St.Peter`s College rugby lineage has been laden with talent and the Blue, White and Gold brigade have made a name as consistent performers of the game through-out the history of eighty three years.
In the Recent Past
Having the privilege of being the fourth institution to introduce the oval shaped ball game to the island, enthusiastic young rugby hopefuls of St. Peter’s College donned the glorious college colours for the first time, in 1932. The Peterites have been able to make in impact in the big league year after year and under the captaincy of the Shenal Aponso the Bambalapitiya lads finished off the last season in the fourth place. They lost to Science College on the quarter-finals of the President`s Trophy knockout tournament 2014 and would look to put that behind them.
Current Season
St.Peter`s minus a couple of prominent changes in their camp with a new coach and a new trainer believe the changes have done justice. Starting off the practices early in the October focusing on all the aspects of the game they are all set to attack the league and make it a memorable one this year. The lads from Bambalapitiya are in sublime form after thrashing all the top sides in the seven`s circuit and winding up unbeaten for the year 2015.
Driving Force
Kevin Dixon will be leading the side from playing 1st XV rugby for the fifth consecutive time. Playing under the likes of modern day greats Dhanushka Ranjan, Dulaj Perera etc, would hold him in good stead to lead the side to a champion outfit. Being the highest try scorer in the last season with eleven tries he is sure to continue his sublime form this season customarily leaving the defenders mere spectators. Possessing the ability to play any position his versatility, lightning speed, game sense and experience would make him phenomenal.
Third year coloursmen Nishon Perera who possess the talent in playing as a forward and also as a center will be a player to watch out this season. Playing in his fourth and final year for the outfit his experience on handling tense situations will come handy in the game. His strength and the pace will be the key factors.
Avishka Heenpalla returning into side after the injuring will play in the position of scrum half and will replace Steve Dharamaratene who bid farewell to his career last year. Rich with potential this young blooming star is one of the best scrum-halves in the school circuit this season. The game sense to off load the ball at the correct time is his key feature. While Heenpalla plays scrum half Diyath Fernando will continue to play in his position of the wing three quarter as he did the previous year. He will beat defenders with his speed and will be a fitting replacement for Shallen Dirckze who left the outfit last year.
The men behind the scene
With the retirement of Colin Denish Peter as the head coach the Peterite camp has set their eyes on foreign blood and has invited Australian Ben Macdougall to take on the assignment this season. Kicking off the season as the sevens champions he has shown some promised even though the fifteens circuit is an entirely different stage which will test him and his boys. Joining with him the new fitness trainer Kapila Dassanayake will also have a huge task in hand in preparing the boys physically. The Rugby Federation together with Mr. Mahesh De Silva the manager of the team, Mr. Troy Bartlet the sports secretary of St. Peter`s College and Rev.Fr. Sharm Dassanayake the priest-in-charge of sports will take care of the administration of the outfit.
In their own words
Coach Ben answering the question of the head start they got on sevens circuit and the preparations “Well yes it was just a magnificent start so we can hopefully continue the good form and win the first game this Saturday and have a good season ahead”.
Skipper Dixion replying ThePapare on who he thinks will be the toughest “well I can’t really say but we will never underestimate our opponents we will go there and play our best and play quality rugby this season”.
Squad
Prop: Dhanilsha Dissanayake – Rahal Delpachithra – Udara Anajana – Reshan Rajapakse –
Hooker: Kusal Ravintha – Andrew Ravin
Second row: Maleesha Rajapaskse – Wishanka Janith – Manal Amarakoon – Narendra Perera –
Flanker: Sajith Sevam – Ranith Silva – Marc De Sliva
NO.O8: Senura Premawardhene – Hairn Biyanwila
Scrum Half: Avishka Heenpalla – Ramal Fernando – Stephen Karunaratene – Stephan Suvraj –
Fly Half: Sandesh Jayawickrama
Center: Nishon Prera – Ramesh Fernando – Avishka Ranasinghe –
Wing: Kamesh Fernando – Diyath Fernando – Harshana Peris – Luke Lakshan – Nimesh Fonseka – Shehan Madhawa – Malith Jayasinghe – Thakshina Nonis
Full Back: Kevin Dixon – Promodh Kannagara
St.Peter’s College Captain Kevin Dixon
St.Peter’s College Coach Ben MacDougall
