With a rich and a long tradition of rugby and a history of terrific tournaments, old time rugby giants CH & FC will be determined to put up an improved season during the upcoming Dialog Rugby League 2014/15 starting from this weekend.
A bit of Old
Among the clubs in Sri Lanka, few are those with a pedigree such as ‘The Gymkhana Club Arguably, as it is one of the oldest clubs in Sri Lanka. It began as The Colombo Cricket Club ‘(CCC) in 1863 at No.31, Maitland Crescent Colombo 7 at the present location. It was a home-away-from home for the British to whom meeting at ‘The Club’ was a daily event which they looked forward to unwinding with their peers and of course playing cricket.
In 1892 the Colombo Hockey and Football Club (CH & FC) was mooted. It was head quartered at the Racecourse and catered to Rugby, Hockey and Soccer enthusiasts, centrally located with ample playing area and well-kept grounds. Before long ‘The Club’ gathered a reputation for fielding outstanding players in Rugby, Hockey and Soccer. Many went on to play nationally and represent Ceylon (Sri Lanka).
Lately
The boys from the Maitland crescent have not been living up to their old-reputations of the glory days of the past. CH&FC playing with devil`s own luck ended up in the bottom most position of the table during the last season. CH&FC with the thought of claiming a teaspoon of glory have suited themselves up with brand-new testosterone together with a brand new coaching contingent for the upcoming Dialog Rugby Season 2014/15. With the likes Mushin Faleel, Hamza Hassan, Hasthika Bandaranyake who shifted themselves from CR&FC to Maitland crescent, the team is geared up in a manner to make an impact this time.
The Driving Force
Centre Mushin Faleel will carry the pressure on his heavy shoulders as without no doubt he is one of the finest centers that game have ever seen. The skipper Radeesha Seneviratene expressing his ideas on Mushim stated the fact that the talent he carries to finish the job and end the possession with a try will be something that they expect from him in every game. Hasthika Banadaranayake playing the position of the locker is a player who uses his body weight to play the game in a fine manner. The skipper of the Royal College in the year 2012 Rimzi Jamaldeen will play his minutes to CH&FC as the fly-half and will call the shots in the line onto as which plays and how the set pieces should be executed.
Foreign Ammo
CH&FC strengthening their line and pack have taken the courtesy of Tarnaki player from New Zealand who played in the ITM cup finals a fortnight ago. Tumia Ioanne powering up the center position is joined by Rusi Vukula at No 8 and is expected to make hay. As per CH & FC sources they are expecting another player to join the ranks.
Coaching Contingents
Sri Lanka U 19 and former Royal and CR & FC coach Bilal Yousuf will be handling the flock. His tactical knowledge and penchant for organization will be the back-bone on which this outfit put-forth their fight.
What they had to Say
Captain Seneviratne stated that despite being a new team with the support of the club and coach they intend making an impact this season with a view to ending up around the 5th place in the league. “There is good potential, particularly the players who have joined have the material to attract. Eight-nine players who have captained the schools and 15-16 are Sri Lanka Youth players. We have some good foreigners also flown down last night – so exciting times ahead” Bilal Yousuf stated with much anticipation about his new unit.
Troops
Prop – Eroshan De Alwis, Nimhan Jainudeen, Sanjaya Gihan, Ishanka Manamperi, Rukshan Perera, Kokila Hiran
Hooker – Hamza Hazzen, Dilusha Padmakumara,
Locks –Ganidu Laskshan, Dulip Waranajeewa, Sanjeewa Priyadharshana, Farshad Hassen, Charles Praveen, Hasthika Bandaranayake
Flankers – Chilanka Samaraweera, Gayan Rathnage, Wasula Wimalaveera, Uthpalak Seneviratene, Radeesha Seneviratene (Captain), Dilip Selvam.
No.08 – Rusi Vukula,
Scrum Half –Piyum Jayasinghe, Dinesh Tharanga, Godfree Irenwhite, Sheezan Saleh
Fly Half –Dinesh Se Silva, Rimzi Jamaldeen,
Centre –Tumuna Ioanne, Mushin Faleel, Dilshan Kelaniyagoda,
Wing – Pabasara Hewage, Lahiru Priyankara, Miyuru Hewawasm, Uditha Premathilake, Eranda Ranaweera, Akila Jayasundara.
Full back – Rajitha Sansony, Dhushannka Peris, Kanishka Saranga,
