Dharmaraja College has always been a team full of potential unable to execute over the past, but the new look side they posses this season are more than capable of changing their fortunes.
In the 7’s tournament this season they went on to be the plate champions (5th position) losing only one match in the group stage to St.Thomas (14-12) who eventually went onto win the tournament. There is a lot of belief and hope in the bunch of lads that are set to start the season that they have a chance of slaying some giants.
History as it Resides up to date.
Rajans Rugby history doesn’t head back to that long as the history the other schools relish on, it is in 1970 that Rajans first formed a Rugby team with the help of the principal at that time Mr.
In the recent past there has been a development in the Rajans Rugby, they won the All-Island Singer 10’s tournament in the year 2010 under the captaincy of Miyuru Hewawasam, in 2012 they again won the B division, the All-Island 7’s tournament and semi finalists in the president’s trophy with players like Lahiru Fernando, Keels Jayasinghe, Lochana Ekanayake, Rochana Hettiarachchi, Buwanaka Udangamuwa, Thilina Wijesinghe, Lochana Fernando making huge impacts.
The Golden year of the Rajans happened to be the season of 2013 where Rochana Hettiarachchi led the team to win the All-Island league tournament for the first time in their short history. Thilina wijesinghe being the highest points scorer of the tournament.
Since then there has been a dip in the performances which in this season they will look to adjust and give a tough run to the other teams.
Dharmaraja has always produced players of quality rugby standards, they boasts of players with the likes of Radhika Hettiarachchi (Sri lanka and Kandy Sc captain and current team’s coach), Nuwan Hettiarachchi, Buwanaka ‘buwa’ Udangamuwa, Rochana Hettiarachchi, Thilina Wijesighe and Dharshana Atipola.
Team combination.
This year the Rajans will be captained by Chalindu Wijesinghe, a 5th year colorsman. He is known for his mobility as a lock and quick decision making in the field. The forwards are led by Romesh Anandaraja a walking tank able to bust through any given defense at any situation. He is also the work horse of the Rajans XV. Tharaka Silva plays the vital Number 8 position in the team. Although he is small in size compared to the other schools’ number 8’s he is quick on his feet and has the capability of barging his way through a couple many defenders when he is in momentum. The play maker of the team has been Chamika Perera the young fly half, he has been in a reasonably good patch in the 7s and the last years’ U18.
Gihan Malinga is another player who has been performing well in the center position in the 7s tournament running around defenders with pure pace and strength. The kicking duties have been assigned to the young wings Oshada Ekanayake and Gihan Ishara known for their speed and stepping at pace, Gihan Ishara is also a junior national footballer. The speedsters Oshada Kulupana and Oshada Ekanayake are the main try scoring options the team possess with players like Charith Habaragama, Krishan Dissanayake and Tharaka Rathnayake have the ability of providing the playmaking and the finishing touches.
Coaching Staff.
The long term coach of Dharmaraja is Radika Hettiarachchi who is a well known ruggerite throughout the Island, a former national and Kandy sc captain. He also guided the lads to win the league championship in 2013, and is in hope of ending up in the top 5 of the table this year with the team he has this year. When inquired about the current situation and the side he said and I quote,
“Dharmaraja is a school known for their studies, we have the players who played for the U18s and in the previous seasons sitting out because of the reluctance of their parents to send their children to play rugby, due to this fact we have to make a squad of players who mainly of less experience and who haven’t played before. This makes it very difficult to implement the strategies and form a XV that links together.”
Radika is being assisted by Rochana Hettiarachchi who is currently the CR & FC fly half. He was also the captain of the Dharmaraja team which led the 2013 champion side of the singer league. With the expertise and the experience of the former national captain, the Rajans may find it realistic to slay a few giants and enter the top 5 which will be an achievement that will make a difference in the years to come.
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