Science will continue to provide the shocks this season

Chris Dhambarage

Science College, Mount Lavinia with two stunning victories already under their belt are hoping to continue with their giant killing performances in the current inter-school rugby season.

They recorded a historic 12-11 victory over the more fancied Trinity College team on their home grounds and last week they brought down the formidable Kingswood outfit 20-17 at the same venue.

This is a tremendous performance considering the fact that they had received a promotion to the top division after having emerged runners up in the Singer inter school Division Two tournament last year.

Science College have now really made their presence felt and are determined to make the maximum from the tournament matches which are lined up for the rest of the season.

They have turned out to be the most unpredictable team in the tournament and have caused plenty of anxious moments against every opposition they have faced this season so far.

Science College showed early signs of making an impact when they went down fighting 24-28 against last years Division Two champions St. Joseph's College in their opening fixture of the tournament.

But their biggest moment came in the following week when they pulled off a sensational 12-11 victory against Trinity College Kandy one of the pioneers in the field of schools rugby.

They continued with their inspiring performances this season and went down fighting 17-23 against a powerful Isipatana outfit at Mount Lavinia. In the next outing they were able to bring down Kingswood College 20-17 in an absolute thriller.

Science College have really proved that they deserve to be among the top schools in the Division One tournament having made a great impact this season despite the heavy odds against them.

Gone are the days where they were considered as just another team that participated in the tournament but now they have started playing some serious rugby having issued a warning to the rest of the opponents.

Their rise to the top division have been purely due to some hard work and commitment where they have concentrated a lot on the basics and finer points under the guidance of coach Mothilal Jayatilleke.

A vital factor in their success this season have been the fitness level of the players as they have trained hard to absorb the pressure from the opposition specially during the latter stages of the game.

This was a key area for their success in both matches against Trinity College and Kingswood College where Science College were able to keep their cool and come out victorious despite the challenge from the opposition.

In addition the newly constructed playground in Mount Lavinia have given them a tremendous boost as now they could host all their home matches without any difficulties.

They have struggled for a long period without a playground of their own and ultimately they have found hope which has also lifted their standard overall to be on par with some of the other top teams this season.

Last year Science College had a fantastic season where they came closer to winning the Singer inter school Division Two League championship while losing a solitary game to the ultimate champions St. Joseph's College.

Now they have been able to carry that form into the Division One tournament as they look to complete another memorable season with the help of eight senior and a number of talented players.

This year Science College will be captained by dynamic second row forward Nimesh Channa and number eight Malith Jayaruwan will be the vice captain. The other promising players in the team are prop forward Gayan Lasantha, second row forward Heshan Anuruddha, centre K. B. Oshan and full back Ashan Malik.

The Science College First XV rugby pool:

Prop forwards: Gayan Lasantha, Zuhail Imtiasz, Dinuka Darshana

Hooker: Thilina Sandaruwan, Thilina Thilanka

Second row forwards: Heshan Anuruddha, Nimesh Channa (captain)

Flankers: Kanchana Lakshitha, Sharindu Iroshana, Purna Udayanga

Number eight: Malith Jayaruwan (vice captain)

Scrum half: Richard Dharmapala

Fly half: Richie Dananjaya, Chatura Gomes

Centre three quarters: K. B. Oshan, Andrew Bradley, Prince Chamara

Wing three quarters: Thusitha Gomes, Hashan Maduranga, Swarna Hansa

Full back: Ashan Malik, Kavindu Lochana

Coach: Mothilal Jayatilleke

Assistant coach: Amila Sandaruwan

Physiotherapist: Ferdie Fernando, A. Dharmasiri