Up Country Lions

Up Country Lions were a Division 'A' rugby union team based in Sri Lanka, competing in the Dialog Rugby League.

Up Country Lions
UnionSri Lanka Rugby Football Union
Founded2012
LocationSri Lanka
RegionKandy District
Ground(s)Jayathilake Stadium, Nawalapitiya (Capacity: 5,000)
ChairmanSiva Subramaniam
Coach(es)Imthisan Marikkar
Captain(s)Srinath Sorriyabandara
League(s)Dialog Rugby League
Clifford Cup
Dialog Club Rugby Sevens
2013/14 Dialog Rugby League season4

The Up Country Lions Sports Club was launched on 3 January 2012 at Galle Face Hotel, Colombo.[1] The 40 players announced on the playing list, included a number of national, youth and international capped players. Other announcements were that the coach of the team would be former Air Force SC and National 7s coach, Imthisan Marikkar, the club chairman, Siva Subramanium, and the team manager, former Isipatana Rugby Chairman, Hassan Sinhawansa. The principal team sponsor was Crysbro, a leading poultry company based in Nawalapitiya.

The team's debut match in the Dialog Rugby League was on 10 June 2012 against Kandy SC, losing 26 points to 11, at Nittawela rugby stadium.[2] In their next game the Up Country Lions registered their maiden victory overcoming CH & FC by a convincing margin 42-10.[3] They finished the season in fourth place and reached the semi-finals of the Clifford Cup, losing a close match 33 points to 32 against Havelock Sports Club.

In 2013 they won the Dialog Club Rugby Sevens,[4] defeating Havelock Sports Club by a margin of 14 points to 12 in the final, having maintained an unbeaten record throughout the tournament.[5][6]

The following season they again finished in fourth place and reached the semi-finals of the Clifford Cup, losing to eventual cup holders, Navy SC 35 points to 25.[7]

In May 2014 the club decided to withdraw from the competition and close the club permanently.[8][9]

References
  1. Obeysekera, Srian (16 September 2012). "Upcountry Lions enjoy magnificent season". The Nation. Retrieved 12 December 2014.
  2. Shabith, Mohamed (11 June 2012). "Kandy Snuff out Up Country Lions". Ceylon Today. Retrieved 13 December 2014.
  3. Dhambarage, Chris (29 July 2012). "Up Country Lions tremednous impact on debut". The Nation. Retrieved 15 December 2014.
  4. Madushanka, Manoj (13 May 2013). "Crysbro felicitate Up Country Lions". The Papare. Retrieved 12 December 2014.
  5. Steelman, Roshen (5 May 2013). "Up Country Lions win Inter-Club Rugby Sevens". The Island. Retrieved 15 December 2014.
  6. Wijewickrama, Navod (6 May 2014). "Up Country Lions win the Inter Club 7s in a Thriller". The Papare. Retrieved 15 December 2014.
  7. "Navy tame Lions to reach Clifford Cup final". Daily Mirror. 5 March 2014. Retrieved 15 December 2014.
  8. "End of the Road for Up Country Lions". The Papare. 12 May 2014. Retrieved 12 December 2014.
  9. Gammanpila, Asanka (21 May 2014). "Upcountry Lions shut down definitely". Ceylon Today. Retrieved 13 December 2014.
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