The Sri Lanka Air-Force SC in a bold move, yet again decides to take on all the opposition without foreign players. It was not the start they wanted in the new season where they had to suffer a big defeat from the hill country lads for a 78 – 09.
Nevertheless, Prasanna Zoysa the captain who has a decade of playing experience for the Airmen is confident that the local talent will add sparks in the coming weeks.
A bit of Old
AVM Harry Goonetileke was without doubt, one of the more obvious sporting Commanders the Air Force has seen over the years. Under his guidance, sports at Sri Lanka Air Force flourished and reached great heights and he was popularly called the father of Air Force Rugby and not without good reason! The Air Force team was placed in the B Division of the premier Rugby tournament in the country. He raised standards, groomed players and helped the Air Force into the A Division.
The Air Force Rugby team had the likes of Jeff Rutnam, Mohan Balasuriya, Tikiri Marambe, Nalin Silva, Rohan Gunaratne and Jeyer Rodriguesz in their ranks. All are good players who also represented Sri Lanka Tuskers in rugby. Flt Lt Mohan Balasuriya brought honour to Air Force Rugby when he was chosen to captain the Sri Lanka Rugby team in 1970’s. Interestingly, Rohan Gunaratne’s is another remarkable story. He had never played rugby before joining the Air Force yet he learnt and mastered the game, to perform with great distinction and represented his country.
Lately
During the last season despite being underdogs and without foreigners, the Air Force looked like they could pose a threat at any given time. They played their hearts out with a great mental strength just like in the battle fields. If they could work more on their conditioning and game planning with the current talented local bunch, they would undoubtedly be able to become a thorn in the side of many an opposition.
The Driving Force
Lahiru Udyanga playing his role as the hooker will be one of the players that will change the direction of the game in favor of the outfit. The skipper mentioning the importance of Lahiru stated that ‘the ability that he possesses to ‘hit and turn’ in quick time will help our forwards to play the attacking game. Gayan Iddamalgadoa, the play maker and the lad in charge of the kicking duties will take charge in the pivotal position of No 10. The Airmen will heavily rely on his kicks to gain territorial advantage as well as to add the valuable penalties and conversions. The most experienced campaigner in the outfit Charith Seneviratne, who also did national duty once will come handy with a good understanding between him and Iddamalgoda in the running game.
New Blood
Prasad Malinda who captained the Science College this year is playing as the first choice scrum half for the Airmen, this is a great opportunity for him to taste club rugby and shine among the rest of the No 9’s. Chathura Gomes also who played for Science College this year is another skillful little dynamite who plays in the centre field.
Coaching Contingent
Dishantha Priyadhrashana will be the man in-charge this year for the guardians of the sky. Coaching Wesley College and St. Joseph`s College prior to this appointment, he holds vast experience in the game and it will be interesting to see how his strategy will come into contention this season. He will be assisted by Rohan Fernando and Nalaka Dissanayake while Priyankara Buddhika will be in-charge of the team’s fitness.
What they had to say
The skipper Prasanna Soysa took a minute before his practice session to share his thoughts with ThePapare.com and he stated the fact though they had a bad game in the season opener, they will bounce back strongly during their second encounter. For the question that we asked about the preparations with the new coach, he mentioned that it`s been great so far as he had mainly focused on the technical division of the game as that was one of the key features that they have been not giving their one hundred percent in the recent past.
“With the experience of the new comers and with the new training schedules that we are following, I am sure we can make an impact this year” the skipper further shared his thoughts with us.
Troops
Props – Aamal Dassanayake, Buddhika Jayasinghe, Saumya Silva, Pandula Bandara, Chandana Abeyratene, Ranuka Medagedara.
Hookers – Lahiru Udyanga, Sampath Wickramasighe, Parakrama Rathnayake.
Locks – Prasanna Zoysa (Captian), Supun Madhushanka, Nilantha Jayaweera,Anura Kulatunga, Pradeep Kurukulusooriya.
Flankers – Kasun Rodrigo, Shaminda Udayakumara, Jayesh Nilanga, Thanuja Sandamal, Sanjeewa Patabedige, Donald Frank, Dhanushka Jayaratene, Rumesh Wasantha.
NO.08 – Dinesh Weerartene, Jude Ranasnghe, Gayan Anuradha.
Scrum Half – Isuru Jayarathene, Prasad Malinda, Nadeesh Perera, Dilan Lasantha.
Fly Half – Gayantrha Iddamalgoda, Nalin Sirisena.
Centers – Chathura Dilshan, Soorya Krishan, Charitha Seneviratene.
Wing – Lahiru Weerasighne, Amila Bandara, Gayan Heenkeuda, Dinesh Balasooriya, Suranga Anurashantha, Jero Dhananjaya.
Full Back – Chamath Fernando, Asanka Perera, Nuwan Perera.
