After a thrilling two months of schools rugby, the Dialog Schools Rugby league 2022 concluded with Isipathana College crowned as Dialog Schools Rugby League champions in a show down against the Royal College in the final week of the Super Round.
The championship was filled with some superstar performances, here’s our pick for the Team of the Tournament.
1. Loose Head Prop – Kaveesha Edema – Trinity College
An influential player in the Lions outfit and the only representive from Trinity in our Team of the Tournament, Kaveesha Edema is a versatile front row player. Edema also fulfills the duties of a hooker in the lineout as Trinity’s first choice thrower and is an effective ball carrier with an ability to off-load with ease.
2. Hooker – Venura Sangeeth Kodagoda – Isipathana College
The stand out front row player of the season without a doubt, Venura Kodagoda was an important part of Isipathana going all the way in the league this year. While fulfilling his core duties of scrumming and accurate throws in the lineouts, Venura has been a hard-hitting ball carrier who knows his way to the try line.
3. Tight Head – Hafiz Thabeeth – Wesley College
The tall and lanky prop from Campbell Park, Hafiz Thabeeth has been a standout performer for the double blues this season. From his work rate to explosive speed that had many defensive units caught napping, Thabeeth like his counterpart Edema has broken the traditional mold of prop forwards and posses a great running game.
4. Lock – Soorya Dodangoda – Isipathana College
Isipathana’s domination of the opponents’ line outs was one of the key components of their success in the league and Soorya Dodangoda was an integral part of the setup. Dodangoda showed great control in the lineout which provided Isipathana a very potent weapon in attack and defense.
5. Lock – Abdullah Yousuf – Royal College
Turned into a flanker due to his exceptional work rate in defense in the last week of the league, Abdullah Yousuf was a steady performer for the boys from Reid Avenue. A main component in Royal’s most potent weapon, the driving maul, Yousuf provided Royal with a very safe line out option as a hard tackling, hardworking operator.
6. Flanker – Tharindu Wewalapandith – Isipathana College
From becoming a real pest for the opposition in the lineouts to making those hard hitting tackles and his strong ball carries, Wewalapandith was a work horse for Isipathana College and showcased his brilliance once and for all in the league decider against Royal College, becoming the NDB Player of the Match in the game.
7. Flanker – Sachinthana Waidyanatha – St. Joseph’s College
When talking about a top quality Josephian third rower in the 2022 League, many would have predicted that the imposing Naveen Marasinghe would be the talk of the town, but Sachinthana Waiyantha was very close to stealing the limelight from Marasinghe with some quality performances throughout St. Joseph’s league campaign. He was an important cog in the Josephian defensive wheel while also providing an alternative option in the line outs.
8. Number 8 – Naveen Marasinghe – St. Joseph’s College
The ‘one-man mountain’, highest try scorer of the Dialog Schools Rugby League 2022, having crossed the line 6 times this season, Naveen Marasinghe is undoubtably the most sought after Josephian rugby player of the season. Apart from his imposing physical structure and strength, Marasinghe is also fast, with great ball handling skills which makes him nearly unstoppable.
Honorable mention – Dahan Nithina of Isipathana College
9. Scrum Half – Rigesh Muralitharan – Wesley College
Half back of the double blues, Rigesh Muralitharan had an impressive season. His awareness of space at the back of the opposition line was incredible and that awareness was maximized by his accurate kicks. His game awareness and skill helped Wesley to play the game at their own pace.
Honorable mention – Hansaka Higgoda of Royal College
10. Fly Half – Sahan Keerthisiri – St. Anthony’s College
Highest points scorer of the Dialog Schools Rugby League, Antonian Sahan Keerthisiri was the standout performer in the league for the Antonians. With a massive kicking ability, he is capable of punishing the opposition from anywhere inside the 50m mark and has the ability to kick from both feet. Keerthisiri is also a running flyhalf who is a triple threat with kicking and accurate passing.
Honorable mention – Yehan Bulathsinghalage
11. Wing – Pasindu Heshan – Royal College
A gutty ball carrier and speedster, Pasindu Heshan was the pick of the wingers for the left-wing position. Heshan’s knack for hitting space at pace has been a feature of the winger that assured Royal College important front foot ball against tough defenses. Heshan was also not afraid to get his hands dirty and effectively got involved in close up collisions when required with the forwards.
12. Center – Teran Karunanayake – St. Joseph’s College
Skipper of the Josephian outfit, Teran Karunanayake was a gutty performer for the lads from Darley Road. Despite mainly playing as a 2nd center in the Josephian outfit, we think he is much more suited for the first center role with his great strength in carrying the ball. Although not a massively built player, it takes couple of defenders to bring him down.
13. Center – Kaveen Sasanga – Royal College (Captain)
The skipper of the Team of the Tournament, Kaveen Sasanga was a phenomenal player for Royal throughout the 2022 League. Form operating in center and wing to breaking the defensive lines with ease to score 5 tries in the season with his brilliant reading of the game, Sasanga is a coach’s dream. He also has good kicking ability and is an invaluable territorial kicking asset.
14. Wing – Rinesh Silva – Isipathana College
Wing turned flyhalf Rinesh Silva of Isipathana College impressed in his adapted position as a right wing. Silva used his speed to good affect in hitting small spaces at pace and was a difficult customer to negotiate for the oppositions when in full swing. Silva was also a safe operator under the high ball and with his ability to kick and spot space behind the opposition line, he was able to provide territorial advantage to the team.
15. Fullback – Tharusha Jayaweera – Wesley College
Skipper of Wesley College, Tharusha Jayaweera was the pick of the men for the last line of defense for our team of the tournament. Tall and well-built, Jayaweera loves to run the ball and his straight counter attacking runs were a treat to watch. With a massive boot under him, he is able to gain good distance from his kicks and was one of the few players who was keen on exploring the 50-22 rule to good effect.
Honorable mention – Nabeel Yahiya – Royal College
