Year ban for wayward Police team

The 76^th All India tournament is throwing up more twists and turns than many of the Bollywood blockbusters for which the host city is so famous.

We’ve had a walk-out by Army Ambala over an allowances dispute, a pitched battle involving sadly, a visiting national team from Uzbekistan and the Maharashtra State Police and yesterday, a game decided on the toss of a coin, which in all likelihood would have resulted in the losers Armenians, being relegated to the Callaghan Cup next season.

Fortunately we have also witnessed some excellent rugby showcasing the development of the sport throughout the nation and for which the Indian Rugby Union can be justifiably proud.

The fall-out from the disgraceful and unsavoury scenes of Tuesday’s Uzbekistan vs. Maharashstra State Police game has been major. The judicial committee sitting on behalf of the Indian Rugby Union has quite rightly come down heavily on the offenders, with nine individuals from the Police club receiving bans, including five five-year terms and one lifetime exclusion. The Police have also been banned from all competition for a one year period.

Army Green who went through on the toss of a coin

They say that every cloud has a silver lining and the recipients of the lining in this case are the Armenians. After valiantly battling to an extra-time 5-5 draw with Army Green and in fast fading light the Armenians had to swallow that bitterest of pills, when conceding defeat after losing a coin toss. Due to the ‘Patron’ ruling that would mean that they would join Future Hope and Maidan Hazzards in being relegated to the Callaghan Cup. However with the Maharashtra State Police now banned for a year, Armenians will remain in the All India field for next year’s tournament in their home city of Kolkata.

Armenians in action vs. Army Green

Hopefully today the focus can be on the quality of the rugby as the top four teams attempt to book their places in Saturday’s cup final. Bombay Gymkhana will look to their home fans to act as a sixteenth man when they take on firm favourites Army Red. Uzbekistan, who showed great restraint under severe provocation on Tuesday could prove to be the surprise package and we think there will be little to choose between them and Chennai Cheetahs.

For a blow by blow account of the Uzbekistan vs. Maharashtra State Police game see http://www.dnaindia.com/sport/report_all-hell-breaks-loose_1293884

Images courtesy: ZZEBRA Public Relations Private Limited

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