Playing in the A division, the mighty DOUBLE BLUES, Wesley College rugby team briefed their spell for the 2013 rugby season as they met with ThePapare team.
For the people who think, “If you’re not going to go all the way, why go at all?” this rugby season is about to get better. Struggling their way into the A division beating S. Thomas’ last year, the Wesley college Rugby team believes it’s all about making it to the top. They certainly feel privileged to enter the tournament battling with the best rugby teams in the island after a lapse. Wesley college made history by winning the 7s Rugby tournament held a few week ago for the 1st time.
This year Wesley College will be skippered by a 4th year coloursman, scrum half Rahul DeSilva (who was the Vice Captained last year) and Vice Captained by another 4th year coloursman, number eight Gavin Siegertz. Gavin is also hailed as one of the best forwards in the schools circuit. The team led by captainship of Rahul is optimistic about the challenges they’ll be facing in the league. ”We have a very strong back line” were the confident words of Rahul. He claims that they have improvised the game with new configurations, technical and strategic innovations, and speed and style by mobilizing the front line in order to keep the ball transient. Playing in his last year Rahul is prepared to invest all his experience to bring an outstanding end game. Along with him there are four coloursmen and six senior players lending support.
Of course, taking on Isipathana at the start will be a tough approach to the event. And there are many other teams in the A division who will try to wreck Wesley’s plan to house the Rugby Championship cup.
“Matches between Isipathana and Wesley, or Trinity against the Double Blues will always be incredibly hard fought because they’ve all got evidence supporting for being the dominant side in rugby historically, but we want to prove we take every match seriously and beat them decisively,” says coach Amal Pathirana, the backbone of the team. He adds “There was a time when players could afford to be confident, with swagger, but that’s not the case anymore. And no one among the A teams wants to give anyone the luxury of entering a match that way again.” On the same note he especially remarks that everybody in the Wesley team seems to be a responsible and can handle any situation. Amal’s strategy for the season includes getting new players to battle along with the experienced; he strongly believes it’s an investment rather than a risk.
Speaking on the recent history of Wesley Rugby, the coordinator Mr. F. Silva proudly stated Wesley College’s domination, influence, and iconic status has been so significant over the years; for example, last year there were over 400 students competing for the Rugby team. Statistically that’s a startling 400 to 15 ratio. True, opposition sides have delivered regular pushbacks and even slap-downs since. But he is very confident about the current team and notes that the expedient out bound trainings they have gone through. Also he adds they are looking forward have an extra training sessions in the field in order build team capacity.
Finally a rather interesting twist; it is the first time in Wesley’s 120 year Cricket and 67 year Rugby history that father and son have captained Cricket and Rugby. Rahul’s father Capt Navin DeSilva captained the college 1st X1 cricket team in 1981 and 1982 and also captained the Sri Lanka School Boys team in 1982 which toured England.
Wesley College Rugby Squad:
Prop Forwards – Lasitha Ranadeera, Dilan Madhushanka, Surinda Madampe, Samad Jaleel
Hooker – Thisara Hashan, Zayan Sabar
Lock Forwards – Shezaad Hamidon, Sanoj Fernando, Kavindu Sankalapa
Flankers – Joel Perera, Sithum Peries, Manoj Aberathne, Hiranya Ayodhaya, Muzar Lye
Number 8 – Gawin Siegertisz(vise Captain), Anuja Ishara
Scrum Half – Ishara Madhushanka, Tharindu Asela, K. D. Madhushanka, Anoj Thawaraja, Rahul Desilva(Captain)
Center – Yohan Seth, Joel Thilakarathne, Pasindu Fernando
Full Backs – Lahiru Prasad
Wings – S. K . Ariayawansha, Ishaaq Jurangpathy, Usman Thaha, Dhanushaka Namal, Nishan Sahith, Muzni Doray, Mohamed Rahsdan, Akhila Lakshitha, Aquil Azmi
Fly Half – Omar Rizan
Full Backs –Zamri Ahmed
Fixtures :
March
16th Wesley Vs Isipathana Royal(A)
22nd Wesley Vs S Anthoney’s CR(H)
April
5th Wesley Vs St Joseph’s CR (H)
27th Wesley Vs Royal CR (H)
May
3rd Wesley Vs Trinity TCK CR (H)
10th Wesley Vs Dharmarajah CR (H)
18th Wesley Vs Science Science Grounds(A)
June
1st Wesley Kingswood Bogambara (A)
7th Wesley Vs St Peter’sSPC St Peter’s Grounds(A)
