Back to back Plate Champions in the Dialog Rugby League Police SC are looking to take that next step and finish this season in the top three.
A bit of old
Rugby at Police SC was started in 1963 and in 1968 they were promoted to ‘A’ Division. Three years later they had their first title under the captaincy Anton Benedict when they won the Knockout Tournament, but it was not until the early 80’s that Rugby at Police SC thrived and became a force to reckon with.
After winning their first League title in 1980 Police went on a record breaking decade as they consecutively won the ‘A’ Division League title which was then known as the ‘John Player League’ from 84-89. During that time they had Seven’s tournament wins. The most significant years during that time was when Police won the Treble, (‘A’ Division, Clifford Cup and Seven’s) in 1985 and 1989.
“Police are a side that has shown remarkable form in the 80’s. We were ‘league’ as well as ‘knockout’ champions. We want to emulate that form and bring back the glory days,” Assistant coach Chandralal Samarakoon added reminiscing about Police SC’s better days.
With one match left and the title in sight Police had to withdraw from the League tournament in the 1990 because of the war in the North, however they returned the next year and won the President’s Trophy and the League which incidentally was the last time they tasted a championship.
During the years many Rugby greats have donned the Police jersey; Anton Benedict, Daya Jayasundara, Majeed, Sunil Perera, Rohan Gunarathna, M.H. Massom, Siriwardena, Nizam Jamaldeen, Sudath Sampath, Niranjan Abeywardena, Nilantha and Hemantha Lakshmiwewa, Aruna De Silva, Roger Rodrigo, Hector Gunathilaka, Asoka Jayasena, W. Thilakarathna to name a few.
Lately
Police SC in the past couple of seasons has been consistent winning the Plate championship. However failure to go beyond the plate championship has been a worry and has made the players and the management scratch their heads wondering what can be done to improve this form.
“This year we have a foreign coach who will be arriving in a couple of days’ time. We got some experienced contracted players as well as good school players. We are looking short term as well as for the future. Police have also added Fiji sevens player Apisai Naqaliva and a couple of other Fijians too.” Samarakoon talked about the balance of his squad.
“We have trained for one and half months and have mainly focused on basics. Especially in the pack and scrum time where we have noticed we lack that stability compared to other top finishing teams. The players have shown the hunger to know stuff and execute them at the correct time” he further added.
The Driving Force
Police SC have a well-balanced squad this season including former Police SC captain, Sri Lanka XV and Sevens squad member Romesh Archirige, whose career was started at the Police Park. In their ranks are a few experienced contracted players in former Navy SC fly half Devinda Prasad, CR&FC winger Heshan Gunarathne and utility back Samantha Lakshan.
Police has a well-established development programme in which they identify future Police sports talents through an inter-division tournament which is held each year and the stand out players are given an opportunity to represent Police in their respective sports.
The talent which is identified in Rugby is nurtured as a 2nd XV and the best players from that side are included into the 1st XV squad and the inclusion of experienced schools’ rugby players will give Police SC an added bonus.
New Blood
They have also added the live wire of the 2014 schools Triple Champions, Isipathana College’s Sudam Sooriyarachchi. Sudam also represented the Sri Lanka U19 team at the recently concluded Junior Rugby World Cup qualifiers.
Foreign Ammo
When it comes to making a difference at crunch time, Police will look no further than the Fiji Sevens sensation Apisai Naqaliva. The 100kg weight and 5.10 height beast of a man can play at any position in the back line and has even recently played as a hooker for the Fiji sevens side.
Coaching Contingent
With their foreign coach yet to arrive in Sri Lanka, Police SC has been working diligently under the watchful eyes of Assistant coach Chandralal Samarakoon, while Chamika Ranasinghe and Manuka Gunaratne acting as Manager and Physio respectively.
What they had to say
“We have a well-balanced unit this year. We have three past captains along with the seniors and also a few contracted players who have performed well in other clubs. Talking about youngsters we have former Isipathana College and Sri Lanka U19 scrum-half Sudam Sooriyarachchi.” Police SC captain Hashan Gomez added about the diversity of his squad.
“Last year we were plate champions. In the Clifford Cup we gave a good fight to Kandy though we lost 41-31. This year our goal is to finish in the top three.” Hashan added with a top three finish in mind.
“We have a good mix of experience, youth and also foreign players. This is an exciting team. ” Samantha Lakshan, the journeyman who has played for Havelock SC, Navy, Up-Country Lions and Hambanthota Sharks added about his newest team.
“Police were plate champs last year. We had a good practice match against Kandy last week. Things are looking better each day. I plan to use my inside knowledge about other teams to good use with Police,” Lakshan added looking to impart his knowledge.
Police SC Squad
Props – Devaraja Shivanandan – Manoj Silva – Udara Gayan – Lasitha Randeera
Hookers – Jayanga Silva – Thisara Maduwantha – Prasath Madusanka – Asantha Pasindu – Akmal Hassen
Second Row – Romesh Archirige – Yasantha Gallage – Gemunu Settinayaka – Etuate Qio – Kulathilaka Alahakoon
Flankers – Shanaka Harischandra – Eshan Molagoda – Filimoni Seru – Chanaka Suriyapperuma
Number 8 – D.Senevirathne
Scrum Half – Chamuka Nalinda – Sudam Sooriarachchi
Fly half – Devinda Pathiranage – Lahiru Gurusinghe – Samantha Lakshan
Centers – Nalin Dhananjaya – Niroshan Karunanayake – Lekima Rokolisoe – Apisai Naqaliva
Wingers – Jeewan Amaradasa – Randitha Warnapura – Heshan Gunaratne
Full Back – Hashan Gomes – Rasika Gayan – Sithum Chathusanka
