Sri Lanka Youth players for clubs

Ranjeeva SEENEVIRATNE

Several outstanding ruggerites who represented the Sri Lanka under 19 team at the Youth Rugby Asiad in Bangkok, Thailand in October this year will turn out for clubs in the 2011 rugby season.

Skipper of the youth rugby team Peterite Shenal Dias along with Rajith Sansoni, Prabath Jayalath, Chethiya Wadugodapitiya and U Jayasuriya (all four from Kingswood) and St Peter's flanker Asitha Ratnayake have joined the Air Force. The Airmen are likely to obtain the services of Royal and Sri Lanka Under 19 centre Mushin Faleel.

The Airmen who finished fourth in the Caltex 'A' Division League and went down fighting to mighty Kandy SC by 24-27 in the Clifford Cup semi-final are bound to enjoy a fine season next year.

The Sri Lanka Navy which too had an excellent season this year by finishing third in the Caltex 'A' Division League and ending as runners-up to Kandy SC in the Clifford Cup have obtained the services of four top youth players - Wesley's Azmil Omar, Royalist Chaminda Dabare and Trinitians Mohamed Nasmy and Shannon Armstrong. With CH and FC prop forward Sathya Ranatunge and Kandy SC's Eranga Swarnatilleke too joining the Navy the sailors should be a strong contender for the 'A' Division League Title. Runners-up of the Caltex 'A' Division League for the last seven years CR and FC will have the services of two Sri Lanka youth players - Steve Nelson (St Peter's) and hooker Anjula de Silva (S Thomas').

Royal flanker Chilanka Samaraweera who was a stand-by for the Sri Lanka under 19 team too has joined the Longdon Place Club who will field another strong team this year. Kandy Sports Club which has reigned supreme in club rugby winning the Caltex 'A' Division League for the 10th successive year and the Clifford Cup for four years in a row will be strengthened by the inclusion of Peterite skipper and No. 8 Keith Gurusinghe.

Havelocks Sports Club have been able to obtain the services of Thomian and Sri Lanka Under 19 flanker Shehan Mututhantri.