Lumbini - a force to be reckoned with
Chris DHAMBARAGE
Lumbini College with eight senior players in their ranks are
determined to make the maximum from the opportunities and to remain as a
major force in the current inter school rugby season.
They have now reached the last stages of the Singer Under 20 Division
Two league tournament where they were able to register four impressive
victories against some of the more fancied opponents.
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Kaushal Manuppriya (captain) |
This is a tremendous effort considering the fact that they have been
struggling and going through a number of difficulties and obstacles for
many years.
Their biggest setback is of course the non availability of a
playground of their own to carry out their daily training sessions. This
has been a burning issue for Lumbini College for several years as they
look towards alternative venues for their daily practice sessions and
other activities. As a result they are forced to find shelter at the
neighbouring Cooray Park for their basic training schedules.
However despite the many challenges they are up against they have not
given up and are even more determined to make an impact in the current
season with their limited resources and talent.
The encouragement and the inspiration from the school Principal,
Oldboys and other well wishers have certainly provided the team with a
tremendous boost as they look towards improving their performances every
year.
In fact they have been struggling to get into the Singer Division One
tournament for more than a decade but every time they have faltered due
to lack of preparations and lack of confidence.
This year Lumbini College got off to a promising start with two huge
victories against St. John’s College Nugegoda (73 nil) and St. Anne’s
College Kurunegala (76 nil) respectively.
They consolidated their position and went on to beat Mahanama College
(22-19) and Ananda College (25-12) before forcing a thrilling 13 all
draw against C. W.W. Kannangara MV Borella.
However Lumbini MV failed to maintain the same momentum during the
latter stages of the season and suffered two defeats at the hands of St.
Sylvester’s College Kandy and D. S. Senanayake College.
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The Lumbini College First XV rugby squad. Pictures by Mahinda
Vithanachchi |
In addition they had the credit of pushing the table leaders
Vidyartha College Kandy to the maximum before going down fighting 31-35
in another exciting encounter played in Colombo.
Lumbini College are currently placed fifth in the Singer inter school
Division Two league tournament and are looking forward towards
completing the season on a victorious note when they take on Prince of
Wales College
Moratuwa and Zahira College in their last two outings.
Lumbini College have also produced some outstanding ruggerites who
have represented the country and who are currently representing some top
clubs in the ongoing Caltex inter club ‘A’ division league tournament.
Among them are former Police SC centre three quarter Saman Kotelawala,
flanker Niranjan Abeywardena, Lalith Leelaratne (present coach of Police
team), former Havelocks SC winger Nishantha Chanaka, Lalendra Rodrigo
and former Army SC captain Priyantha Rajapaksa.
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Lumbini College First XV Rugby Pool
for 2011 season:
Prop forwards: Pathum Mihiran, Heshan
Madushanka, Chamod Rukshan
Hooker: Malinda Dilshan, Vishmitha
Prabashwara
Second row forwards: Amila Sandaruwan,
Kasun Lakshan
Flankers: Harsha Sachinthaka, Viraj Tharanga,
Madumal Kodituwakku
Number eight: Mahesh Madushanka,
Mahendra Kamal
Scrum half: Hashan Ravindu, Roshan Milroy
Fly half: Kaushal Manuppriya (captain)
Centres: K. D. Dananjaya, Lahiru Madushan,
S. Chaturanga
Wingers: Viraj Nanayakkara, Dasun
Wanigaratne, Dileepa Dias
Full back: Gayan Haritha
Coach: Priyantha Kumara
Master in Charge: Sugath Sanjeewa
Teacher in Charge: P. A. Subhani
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