With a successful stunt over the past two years, the heirs of the Kandyan crown, the school on the hills Trinity College Kandy readies themselves for probably for one of their greatest conquests in this century as they eye greater glories this upcoming season.
Brief History
Being the pioneers in the induction of the oval shaped game to the nation way back in 1906, this year’s team takes the glory of being the 114th outfit to dorn the most celebrated red, gold and blue jersey. The journey in the sport which began with the first match being played against Kingswood College over its century old passage, the sport has been embedded on to the institutions traditions where the sport runs in lieu with the institutions roots.
The most celebrated possession of the school rugby arena; the Bradby Shield is what every Trinity outfit has dreamed to lay their hands upon. Played against age old rivals Royal College, any Trinitian who donned that prestigious jersey’s ultimate intention would be to take home the prize.
Recent Past
The past three years has been elevated to be the golden era in the sport of rugby for Trinity in the 21st century. The journey which saw birth at the second leg of the Bradby Shield way back in 2011 under the captaincy of Murad Ramzeen has evolved to its highest possible peak with Trinity ending up runners up for two consecutive years.
Last year’s season was a story of consistency where the Lions ended up as runners up in the league being second only to Dharmaraja College. Skipper Halique Wadood had much to celebrate as he was successfully able to retain the coveted Bradby Shield at home making it three consecutive years in a row.
Pre Season
The lions started off their campaign this year by emerging runners up in the All Island Sevens Competition losing only to Isipathana in the finals. Their stint continued as they played against St. Sylvester’s and Thurstan College during their pre season and recorded wins with overwhelming majority.
In to the season, the Lions successfully countered DS Senanayaka College in their first outing showcasing their net worth as scores read 61-00
Neil Footie in Office for Fourth Consecutive Year
The All Blacks Twickenham Rugby representative will continue term as head coach for the side for another successful year. Having first been introduced to Trinity in 2011, Neil Footie has become a role model in the rugby arena and has successfully coached three Trinity sides to glory.
With him on the assistance is Tavita Tulagese or famously known as ‘Laga’ this year. The former CR Head Coach will be rendering his expertise to this year’s team and with him Trinity has the Kandy Sports Club legend Sean Wijesinghe in the Assistant Coach position. Serj Khajodourin and Navindra Dayan will assist the lions in fitness
Tarinda Ratwatte to lead the Lions
Fourth year colorsman and Sri Lanka U20 national cap Tarinda Ratwatte will lead Trinity College in this ongoing School’s Rugby League. Ratwatte marks another legendary feat as he goes into the record books as a father-son duo to have captained a Trinity 1st XV outfit. Ratwatte who wore the national jersey as starting center in the Junior Asiad will be attempting to take his side towards unconquered glories at the closure of this season.
Players to Watch
Trinity compile in a balanced team yet again and with more than five players having played over two rugby seasons, they carry fourth enormous potential as well as expertise this year around.
The Big ‘Basu’
The famed burly Trinity prop-forward vice captain ‘Basu’ aka Anuradha Karunathilake will be a player to look forward to this season. Karunathilake also having represented the country in the Junior Asiad will be powering up the Trinity front line and has evolved to be a prolific player to watch.
The Samarasekaras
It’s seldom that we encounter brothers representing college in rugby and further rare to have them on either side as flankers. Senior man Umesh Samarasekara and fresher Rajith Samarasekara will be two interesting players to look upon in this Trinity lineup.
They will be supported by the services of Isuru Rangala at No8 position and the trio will be the gas pedal for the team in the offensive as well as attacking play.
Sanchana Shiek and Lochana Girihagama
Trinity boasts of a very powerful three quarter line and these two will be giving their optimum to prevent that statement being falsified. Both being fourth players and colorsmen will be the attacking players who could take those long strides as they have done so in the past seasons. Skipper Ratwatte who would playing in his new position as center will aid these two in performing their tasks.
Trinity College Kandy surprisingly has three sets of siblings playing this year, the first being the Samarasekaras, the Rangala duo and the Karunathilake brothers. It would be interesting to see how they combine themselves in the side.
Final words
The Lions who soared over their first hurdle last week at Pallekelle against DS Senanayake with a huge leap will be opting to do so in the weeks to come in this competitive rugby league. Framed as one of the favorites this year, Trinity College will go all out for gold this season. With expectations yielding high, the stalwarts from Trinity College Kandy will surely be a dominant force in this Singer Schools Rugby format.
Trinity College Squad
Props
Anuradha Karunathilake/ Nethmal Sakalasooriya/ Sanka Athulgama/ Nathan Ching/ Shalindra Alahakoon/ Buddhika Dodantenne
Locks
Pasindu Hemal/Suren Karunatileke/Rahul Karunathilake/Emesh Rangala/Chamod Dissanayaka
Flanks
Naweed Seneviratna/Umesh Samarasekara/Rajith Samarasekara/Dushan Perera/
No8
Nipun Alahakoon/Isuru Rangala/Gazali Ismail
Half backs
Sanushka Abeywickrema/ Nagitha Ridimaliyadde
Fly Half
Thushila Perera
Centers
Tarinda Ratwatte/Shehan Elory/Ryan Weerakoon
Wings
Lochana Girihagama/DInuk Ratwatte/Rukshan Sasmin/Traveen Weerasooriya
Fullback
Sanchana Shiek/Nishan Anthony Hadunge
ThePapare.com wishes them Good luck!
