Let’s take a closer look at the D.S. Senanayake College Rugby team competing in the Dialog Schools Rugby League 2024.
History
D.S. Senanayake College had their fair share of opportunities playing in the top division, but they have unfortunately failed to sustain their position among the top teams. However, in recent times, they have made a strong case to be a force to be reckoned with. After winning the Division 1 Segment B title in 2022 under the leadership of the highly talented Dinupa Seneviratne, the Donz achieved their well-deserved promotion to the top tier.
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Last season, they stunned many top-tier teams, including St. Anthony’s College, Kingswood College, Wesley College, and S. Thomas’ College. If not for a loss in the last week of the league against St. Joseph’s College, they would have had a golden opportunity to qualify for the Super Round last year.
Current Outfit
With the departure of 14 senior players from last year, there’s a lot of rebuilding for them to do in 2024. Just like last year, the Donz will have an explosive backline, but how the forwards come into play will most likely decide their fate in most games this season.
Players to Watch Out For
Skipper Sehanda Umagiliyage, one of the top points scorers for D.S. Senanayake College last year, will once again play an important role. His monster territory gains and valuable spot-kicking ability will be crucial, along with his leadership, for the Donz to take that extra step forward in 2024.
The Vice-Captain for D.S. Senanayake College, Thiven Perera, will play as the number 8 and will be the main man for the team when it comes to the forwards. The rest of the young forwards will look for inspiration from this exceptional number 8, who needs to ensure he keeps the opposition teams at bay with his solid defensive skills.
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Janidu Wijayarathna scored 39 points last season and took the league by storm with his sheer speed. He is their best runner without a doubt and someone with the ability to go coast to coast, evading even the best defenders on his day. His kicking ability adds another dimension to his game, making him the perfect backup option for kicking duties.
Coaches
Asela Deshapriya has been an inspirational coach for D.S. Senanayake College, making gigantic strides with this team. After finishing just outside the top 4 last season, he aims to ensure the Donz overcome that hurdle and become serious contenders for the title this year.
Alongside Deshapriya, Ashane Dissanayake serves as their assistant coach, while Azmir Fajurdeen and Dinesh de Silva act as the forwards and backs skill development coaches, respectively. Charith Seneviratne is the kicking coach for the Donz, and Sanka de Silva joins as the Physio. Samod Madulanka, who was part of the squad last year, is part of the supporting staff this year as the assistant trainer. Lastly, the team manager for the boys in Black and Gold will be Sunil Jayantha.
Expectations for the Season
As newcomers in 2023, the D.S. Donz almost qualified to play in the coveted Super Round. Therefore, in 2024, their main aim will be to jump that hurdle and progress to the top four.
The Donz are playing all their seven games in Colombo this season, with Havelock Park being their home venue for most of the games. Their away fixtures are against Science College and S. Thomas’ College.
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They have a good mixture of seniors and juniors in the squad, and if they manage to keep calm and absorb pressure in tough games against the more settled top-tier sides, this might very well be a golden year in the history of rugby at D.S. Senanayake College.
Full Squad
Forwards – Thiven Perera (Vice Captain), Omika Lison, Chamod Dewmith, Sahas Balasooriya, Chenitha Weligamage, Pathum Peiris, Navida Hettiarachchi, Chamudu Weerasinghe, Lankesh Wickramasinghe, Methila Peiris, Praveen Lakmal, Tharuth Shenal, Sanu Perera, Geethma Methul, Yerash Bumuddaka, Buddhi Peiris, Thimath Jithnula, Chamika Gimhana, Sathila Rumeth, Yuhas Balasooriya, Mohommad Ihsan
Backs – Sehanda Umagiliyage (Captain), Janidu Wijayarathna, Malith Samarakoon, Malan de Mel, Sandeep Lakshan, Rasindu Bandara, Mohommada Sabeer, Chamith Nilusha, Thenula de Silva, Kinith Gimhan, Pawan Lihara, Dushal Ayeshmantha, Tatheera Dahamdiv, Lithium Weerasinghe, Yasanda Dinan
Fixtures
- Vs Dharmaraja College – 15th June at CR & FC
- Vs Trinity College – 22nd June at Havelock Park
- Vs St. Anthony’s College – 28th June at Havelock Park
- Vs Science College – 07th July at Air Force Grounds
- Vs S.Thomas’ College – 13th July at S.Thomas’ Grounds
- Vs Isipathana College – 21st July at Sugathadasa Stadium
- Vs Sri Sumangala College – 27th July at Havelock Park
