Everyone associated with the schools rugby arena would know that S. Thomas’ has always produced strong and competitive teams vying for the championship
In the Recent Past
. That was until the team was demoted to the ‘B’ division in 2011 for the first time in their history and barring a spectacular year under the captaincy of Devin Jayasinghe, the Thomian outfit have had a hard time of it against quality opposition. Things do seem to be getting better as the College 7’s team emerged 2nd runners-up at the all island 7’s tournament. Traditionally, S. Thomas’ have always produced a better set of forwards compared to their backline but the performance in the 7’s tournament would give a lot of confidence to the team going in to the 15-a-side format.
Current Season
The team started their pre-season training in November and have put a lot of impetus on their strength and conditioning aspect. With new coaches entering the fray, new methods and ideas have been put into practice to make the team a well-drilled unit. The team’s ambition is no lower than 1st place and the squad is desperate to put the nightmare of past seasons behind them.
Driving Force
The team will be led by Hashith Senanayake- younger brother of last year’s captain Hashaka- he has played for the 1st XV side since the year 2011. The lanky second rower could deceive you with his pace as a big man and is also very valuable for the side’s defensive organization.
His deputy will be veteran hooker Pandula De Silva and he first wore 1st XV colours in 2012. A massive unit, ‘Pandu’ can be called upon to carry the ball forward in the final third and his experience will go a long way in making the Thomian forwards the best in the country. Further Pandula can be very reliable from line out plays and paired with captain Hashith, will give the Thomians a huge advantage from such situations.
Another player to watch out for is young Naveen Hena’kankanamage, who performed exceptionally well in the 7’s tournament. Naveen’s pace and strength from wide areas will give the Thomian backline an added boost and he still has a couple of years under his belt to play school’s rugby.
Men Behind the Scene
Taking the Head Coach position for the senior rugby squad is former captain of the S. Thomas’ College 1st XV team Jivan Goonetilleke. He spent a few years as the assistant coach for the former coach Grant Dwyer and will be looking to bring his experience as a former player to the current squad. Once again the forwards will be looked after by former Isipathana and Sri Lanka forward Dhanushka Botheju while one of the new members to the coaching staff, Sevens sensation and former Tusker Mohamed Sheriff will look after the backs and also Sheriff influenced the 7s team to go up to cup semifinal in the 7s. Another new addition to the coaching unit is former Sri Lanka player Dinesh Kumara who will look after the strength and conditioning aspect of the team.
Quotes
Captain Hashith Senanayake speaking to ThePapare explained that “we have been learning new playing styles and patterns and that will help us win the title at the end of the season”.
Head coach Jivan Goonetilleke had this to say: “7’s have never really been a strength for S. Thomas’ so 15’s is our main focus” and added “We are sticking with our traditions; which is forwards play”
Squad
Prop – Malindra Deshapriya – Tehan Perera – Thulithj Bandara – Dave Rathnayake – Chirantha Abeywickrama –
Hooker – Pandula De Silva – Aabed Carder – Paratheepan Thanush –
Second row: Hashith Senanayake – Kathesh Handy – Akash De Chikera – Aron Bulathsinghala – Dodagampage U.N. , Abeetha Pilapitiya –
Flanker: Kevin De Silva – Wayne Mack – Dhanuja Wijeratene – Shaniv Ahangama – Vishanka Rathnayake – Navin Eriyagama – Hairth Senanayake –
NO.O8: Salman Jhan –
Scrum Half: Senal De Silva – Aron Ferdiando – Hashitha Peris –
Fly Half: Praveen Ferdiando – Bhumidndra Dissanayake – Hans Walpola –
Center: Kasun Jayasuriya – Ashwantha Herath – Sharith Nanayakkara – Christene Deille –
Wing: Richard Samuel – Sithija Abeysekara – Shamal Yapa – Raveen Manickkam – Kavindu Mapitiya – Kaveesha Fernando – Ashen Benson –
Full Back: Shakila De Silva – Atheeq Kalim – Lushantha Dabare – Ishaaq Jurangapthy
S.Thomas’ College Captain Hashitha Senanayake
S.Thomas’ College Coach Jivan Goonethilake – Schools Rugby 2015
