SLAF Base Katunayake.
The
opponents, the team from the Regiment of SLAF Base Katunayake was on the
top at the end of the first half by 08 – 07 points which gave
expectations of grander things to come to the home crowd. Sergeant
Lasantha Bandara and Aircraftsman Dinush Ratnaweera contributed with a
try and a penalty respectively for the home team whilst Flight
Lieutenant Dinesh Weeraratna crossed the opponents’ line and
Aircraftsman Thisera converted it to a goal for the visiting team.
The latter half of the game totally
belonged to Ekala though the Regiment team made a valient effort to
regain their lead. Flight Lieutenant Gunawardana and Aircraftsman
Weeraratna made a try and a penalty in the second half for Ekala during
which time the regiment team couldn’t score. At the end of the full
time, Ekala defeated the Regiment team by 15 points to 8 to clinch the
Championship.
The Secretary of Sri Lanka Rugby Union
Mr. Lasitha Gunaratna graced the occasion as the Chief Guest whilst the
Base Commander Katunayake Air Commodore Ranil Gurusinghe and Command
Sports Officer Air Commodore Harsha Fernando were also among the
distinguished guests. Officers and other ranks of both SLAF Katunayake
and SLAF Ekela as well as some die-hard fans from other bases/stations
were also present to witness the
finals.