Will Havelock SC bring back the Clifford Cup which they first won in the inaugural year 1950 and last in 1981 and in 2017 entered the final but failed to win after losing to Kandy SC 20-32.In 1981 when they last won the Clifford Cup the side was led by Angelo Wickremaratne and it marked a memorable year as they were also won the Sevens and President’s trophy. Since then the Park Club won the Sevens in 1986, 1987, 1995, 2000 and 2003 and their next league win was in 2012 after 31 years.
This time the club president Romesh Abeyawickrema, Secretary Tiny Samath and the rest of the knowledgeable rugby committee have taken nothing for granted and worked tirelessly behind the scenes and today’s Clifford Cup final against Air Force at the Race Course ground is prove of a collective journey by both player and official.
According to Samath it was talent, dedication, discipline and team work were the basic ingredients which contributed towards the success of the team this year were the hallmarks of their progress that also made them runners-up in the League. Samath played for the Park Club from 1975 to 1980 and was also the Bambaras captain in 1978 and 1979.
“Success did not come overnight or on a platter, it was through sheer hard work and commitment to a cause,” said Samath. (see also page 27)