S.Thomas’ College has been a side that has overwhelmingly underperformed throughout the last decade, but a change in fortunes late last season and a championship triumph at the beginning of this season, has injected hope and belief to the squad.
Prelude
S.Thomas’ College rugby’s glory days are a distant memory; the rampant Thomians of the late 80’s and 90’s are fondly recalled as none since then, apart from the sides of 2009 and 2013, have come close to replicating ‘those days’ for the School by the Sea.
The side from 2009, which had stars in Anuruddha Wilwara, Sudarshana Muthuthanthri, Shaveen Kapuwatte and Arjun ‘Baiya’ Manoharan, lost only their opener (by a couple of points) to arch rivals Royal College in a nail-bitter. They went onto become league runners-up and Milo President’s Trophy Champions, in another thriller against Isipathana College.
The sides in the past decade have failed to live up to the reputation, so much so that they were demoted from the elite bunch after a horrendous 2011 season, which had just one win.
2013 side led by Devin Jayasinghe ended the humiliating three years in division 2, to earn promotion to division 1, unbeaten, while uniting the Canon R.S. De Saram Shield (after 4 years), the Lady Jayathilaka Shield and the Michael Gunarathne Trophy (after seven years).
The Blue and Black can only ponder what the Jayasinghe led 2013 side, could have done, had they been in division 1.
Aside from the gritty wins that came once in a blue moon, they are not one of the feared sides that they once were. Even the dominance of Mount Lavinia are not theirs, but with neighbours Science College. The Thomians have never beaten Science College since Science got promoted in 2011.
Last season
S.Thomas’ after another miserable start to last season were able to change fortunes late in the season defeating St.Peter’s College and Kingswood College to avoid the wooden spoon while narrowly losing out to St.Joseph’s College.
Sevens Crown
You rejoice in surprise, eyes turn your way, when you win something you are not known for. The Thomians, better known for their 15’s game, did exactly that when they won the U20 All-Island Schools Sevens Championship at the start of the 2016 season, defeating favourites Isipathana College.
This was after 22 years; in 1995, where Isipathana College was again at the receiving end. The Thomians this time around were captained by Naveen Henakankanamge, who also led the side to the final in the U18 tournament last year.
Stunned, would be an understatement to describe the state of the spectators, myself included (who was commentating), who witnessed at the Royal College Sports complex and the ones who heard the news there after. This was no fluke as the defense as much as their offense won them the final against Isipathana, who have come to the final in the last three years.
The Thomians showed resilience as they came from 12-00 down at halftime to win 12-14 against St.Peter’s College in the quarter final and stream-rolled past Kingswood in the semifinal.
The lads from Mount Lavinia showed resilience, cohesiveness in the tournament and more importantly, big game mentality in the final, if not for it, they would have withered against Isipathana College in front of a packed crowd.
“Anytime you take the field, you want to compete. We were in it to win,” Laga added.
“Sevens win was enormous and a huge push for the lads. Now there is the belief and energy in the camp,” he mentioned about the importance of the win for the squad.
“Playing is one thing, winning is one thing and losing is another thing. When you are playing and losing it is a bit of a problem. So the biggest thing for them is getting the confidence, and you can only do that by winning a few matches. In that regard we have done a lot of work off the field as well and the core skills,” Laga elaborated about what has been hugely lacking for the squad.
Having said that he was quick to remark,
“You can’t get over confident about these things. We haven’t played a competition match in the 15 a side. Sevens is a totally different game. We are keeping our feet firmly on the ground and look to slowly build,” keeping the squad on track.
The 2016 squad
“We had to start from square one. Dinesh (Dinesh Kumar) has done a lot work with the boys as the trainer and now as an assistant coach capacity. Happy with where we are,” Laga who had a hefty task at the start of the season added.
Led by 4th year player Pandula De Silva, the Thomian squad is littered with experience, having no less than 10 players, who have represented the College 1stXV for the last three years.
“It was tough in the first few weeks but the boys have adapted and are willing to learn and express themselves. I’m impressed with Pandu (Pandula) who has done some good things with the squad on and off the field as the seniors have responded well,” Laga mentioned about the impact of the seniors.
The Thomians, though looking formidable have a few chinks in their armour, which Laga and Dinesh have been able to rectify.
“We don’t want to walk away from our forwards play where S.Thomas’ is known for but we will express along with the backs and especially with the forwards to get them around the park,” Laga talked about a more mobile pack for the season.
The Thomian Pack will be a force to reckon with this season. The likes of Pandula De Silva, his vice-captain Raminda Deshapriya, Wayne Mack, Wijerathne and the returning Sachitha Jayathilaka; smarting from the RoyTho loss with a point to prove, will be formidable and will have a Pack weight that will rival Gavin Jayasekara’s 8.
“Our set pieces are strong, whether it is line-outs or scrums. When it comes to scrums, I don’t think any team can push us back,” a gleaming Laga quipped.
“Where we were 16 weeks ago and now we have come a long way,” Laga, who has been tasked with the arduous task of bringing S.Thomas’ back into contention, finally added.
Players to watch
A player who dazzled many a defense in the Sevens tournament and who is in excellent form is the speedster Naveen Henakankanamge. He was one of the highest try scorers for S.Thomas’ last season with four. Give him little space and it is all that he needs to punish opponents.
Danuja Wijerathne is a player that turned heads with his game changing performance since coming on as a substitute in the 7’s final. His bone crunching tackles, strength, power, offloads and side steps combines to make him a lethal flanker for the Thomians.
“He has immense skill and can step off the left foot, which not many can do. However he is a bit lazy. If he can sort that out he can do much more,” Laga said about his potential star for the season.
At centre, Ashwantha Herath is a key figure in the Thomian attack and defense. He has shown what he can do with his pace and strength in the last couple of seasons. Having been their highest points scorer last season with 38 (2T 8C 4P) Herath, is a player who can inspire a team.
Playing at full back, Mayon Jayawardena has the kick, the step, the skill to wiggle out of tight situations and his ability to join the line, in attack will be devastating, alongside Herath and Henakankanamge.
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