Bens ruggerites determined to impress

Thushan JAYASURIYA

St.Benedict's College, with a fresher laden side, is hoping to fight hard and make an impression in the Singer Schools Rugby League Championship this year. Having

suffered several defeats, they need to win more matches this season in order to stay in the Schools Rugby scene.

Last season they rallied well to oust St.Aloysius (22 -06), Lalith Athulathmudali MV (55-10), Piliyandala Central (18- 15), Gampaha Bandaranayake (58 – 05) and Carey (15 -10). They lost to Nalanda (5 – 8) and Maliyadeva Kurunegala (7 – 13).

In addition, the Benedictines secured the trophy for two consecutive years in their traditional rugby encounter against St.Anne's College Kurunegala played for the Bro. Alexender Cyrilus Memorial shield.

The team is led by Andrew Lawrence, a third year player. And the vice captain is Nilushan Rajakaruna.

Bens won against S.Thomas’ College (5 -3), lost to Zahira College (49 – 13) and Ananda (74 – 03).

The duo Nuwan Fernando and Roshitha Hettiarachchi will play as props while Shehan Perera is the hooker. Players who could fit in as Locks are Alan Johns and J.J.C. Desmond.

Andrew Lawrence (Captain)

Nilushan Rajakaruna (Vice Captain)

The flankers are Akalanka Perera and Sonal Jayathillake. The gallant John Baptist and Andrew Lawrence (captain) will play number eight.

Malitha Deshan and Dilushan Weerapperuma, two dangerous players who could pose threats to their rivals will contest the scrum halves berths.

Prathapa Jayasundara will play scrum half.

The trio which eying centres are Nimesh Malaka, Nilushan Rajakaruna and Manoj Priyankara.

K.A.Nissanka and Abishek Ravindu Perera will play as wingers. The battle-hardened Urek Fernando will be the full back.

The coach is Mahinda Jayawardena who says that most of the players are new and with proper training would turn the side to a formidable outfit.

And he is doing his best to help raise the standard of Benedictine rugby.

Assisting Jayawardena are Rohan Gunarathne and Tony Wimalasuriya, two former Sri Lanka players.

Gunarathne was the first Ben to captain a Sri Lanka rugby team.

*The St.Benedict's U-19 Rugby Squad
*Prop Forwards : Nuwan Fernando, Roshitha Hettiarachchi
*Hooker : Shehan Perera

*Lock Forwards : Alan Johns, J.J.C.Desmond
*Flankers : Akalanka Perera, Sonal Jayawardena
*No 8 : John Baptist, Andrew Lawrence (Captain)
*Scrum-Half : Malitha Deshan, Dilushan Weerapperuma
*Fly-Half : Prathapa Jayasundara

*Centres : Nimesh Malaka, Nilushan Rajakaruna (Vice Captain), Manoj Priyankara,Damith Soyza, Derran Vonhagt

*Wingers : K.A.Nissanka, Abishek Ravindu Perera
*Full Back :Urek Fernando
*Coach : Mahinda Jayawardena
*Assistant Coach : Manoj Prince and Tony Wimalasuriya
*Master-In-Charge : N.L.Weththewa

*Remaining Fixtures

*May 17 : Vs St.Anne's Kurunegala at Kotahena
*May 24 : Vs Royal Panadura at Kotahena
*May 31 : Vs Prince of Wales at Kotahena
*June 7 : Vs Pannipitiya Dharmapala at Kotahena
*June 14 : Vs Maliyadeva at Kotahena
*June 21 : Vs St.John's at Colombo.