Isipatana looking for the crown

Thushan JAYASURIYA

Isipatana College, which has been in the forefront of schools rugby for over three decades are packed with talented players and will be striving to clinch the Singer League Rugby championship this year.

Kumendra Dharmadasa (Captain)

Shenal Dias (Vice Captain)

Though they were beaten by Royal College (10-11) last year, they were able to emerge runners-up of the league by winning the other matches.

This year the side will be led by Kumendra Dharmadasa, an experienced player of the team.

The squad comprises of four coloursmen and eight senior players.

Ganuka Dissanayake will play as the prop forward of the team while Ashan Darling, Ushan Charuka and Sudheera Karunaratne will fight for other prop forward’ s berths. Manaka Siriwardena will battle it out for the hooker’s position.

The impressive Ganidu Lakshan is assured of one lock forward's position.

The players who are trying to gain a place as lock forwards are Malith Ranga and Heshan Maldeniya.

Skipper Kumendra Dharmadasa will play in his pet position of flanker.

The others who could fit in as flankers are Senal Deelaka and Hastha Udyoga.

Seasoned player Arun Kumar will play as the Number eight. He has made a great contribution to the team on past matches.

The experienced Kavindu Costa, is the first choice for the scrum half berth.

The other player who is eyeing this position is Sudam Parinda.

The regular fly half will be Hirantha Perera with Dilshan Viduranga making a strong bid to oust him.

The quartet who are fighting for the centre berths are Shyamal Chathuranga, Pabasara Madhawa, Ashan Kovinda and Kushan Indunil.

Shenal Dias will once again play as a winger. The duo who are battling for the other position are Isanga Panchama and Uditha Tharanatha.

The experienced Sithum Chathusanka will once again occupy the last line of defence.

Last year the Pathanas beat Dharmaraja Kandy (37-15), St.Peter’s (42-29), Trinity (23-18), Science (23-17), S.Thomas’ (77-06) and Kingswood (10-05). They became the runners-up of the last season after beatene by Royal ( 11-10) by a single point. The coach of the team, Shamly Nawaz says that their prime intention is to win all the remaining matches for this season and win the league title this time.

Despite suffering the setback of being held to 19 all draw by Vidyartha. He also mentioned that he hopes to build up the side with new young players.

Their remaining fixtures are April 28 against St.Joseph’s at Air Force Grounds Ratmalana, May 12 against Kingswood at CR and FC, May 18 against Trinity at CR and FC, May 25 against D.S.S.C., June 01 against Science College at CR and FC, June 08 against St.Anthony’s Kandy at CR and FC, June 16 against St.Peter’s at CR and FC, June 22 against Royal at CR and FC, June 30 against Thurstan at CR and FC . The players are getting the maximum support from the Principal A.C.Perera and The Prefect Of Games cum Master In Charge Gamini Sarathchandra.

The Isipatana Under 19 Rugby Squad

Captain: Kumendra Dharmadasa

Vice Captain : Shenal Dias

Prop Forwards : Sudheera Karunaratne, Danuka Dissanayake, Ashan Darling, Ushan Charuka.

Hookers : Manaka Siriwardena

Lock Forwards : Ganidu Lakshan, Malith Ranga, Heshan Maldeniya.

Flankers : Kumendra Dharmadasa, Senal Deelaka, Hastha Udyoga

No 8 : Arun Kumar

Scrum Half : Kavindu Costa, Sudam Parinda

Fly Half : Hirantha Costa, Dilshan Viduranga

Centres : Shamal Chathuranga, Pabasara Madhawa, Ashan Kovinda, Kushan Indunil

Wingers: Shenal Dias, Isanga Panchama, Uditha Tharanatha.

Full Back : Sithum Chathuranga.

Coach : Shamley Nawaz
Assistant Coach : Bandula Mallikaarachchi
Physical Trainer : H.Karunaratne