Let’s take a closer look at the Wesley College Rugby team competing in the Dialog Schools Rugby League 2024.
History
Wesley College has a long history when it comes to Schools Rugby in Sri Lanka. Their beginnings go way back to 1956 and they have produced some notable names to the national setup, but unfortunately the big prize of winning the league has eluded them so far. They came very close to being crowned as the champions twice in 1997 and 2003/04, but had to settle with the runners-up tag. In 2019 they ended up clinching the 4th place of the league, while just two years ago the Double Blues qualified for the Super Round and once again ended the season as the 04th ranked team.
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Current Outfit
The Wesley College outfit this year consists of 9 players from last year. 5 of them are forwards, while the remaining 4 belong to the backs. Their squad of 39 players this season are on the hunt to become the first ever Double Blues side to clinch the league title. Along with the 9 players from last year, they have a good mixture of players who will play next year, as well as the freshers who would want to leave a mark this season with commendable performances.
Players to watch out for
Flanker Shem Mendisn who is a 3rd year player, has been given the responsibility to lead Wesley College this year, and his main objective will be to rewrite history books and make his name the first ever league title-winning Captain of his alma mater. As a top-notch flanker in the circuit, he has a huge job to lead the forwards by example and win the close moments of a game, as that is what they failed to do last year. If he can inspire the forwards and rest of the team to be more disciplined during the game, a Super Round berth and going even beyond may not be an issue for the boys from Wesley College.
The Vice Captain for Wesley College, Dillon de Silva, will play as a Center Three Quarter, and he will be one of the main backline players for the team this season. Last year de Silva had a below par season, and coming into his 3rd and final year representing his school, he would want this year to be one to remember where he gets to accumulate a lot of 5 pointers.
The 18-year-old Abdul Haadhi, who ended the season last year as the 2nd highest points scorer for Wesley with 23 points, would want to better that and be one of the highest of the whole league. His main position this year will be playing as the Full-back, but he also has the capability to be the chief playmaker, donning the number 10 jersey as the Fly-Half. How Haadhi rises to the occasion with his kicking and running abilities will play a huge part on where the Double Blues end this season of Dialog Schools Rugby League 2024.
Coaches
Former Wesleyite and Sri Lankan National Tusker Henry Terence will be the Head Coach of Wesley College this year, whilst another National capped player Amjad Buksh will be the Backs Coach. Thilina Weerasinghe, who is a household name in Sri Lanka Club Rugby, is their Kicking Coach, and the responsibility of improving the skills of their forwards has been given to double international in Rugby and Hockey – Randeera de Silva. The highly experienced Tharanga Galapitawatta is the Physiotherapist for the season.
Expectations for the Season
A return to the Top 4 after missing out last year will be the key objective for Wesley College. Although a first ever league title winning year may be in the back of their minds, first they will have to go through very tough encounters against the league champions from last year, St. Peter’s College, and the runners-up Royal College, in the group stage. The Double Blues will play a majority of their games in Colombo, with the only the game against Vidyartha College taking place in Kandy.
Full Squad
Forwards – Shem Mendis (Captain), Sandul Gammanpila, Mahathir Raban, Sanruk Gamage, Shamry Fayeek, Jazeel Zuhuri, Hashim Thabeeth, Keshara Rahul, Nelith Hapugalle, Pawan Thiranagama, Ashen Neshka, Senuth Dilnadha, Naham Hemachandra, Hivin Uthmika, Hamdaan Safraz, Naheel Jayah, Tharush Adhitya, Manuga Jayaweera, Yoosuf Rushan, Tahir Bazeer, Nethan Diyon
Backs – Dillon de Silva (Vice Captain), Abdul Haadhi, Senura Nisal, Suhaib Nizam, Adeesha Witharana, Parthana Sanjana, Kaveesha Dilhara, Matheesha Silva, Adeeb Yooseph, Kaizer Lye, Mohommad Fawaz, Mahdev Menthushan, Shehab Hisham, Shifan Inthikab, Dinaru Dahamyuth, Ajmal Raheem, Jaward Marjan, Ahyan Johar
Fixtures
- Vs Zahira College – 15th June at Zahira Grounds
- Vs Thurstan College – 22nd June at Air Force Grounds
- Vs St. Peter’s College – 29th June at St. Peter’s Grounds
- Vs St. Joseph’s College – 06th July at Havelock Park
- Vs Royal College – 12th July at Havelock Park
- Vs Kingswood College – 20th July (Venue most likely Campbell Park)
- Vs Vidyartha College – 28th July at Nittawela Stadium
For all the latest updates on Dialog Schools Rugby League 2024, keep in touch with Sri Lanka’s Number 1 Sports Hub www.thepapare.com
