When will rugby come back in the up-country? rugby was first introduced to our country in 1879 with the corporate sector initiating rugby promotions in Colombo and taking it to the Up Country by the coffee planting sector confined to the British Raj. The seeds of rugby were planted in the Up-country with Scottish and Englishmen stationed in the plantations. During this time the game of rugby flourished mainly due to the plantations companies’ enthusiasm and commitment to promote rugby in Sri Lanka.
Possessing such a long history, Sri Lanka rugby's main contribution to the game is certainly the famous Clifford Cup competition, with the finals being played at either Radella Dimbulla A & CC club ground or Darawella Dickoya MCC club ground.
This glittering silver Clifford Cup holds a prominent place in its own right in the history of the game. The Up country clubs were Kandy SC, Dimbula AC, Dickoya MCC and Uva Gymkhana Club at one time Dimbula, Dickoya and Uva were the three famous rugby clubs in the country. According to past records of rugby, those who took the game seriously in the early years were the planting community from Dickoya, Dimbula and Uva. In 1908 when the Ceylon Rugby Football Union was formed these were the clubs from Up-Country in the game,Kandy SC, Dimbula ACC, Dickoya MCC, Uva Gymkhana Club, and Kalutara SC. During that time only two Kandy schools Trinity College and Kingswood College were in the game. And there were also two Ceylonese teams Kandy Rovers and Colombo Ceylonese.
Then first ever club game to be played was between two Up-Country clubs, Dickoya MCC and Dimbula ACC. These two teams played a game on 7th September 1880 which Dickoya won. This match was played at Darawella. The return game was played a week later at Dimbulla grounds at Radella, in which game Dimbula came out winners.
Unfortunately, Sad to say, today, these two clubs are out of the game,the controlling body and the provincial body has not taken any interest to bring back the game. Dimbula A & CC was the first Clifford Cup winners from Up-Country in 1953, when the competition was just four years old at club level. Dimbula A & CC was founded in 1856, and their main sports were Rugger, Cricket, Squash, Cue sport, Tennis, Badminton. They were a major force in rugby until the mid 1970’s when sports declined after plantations were nationalized. Then in 1956,Dim/Dicks (combined Dimbula-Dickoya team) were second to CR & FC in the Clifford Cup Tournament, then again in 1959 Dimbula ACC shared the Cup with CR & FC. Another great moment came in 1970 led by Ken Murray they emerged Clifford Cup league champions, and they were deprived of the rugby double when they lost to Abdul Majeeds Policemen 0-8 in the Clifford Cup knockout Semi-finals.
Dickoya first entered the Clifford Cup Final in 1958. Dickoya MCC was founded in 1874 and they started with Rugger, Cricket, Tennis, Squash,Badminton and Cue sport. They too were another major force in rugby to reckon with. At one time it was the most beautiful rugby grounds in the country - the picturesque Darawella grounds with an excellent club house with all facilities in prime condition. It was the venue visited by the famous English Test cricketer Sir. Jack Hobbs during an England team's tour and named his home Darawella after his return to England.
In the past, Dickoya produced great teams and twice entered the Clifford Cup Finals and went down to CR & FC and Havelock SC in 1958 and 1961 went down to . Havelock SC in he final second of the game, due to a penalty.
Uva was the first club from Up-Country to enter Clifford Cup Final;this club too produced good rugby teams at a certain time. The great rugby players of Uva who played the game at the highest levels being so far away from the main city had great times with entertainment at its best, as such they acquired the name “Merry Men” of Uva. This club played the game of rugby in grand style with recognition from all sectors. This club was the first to enter the Clifford Cup final from the up-country. The club was formed in 1928;they played Rugby, Cricket, Tennis, Hockey, Cue Sport and Badminton. The Uva Gymkhana Club at one time conducted horse racing as well.
Possessing a rich rugby legacy and being among the pioneer rugby playing clubs in the tear drop island, has a story to say. The beginning of such a story could always be on similar lines because the rugby history of Sri Lanka could not be scripted without reference to the other.
The history also depicts the game's early beginnings in Sri Lanka. By this report, it is believed that the Rugby Union would entice the Up-Country clubs along with their principals to link rugby once again to form one of the brightest chapters in Sri Lankan rugby.
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