S Thomas college created history for their school beating the much fancied Trinity ‘Lions’ on Saturday the 20th at Havelock grounds, heralding the anticipated turn around in Thomian rugby.
Despite occupying a dominant position of the Singer schools rugby B division, the real test was to be their Trophy games which give them an opportunity to go up against the top billing in the A division.
Thomian rugby which took a nose-dive in recent years being relegated to the B division for the first time in the history of the league and not being able to raise their game even in the B division in the 2012 season losing-out to Dharmaraja College and Wesley College, made more than a statement at Havelock park by inflicting a convincing defeat to Trinity college Kandy(29-15)
A lot of hard work behind the scenes and on the field, yielded the great come-back in which the skipper Devin Jayasinghe led the way with his kicking boots slotting in 4 penalties and 2 conversions.
ThePapare met up with the S Thomas college 1st XV rugby captain Devin Jayasinghe to get his thoughts.
TP: What was the “key motivation” behind the team before facing Trinity?
DJ: it was a “do or die” attitude taken up by each and every player. We knew that failure was not an option and the countless hours of training put in and the way we took the game was a testament to “how much we wanted it” and clearly we wanted it more.
TP: What was the mood of the camp like before the game?
DJ : I was an amazing intensity resonating from the coaches to the players. However we were more concerned about taking our campaign one match at a time despite whom or what would come out of the opposing dressing room this bought us focus and somehow managed to channel the intense emotion in to cold concentration.
TP : What has coach Mr Grant Dwyer’s impact been on the team ?
DJ : He is a very analytical coach who understands and identifies the skills of each player. He has broadened our perspectives of the game and has introduced us to a new arsenal of “tricks of the trade “ he is perhaps the most significant catalyst towards the team.
TP : How has the support of the warden and administration helped the team so far ?
DJ : The warden especially has been a great support to the team as he appreciates and understands the effort and commitment put forward by both the players and the coaching staff not only from the perspective of a “warden” but also a passionate fan of the game. As for the administration they have been quick and keen to tend to the needs of the players therefore been a noteworthy strength to my team.
The Thomians are currently in the singer schools rugby B division with a strong chance of being promoted to the “big pond”
This serves as a reminder that the school by the seas is not only a fierce opposition for any “big fish” but also that the famed “Thomian grit” is very real and far beyond the stuff of legend.
