ThePapare.com surveyed the first XV Rugby team of St. Anthony’s College Kandy in the view of determining their prospect of advancement since last tournament for the upcoming 2014 inter-school rugby season. The College is one of the headmost Rugby playing schools marking greater influence in the hill capital and has immensely rendered to the hegemony of Rugby Football in the island.
History
Genesis of the Antonian Rugby occurred in the mid 1950s where the first recorded team was captained by Bruce Winter, but the game was only a first step in the college. Anyway in the early 1960s contemporary students laid their hands on the pill, with all the ardor they could muster for the game flavored by the elbow grease of then coach Bobby Ranaweera. The college also relished many thriving years especially in 1988 where the team came off league runner-up led by skipper Leroy Fonseka. Antonian Rugby was exhilarated by their finest season in 2001 as they emerged unbeaten league champions under the captaincy of Tikiri Dissanayke. Priyantha Ekanayake is notable as the first ever luminous player the college produced to lead the Sri Lanka team. St. Anthony’s has experienced a diverse game throughout the past years as a first-stringer seeking dominance in Rugby sovereignty.
Last Season
The Antonians known by their laudatory epithet ‘Eagles’, ushered a considerable recovery during the last season looking to avenge their unfortunate series a year earlier. The year 2013 was a conspicuous progress as they engaged in several matches of suspense symbolizing their desideratum for success. They handily carried the day as Isipathana routed for 33-22 in the hands of the forceful eagles. Subsequently, St. Anthony’s steamrolled through defensive Royal and Science defeating them in 24-22 and 24-21 victories respectively. They stumbled against Trinity lions off a cliff-hanging game resulting in a 22-14 loss. By all odds, Eagles seem ready to fly high in the forthcoming league.
Players to Watch Out for
The skipper Damien Wijesuriya, a youngster of solid stature is to lead the Antonian side. He stands a leading figure in the locks since his first XV fifteen inception in 2012. He has displayed his mastery in the game securing the ball in rucks and mauls tending to compete for the maxima exerting much power. Indeed flavored by his skills as an all-rounder in the Rugby arena and being a prefect in the college, his ability of leadership to the team is indisputable.
The team of 2014 comprises of eight players from the last years’ team including four seniors. It also should be mentioned that several younger players from U16 have ripened enough to join the first XV squad marking a resplendent era for future Antonian Rugby.
The No 8 Neuman Dilan who represented the Sri Lanka U18 team is a strong ball carrier who is quite capable and run off the backs to push past an opposition’s defensive line. He has also portrayed his typical skills firmly binding between locks and the back of the scrum. Indhu Prasanth is another well-built player who can provide great stability at the scrum while contributing in defense and attack reaching beyond scrummaging in the front row.
Performing dexterously in a double capacity, Antonian first XI cricket captain, a versatile player Nimesha Gunasinghe will play the crucial Fly Half who is decisive in action ably executing attacking kick and keeping territory. The wing Chanuka Ranaraj, an elusive runner has excelled in his primary function to finish off moves and score tries while Dulaj Jayatissa who is skillful in providing the backs with clean ball has an excellent pass, good tactical kicks and deceptive running as the Scrum Half. All in all, the team tended to recognize them as “we all are star players” is craving for a dramatic crash.
Heavy-weight coaching
Veteran Theo Serafim will function as the Rugby consultant for the Antonian Rugby. The New Zealander is not an unfamiliar personality for the Sri Lankan schools Rugby and is reputed for long winning streaks leading teams to greater heights. He is assisted by the Head Coach Priyantha Gunarathne who has masterful credentials in the field as a player, coach, referee and a judge. The gym sessions are conducted by the Kandy SC trainer Vijitha Bandara. They stated that the team had a pretty consistent off season and lads are inclined to be a formidable force in this season.
Final words
The old boys have boundlessly shouldered their area of responsibility in promoting Rugby in the college while MIC Mr. Usmaan shepherded by Rev. Fr. POG and Rev. Fr. Principal have given an immeasurable support with various administrative assistance. The players’ bustling ambiance in the practice field truly demonstrated an effort to revive the Antonian realm of Rugby in this season. The perfect confidence in their ability to succeed would definitely bring this dream a reality.
The Squad
Props
Indhu Prasanth/Ravindu Muramudali/Anjana Ariyawansa
Hookers
Genebern Hendrick/Dinesh Rodrigo/Calvin Andrew
Locks
Damien Wijesuriya (C)/ San Royston/Mohommad Fazly/Mohommad Fawaz
Flankers
Shemal Weerasekara/Pasindu Dulshan/Daham Fernando
Number Eight
Neuman Dilan/Navishka Weerasekara
Scrum Half
Dulaj Jayatissa/Suminda Karandagoda
Fly Half
Nimesha Gunasinghe/Jerald Neveen
Centres
Palaniyappan Pradeep/Kobinath Dushyanth/Hashan Dilshard/Dinuk Amarasinghe
Wings
Chanuka Ranaraja/Prabodhana Rodrigo/Gananajasekaran Naveen/Thilan Jagoda/Mohommad Nisham
Full Back
Hasitha Kasthuri/Mohommad Umar
Quotes :
Skipper Damien Wijesuriya was spoken to by ThePapare and had this to say“With the strenuous efforts exerted in preparation, I am quite confident we have an accomplished side that is fit to fulfill our potential”
