If someone underestimates luck, this is a story. The lads from Katugastota having had one of the most devastating season’s last year were on the brink on being relegated to the bottom tier but to theirgood fortune St Anthony’s are permitted to struggle for supremacy in Division ‘A’ and restore their lost form of yesteryear. They are very much prepared to put it behind them and take on the 2013 rugby season full on.
Early History
St. Anthony’s College Katugastota, often referred as the eagles of the Kandyan legitimacy were in the forefront of the premiere schools who took up the sport in the days of yore. The voyage of Antonian Rugby has had its cherished moments through their passage towards the 21st century. The Eagles reached the peak of their success in the 1980’s 1990’s during the reign of legendary figures such as Sanjay Amunugama, Nihal Gunaratna etc.
Recent Flashback
Moving fourth to the 21st century, the Antonian timeline marks specific incidents in the early years in the sport. Yet the Eagle’s run last year was not at all successful with only a solitary drawn game against DS under their name for the year 2012. Most rugby analyst would agree it to be one of St. Anthony’s most unimpressive year Though the odds were staked against them it seems the Eagles were able to survive the disaster and be able give themselves a chance to rise up stronger, greater and higher.
Veteran Theo Sefarim in Coaching Duties
In a complete revamp of Antonianrugby, they have opted for drastic changes engaging coachTheo Sefarima veteran in the Sri Lankan schools rugby arena.This gentleman needs no introduction to the schools rugby field having coached teams who have over and over excelled in the sport. Theo Sefarim’s journey through coaching in the paradise island has been one of distinction. Prior to taking up duties as head coach, he has successfully led Royal College to great heights in the years 2009,2010 and 2011 where he maintained a match winning aggregate of over 90%.
Along with Theo, former Antonian skipper and CR & FC player Priyantha Ekanayaka will team up as assistant coach for the year 2013. Needless to say Antonian rugby is in splendid hands this season.
Yakoob Ali to Lead the Eagles
“At one point when their hopes of survival in the top tier were in only in their wildest dreams and they were readying themselves for a comeback in the upcoming years into the top division, it was by their well wished luck and fortune you find us back in the contest. That fuelled the motivation the Antoniansneeded to rise up to greater stakes. “ relates fourth year senior-man Yakoobas he takes hold of leading a talented Antonian side for battle this season.
Having understood the lost glories in the past year as skipper, Ali strongly believes that it is right time for the reawakening of the lost glory for the Antonians. Having represented the team in four consecutive seasons, Yakoob has been someone who has humbly accepted defeat; one of the few sportsmanship icons we have witnessed. Having been selected to the national squad for the U20 Junior Asiad last year he is now equipped with proper exposure and skill to lead his team to victory this season.
Playing in his favorite position of Hooker, he would be able to lead his team right from the front in the season that would begin this March.
Panduka Angammana; the Antonian Driving Force
One of the most outstanding players which St. Anthonys has produced, PandukaAngammana would power up the Antonian forwards line for his fourth and final year. Captaining the side last year, Angammana’s played a crucial role amidst the hardships he had to counter. Playing as a third row man over the years, he has exposed his talents to the extent where he ended up representing Sri Lanka in the Junior Asiad which concluded last September.
Much relieved to hand over the captaincy title to his fellow mate Yakoob Ali, Panduka will be all out to his best in his final year in the Antonian jersey to make it a memorable one that would be remembered by everyone.
In addition, Indu Prasad and Tharindu Sahabanducomes in to the team as prop forwards together with skipper Yakoob Ali. The Antonians field in a comparatively new outfit in their locks as Mohammed Aramesh and Shermal Weerasekara who we would see on the field yearning for reputation.
Fazlur Rehman to Strengthen the Three-Quarters
Fourth year player FazlurRehman will be the player to look for in the Antonian line as he prepares himself for his final year as the fly half this season. A versatile player, Fazlur has always come to the resort of his past skippers at crucial situations,especially last year when ends did not meet, it was Fazlur who kept the scoreboard ticking with his kicking boots.
If one person could find someone who manages two major sports while performing in both to his maximum capacity, you will not find a better candidate other than the Antonian center Charles Praveen. The hefty and big built lad has been the teams sensation regardless of the sport he plays. Praveen has been playing for the St. Anthony’s 1st XI cricket side and as well as the 1st XV side for a lengthy period of four years and one would wonder how this lad handles the two extremes. That is one daunting task which no ordinary person would even attempt.
With his aggressive contact play and stamina together with strength, Charles will be playing in the side as the team’s 1st center and would definitely pose a threat to in weeks to come. In addition to the stand out players, the Antonian team consists of a balanced input for their three-quarter’s division. Freshmen Chanuka Ranaraja and Chrishan Basil will wear their respective college jerseys as they field in as Wings. Few more additions consist of their Fullback Sajith Hemantha and their Half back Hassan Careem.
Conclusion
St. Anthony’s will enter into the 2013 season with hopes of reviving lost glory and fame from the reprieve they received. With proper guidance and coaching this year, such a feat is not at all impossible to achieve. Their conquest this year would start from one of the heavy weights in the tourney, St Peters College as they would play their first game in the Peterite turf on the 15th of March.
Expectation: Top Four
We wish them all the best!
