The unbeaten triple champions of the year 2014 Isipathana College will set foot into the lawn to retain the title and create history once more in the school rugby franchise.
In the recent past
After the lapse, the green machine came storming back to the league last year winning all 3 crowns in style under the captaincy of Senal Deelaka with the aid of Omalka Guneretene, Ghanuka Dissanayake to make the year 2014 a year that everyone will be remember for another decade. Isipathana churns rugby bloody with the school always being in contention in the league and also giving the country a good base of rugby players. The likes of Nalin De Silva, Hisham Abdeen, Selvin Sally, Bandula Mallikarachy, Shamly Nawaz and more lately Rizah Mubarak, Sajith Saranga, Dinusha Chathuranga, De Costa brothers, Lasintha, Ashan, Kavindu, Anuranga Walpola, Srinath Sooriyabandara, Niroshan Fernando, Vishwamithra Jayasinghe etc
Current Season
After the retirement of six senior players of the 2014 dream tea, the green machine has re-grouped themselves in the early months of October to start preparations for the season. The season kick started for the boys in green as they stepped into the seven circuits as the defending champions yet the mighty Peterites stole the title. Putting the false start to the back of their minds the lads have been practicing hard in every aspect of the game mostly emphasizing on their fitness levels and different match situations which will be a key factor in winning games.
The Driving Force
The phenomenal NO.08 Omalka Guneratene will lead the green machine for this season. Playing himself in the same position as he did last year he will be a player impossible to stop when he is in hunger for the points on the board. With his power and the skill in the game he will beat any player who comes one on one with him.
The playmaker of the side Isuru Kongahawattawa will continue his role this year as well. One of the smartest players in the lawn for the outfit, he will make sure that he rotates the ball all-around the park and the understanding that he has with the wing-three quarters for the cross kicks will come handy in creating gaps and lapses in the defense line.
Rehan Romesh playing in the position of center for the outfit has the ability to play full-back, fly half and that talent will make the defenders sit around the park and think of new strategies of stopping him. Having the ability to move around the lawn swiftly adds to his line of skills.
The men behind the scene
The gentleman in charge needs no introduction to rugby in Sri-Lanka. Manufacturing team after team of champions and delivering Isipathana as triple crown winners last year, veteran coach Nilfer Ibrahim will hold the duties of guiding the side this season as well. National player Anuranga Walpola the second man in charge of the green machine will help coach Ibrahim.
In their own words
Coach Ibrahim answering the question on the preparations for 2015 season answered “Around six players left the team after last season but the rest are here with us. So preparations have been good. Nothing special just sticking to the basics and making sure that we do the right match situations so that it will ease the pressure off the shoulders of the boys”.
Skipper Guneratene sharing his views with ThePapare.com “We have been preparing well for the season although we could not perform well in the seven`s games we have overcome that lapse and we are in a strong mental position to go there and win the league for our college”.
Squad
Prop- Sachin Dulshan – Lahiru Vishwajith – Isuru Udayakumara – Kavish Jayasundara – Vikash Vimadha – Pramutha Inesh.
Hooker: – Kaveesha Madushan – Shaab S. Hameed.
Second row: Matheesha Sarathchandra – Chathura Dilshan – Adeesha Heshan – Sudeera Gayanath.
Flanker: Nisal Deshitha – Vageesha Weerasinghe – Sasmitha Fernando – Devin Guneratene – Vishan Adrian – Umesh Jayamanne – Sachintha Nandula.
Scrum Half: – Harsha Maduranga – Hairth Udara.
Fly Half: Isuru Umayanga – Randy Silva – Manilka Sulakshana.
NO.O8 – Omalka Gunertene
Center: Kushan Indunil – Rehan Silva – Anurudha Rankothge –
Wing: Asitha Gayashan – Dilan Gamage – Ravindu Pramod – Dileeka Viduranga – Vinoge Kehsaka – Ahamed Azmi
Full Back: Chamodh Fernando – Gayan Wickramaratene
Isipathana College Coach Omalka Guneratene
Isipathana College Coach Nilfer Ibrahim
