Celebrating 100 years in the oval ball sport, defending champions Royal College will march onto the 2016 season with the high aspirations of retaining the coveted silverware that they won last season and to continue their unbeaten streak in this centenary year.
Early years
Cricket was the main the pastime existent within the walls of Royal College till the early 20th century. The year 1916 shifted the dimensions at Reid Avenue when the oval ball game was introduced for the first time. Four years down the line, Royal College locked horns with Trinity College to play their first encounter. The Trinity-Royal rugby game, continuous to date, is battled for the coveted Bradby Shield that was introduced in the year 1945 by the then Royal College principal E. L. Bradby.
Rise of the Blue Golds
From a humble beginning, the Blue, Gold & Blues have evolved into yet another unstoppable force in the school rugby arena in the country. When Shehan Pathirana captained the 2011 side, he made sure his team remained to the best in the league and ended up winning it but Trinity pounced in the second leg of their traditional encounter to win the Bradby Shield. Giving justice to Pathirana’s valiant efforts, it was the Banuka Gamage led 2015 team that achieved the unimaginable. The 2015 Royal 1st XV went on to be undisputed league champions and above all won the coveted Bradby Shield after a lapse of four years. Not forgetting the misery in 2011, Royal gave Trinity a taste of their own medicine winning the second leg of the encounter 49-0.
The Royal front line seemed to be an indestructible force and it was a fact that was proven throughout the season. #8 Supun Warnakulasooriya ended up with the highest try aggregate last season that came off as a collective effort from the pack. With more than five players making their way to the national squad last year, Royal College could refer to it as a truly golden year to celebrate.
Gunadeera at the helm
Playing in the shoes of Supun Warnakulasooriya, third year player Nikhil Gunadeera will lead the Royal College team at the #8 position. Nikhil was an integral part in the Royal front row, playing as prop forward but having graduated from the position of prop forward, he looks to play a more responsible role in the third row. This will be a real tester as well as a challenge for the skipper as he would look to replicate the role of Warnakulasooriya and push Royal over the white line.
Players to watch
Fourth year player Ashok Wijekumar will once again look to be a stand-out for the side in the blue & gold jersey. Being the most experienced player out of the lot, Wijekumar will want to retain the glory and win the league back for his side before he hangs his boots.
Another senior lad who understands the necessities of the team when it is most needed is Mahima Gamage. The winger, who was sensational last season, was a key asset when Royal tried their luck through their three-quarters. With tries going under his name, Gamage will be represent in the pace element in the Royal team while in the front line it will be Ayesh Maduranga who would be doing the hard work. The hefty prop forward will continue his spot in the front row and with both experience and talent in store, Royal comprise of a formidable outfit.
Royal will be looking to play a fast moving game this season as they feature a more mobile attack. With no player crossing the 100kg mark, this gives indications that the Royal forwards will be looking to change their playing dimensions and convert themselves to fast moving mobile utility forwards. In this way they could outrun their opponents anytime, any day.
Martis to continue at the helm
Veteran coach Sanath Martis will continue his stint at Reid Avenue. Over the past year, he has been able to mentor a match-winning outfit to become a league title winning one. With his experience in the school rugby arena, he went on to coach the Sri Lanka Under 20 team that participated in the Junior ASIAD. In his third year as coach, Martis will look to end this season on a high note just as last season. Former Royal College vice captain and National skipper Dushanth Lewke will assist Martis this season.
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