Science College Mount-Lavinia after a streak of good play are all set to make a hefty impact on the 2015 U-20 Singer Schools Rugby League.
In the Recent Past
The history of rugby at Science College extends to a long span of three decades. Even though they got on to a sluggish start on the game they have come a long way building up the game in their own unique way. Struggling for resources and matching the massive budgets some of the top schools have is a huge obstacle for the school. The Mount-Lavinia boys qualified themselves to compete with the rugby giants in the school franchise in the year 2010 under the captaincy of Pushpakuamara which was the most highlighted performance of the rugby history. Last season they concluded the year in the sixth place in the points table. Prasad Malinda leading the outfit last season wrote off another successive year even though they ended up in the sixth place.
Current Season
The pre-season practices for lads started early in the month of October preparing themselves to compete against the rest of the rugby giants. Rectifying the mistakes of the past years they have emphasized on the fitness of the players this time around, as it was a main factor that let them down in some good games they played last season. Hosting only one game this season and playing the rest of the games away will be an advantage as the record on away games for the outfit has been impressive. Settling their eye on nothing else but the first three positions in this year’s league the lads are putting in the miles very aggressively.
Driving Force
Skipper Lasindu Ishan acting out a dual role will be playing in both prop and NO.08 positions. Also being the captain of U-18 schools side he will know exactly how to lead a bunch of boys into a winning team. Playing in his fifth year as a 1st XV rugby player his experience, knowledge in the game and his skills in ball handling will indeed come handy in ending this season on a high note.
Nimesh Udayanga supporting the skipper in the colossal task ahead will play the position of center in this season. Nimesh too playing for 1st XV for the fifth consecutive time has been hanging in there for a while which will indeed be an advantage to the outfit. Possessing the ability to play any position at any given time, this all-rounder’s defense and ball handling skills will be something that opposing teams will have to do home-work on.
The speedster Sajith Roshan will become next in line in the list of players to watch out for in the Science College outfit. Even though this is the third year that he is playing in the 1st XV his career is certainly one to applaud. Running through the opposition defense line naturally gives him the quality of being a good finisher in the game which will come handy this season as for sure he will score some eye pleasing tries .
Men behind the scene
Amila Chathuranga the loyal guardian of the Science camp will take on the task for the ninth consecutive time. Commencing his coaching career from Science College he has done justice for the outfit for the past years and he will continue to do so. For his support the veteran Colin Denish Peter will play the role of a technical advisor after his retirement as the Peterite coach. Ransilu Jayathileke will be the man-in charge of the fitness which is a vital area. Together with these gentlemen the Rugby Support Group of Science College will handle the financial and the administrative side of the outfit.
In their own words
Coach Amila Chathuranga answering our question on the preparations answered “We have been preparing well for the season and we have an experienced side so for sure this year too will be an historic year in our rugby story”.
Skipper sharing his thoughts with ThePapare.com “We have a good set of mobile forwards and three-quarters as well plus only a one player left the outfit after last year`s season so it is pretty much the same side with experience so we have a very good balanced side for the season. We will for sure be eyeing the first three positions in this season and nothing else”.
Squad
Prop: Charith Janitha – Ravindu Sankalpa
Hooker: Sajith Lahiru
Second row: Ravindu Sampath – Daminda Lakshitha
Flanker: Madhushan Ayeshmnatha – Udesh Madhushanka – Janith Madushan – Sumedha Jayasinghe – Wiman Kavinda – Dulsara Tharuprabu
NO.O8: Lasindu Ishan – Janith Laksara
Scrum Half: Himesh Madushan – Harsha Pathum – Ashan Madhumadawa
Fly Half: Nishad Niranjan
Center: Niroshan Udayanga – Thanuja Maduranga – Tharindu Maduranga – Sankalpa Anushka
Wing: Sajith Roshan – Manoj Madushanka –– Dilak Rukshan – Nilahan Dassanayake – Sanjula Rohan –
Full Back: Umesh Madhushanka – Vibuda Sahan
Science College Coach Amila Chathuranga – Schools Rugby 2015
Science College Captain Lasindu Ishan – Schools Rugby 2015
