As the island prepares itself for another successful season of the oval shaped ball game, the legitimate heirs of the rugby crown in this beautiful island readies themselves in the hill country with gallantry and fortitude to bring back what slipped out of their grasp.
Twelve-time league title holders and acclaimed heroes of the rugby anecdote of Sri Lanka, Kandy Sports Club prepares most vociferously for entry to the much anticipated Club Rugby Season which would kick start in a matter of days.
The men from the Kandyan kingdom have always acclaimed and celebrated to be the toughest warriors giving out their best at all occasions as ancient legends would have them depicted. But in more recent times, with the development of the oval-ball game, the valor of these lads have been showcased on the playing field above all other aspects.
A bit of history
The roots of the club house of Nittawela go back to the inaugural year of 1874 where it was incorporated by the British Coffee Planters and went onto enter into the sport of rugby at its infancy stages while the fully fledged ground came into existence only in 1954. Often called the Kandyan revolution or the facelift of the Kandy Sports Club, the club hit the pedal on the gas in the 1992 where they secured their first league title. Since this milestone achievement in a time span of 21 years, they have registered 17 league titles and have gone on to create a legacy in the rugby field in the island supplying the national grid with enough stalwarts to compete in the international circuit. Some of the past greats from the hill capital requiring mention are Nalaka Weerakkodi, Haris Omar, Priyantha Ekanayaka etc.
Recap of 2012
Foreseeing the 2012 season, the rugby critiques analyze the bygone year to be the one of destruction for the Kandyans as they were ousted from their title and had to end up runners up. In the common perspective Kandy fared pretty well in their outings specially in consideration of their home encounters but failed to hold on to the title as they had to face defeat against Havelock’s which tilted the balance to the Colombo club.
Roshan Weeraratna to lead the Kandy SC
Senior player and national scrum-half Roshan Weeraratna takes the reigns as captain for the year 2013 in the absence of his brother Gayan Weeraratna who is suffering of knee injury and has been ruled out of the tournament. Roshan, who is a product of Kingswood and played national U 19 and represented the Tuskers has proven himself worthwhile over the years in the Kandy jersey while playing in positions of scurm-half and wing-three. Speaking to ThePapare on the prospects for the 2013 season, he emphasized they will mainly focus on bringing back the title to where it always belonged.
After celebrating success in the schools rugby format of the island, coach Neil Foote will move on to club rugby for the first time as he takes on coaching the Kandyans for the years 2013/14. Footie who started as head coach of Trinity College Kandy in 2011 was successfully able to drive the institution to a long awaited Bradby victory while securing the President’s trophy in the same year. The shield was retained in Kandy ever since his tenure and much will be expected from the former Kiwi coaching advisor in taking forth Kandy SC back on to victory track.
Kandy Sports Club’s approach every year has been that of experience, professionalism and veteran. Throughout the years this has always been the protocol which had been observed without any deflation or movement. The 2013 season will no doubt be a complete change from the normal proceedings where the heavyweight from Kandy fields in a completely new and young aspiring side for the upcoming year moving away from the traditional framework.
Sean Wijesinghe to power the Forwards
The most senior person in the current team, one would reckon Sean to be the driving force of the Kandy Sports Club. Celebrating a decade wearing the Blue, Red and White Kandy jersey, Sean Wijesinghe will play in his favorite position of Flank this year. Acclaimed for his strength and muscular ability Sean will no doubt be the person to watch this rugby season.
The main strengths of Kandy has always been its front line or the pack. The hefty prop forward and national player Kishore Jehan will lead the attack line for the Kandyans for another successive year while he will be assisted Damith Dissanayaka and Piyumal Manchanayaka together with Heshan Kalhara and Uchitha Jayasooriya.
Fresh faces this season
The Kandy Sports Club has indeed taken a facelift this season with players from school rugby arena in the squad for the sports club. School rugby stronghold and Junior U20 Skipper Randika Alwis will come in to the Kandy team in the position of second row while school rugby sensations Thilina Wijesinghe and Richard Dharmapala will be also featured in the Kandy Sports Club team for the 2013. Royalist and three quarter Damian Ratwatte will also be a part of the squad for the upcoming season.
The three-quarter lineup
Skipper Roshan Weeraratna will lead the line of the Kandyans as they compromise of a comprehensive lineup. The experienced duo Anuradha Wilwara and Danushka Dayan will be playing in wing three and 1st Center while the twins Lavanga Perera and Oshan Perera together with Mohammed Jabbar fill in the rest of the gaps in the line. Thilina Wijesinghe will no doubt be the key figure to watch as he would make his debut in the Kandy jersey this weekend in the position of full-back.
Marija to miss out
The Iconic veteran and national Sevens skipper Fazil Marija is yet to confirm his fitness and will not be available for the first few games of the season. Marija who is known as the Golden boy of Sri Lanka rugby has always been a people’s player and has been in the limelight winning the hearts of the enthusiastic crowd in Nittawela and constituents around the country. Sri Lankan national caps Saliya Kumara and Pradeep Liyanage will also miss out on this season due to injuries and much effort will be needed to fill the shoes of these great lads.
The overseas trio
The overseas players are now a key feature in the club rugby season and this year Kandy Sports Club compromises of three key individuals who would be featuring in the Kandy jersey. New Zealender Andrew Porter will come in to the team as NO8. The six-footer, who has been playing in club championships in France, Scotland and Ireland, will be a tough proposition to counter. Along with him would be Samisoni Masima, Tongan by origin who would be playing as number 8 or Flank this season.
Filling the shoes of the great Fazil Marija is indeed a daunting task. Such a task has been bestowed upon New Zealander Fatoon Fili who would be the stand-off for the team.
Conclusion
The year 2013 of Kandy Sports Club will be a year to look forward to as they come in to the season with an entire new layout which will stand out from all the other years of its long standing history. The absence of players such as Pradeep Liyanage, Gayan Weeratna and especially Fazil Marija will be a major setback and especially would be a disappointment to the fans who would gather at Nittawela.
Mentioning that, the youth investment seems to be a formidable one as much can be expected from these young individuals as they take on conquering the club rugby arena. The likes of Randika Alwis and Thilina Wijesinghe will be much observed and would play key in the Kandyans game play.
Kandy will be facing CH & FC in their season opener amidst a packed audience in Nittawela.
ThePapare.com would like to wish them all the very best for the season.
Full Squad
Props – Kishore Jehan, Heshan Kalhara, Damith Dissanayaka, Piyumal Manchanayaka,
Locks – Randika Alwis, Dinesh Sanjeewa
Third Row – Sean Wijesinghe, Asitha Ratnayaka, Andrew Porter, Samisoni Masima
Half Back – Roshan Weeraratna
Flyhalf – Fatoon Filai, Fazil Marija
Wings – Danshaya Danush, Oshan Perera, Mohammed Jabbar
Centers – Lavanga Perera, Anuradha Wilwara
Fullback – Thilina Wijesinghe
