Newly promoted Nalanda aiming high

Thushan JAYASURIYA

Nalanda College, last season’s ‘C’ division champions, aiming for a better show this season with their balanced line up of players. They should achieve more victories to get promoted to play in the ‘A’ Division.

Nalanda College lads were the unbeaten champions of ‘C’ division last year and they were the runner-up at the Jonah Jonas International Rugby Tournament and the Singer Sevens bowl championship runner up. Apart from that they were the bowl champions of the Zahira Rugby sevens.

Recently they beat St.Sylvester’s College Kandy 24–19 at the Singer League Rugby Tournament match played at Air Force Grounds. Apart from that, they beat Carey (19-10), St.Benedict’s (8–5), Piliyandala Central (24–7), Bandaranayake Gampaha (45–5), Maliyadeva Kurunegala (5–0) and St.Aloysius Galle (42-0).

This year, the Nalandians possess a dynamic side which includes a few senior players, Bodhaka Jeewantha, Imantha Veroshana, Thanura Gewin, Chathura Randitha and Sanduneth Weerasinghe.

The squad is led by experienced player Chamuka Nalinda who plays his pet position of fly half and pair off with scrum half Kasun Jayanath.

Pasindu Manishan, Thimira Randisha, Madhawa Viduranga and Thanura Gewin will also support the side as props while Chalana Deshan will occupy the hooker’s berth. Uchitha Mendis is the first choice among the locks while Achira Senanayake and Chathura Randitha are the others who could fit in to the same position. The flankers will be Imantha Veroshana,Dulaj Tharaka, Dilan Jagodage, and Shanuka Nanayakkara. Experienced Bodaka Jeewantha will be the number eight.

The seasoned Asanka Maduranga who is the Vice Captain of the side will play as a centre. The others who are eyeing the same position are Vikum Fernando, Mandara Balasooriya and Lakshan Ravindu. Sanduneth Sithijaya is assured of one winger while those who are fighting for the wingers position are Bathiya Dilruk and Kushan Dimantha. Seasoned Dilip Shyamantha will occupy the last line of defence.

Coach Milinda Jayasinghe says that the team’s performances are in satisfactory level and the boys might be able to impress in the ‘B’ division. The lads had an opportunity to take part in a training session at Malaysia which certainly will boost their performances Nalanda has produced national players of the calibre of Manjula Damith Milinda Jayasinghe, Anuja Perera and several outstanding club players like Wimal Epaarachchi, Ajith Silva, Sahan de Silva and Jeevan Amaradasa.

Nalanda College U-19 Rugby Squad

Prop Forwards : Pasindu Manishan, Thimira Randisha, Madhawa Viduranga, Thanura Gewin

Hooker : Chalana Deshan
Lock Forwards : Uchitha Mendis, Achira Samaranayake, Chathura Randitha

Flankers : Imantha Veroshana, Dulaj Tharaka, Dilan Jagodage, Shanuka Nanayakkara

No 8 : Bodhaka Jeewantha
Scrum Half : Kasun Jayanath, Thimira Kavinga
Fly Half : Chamuka Nalinda(Captain)

Centres : Asanka Maduranga (Vice Captain), Vikum Fernando, Lakshan Ravindu,
Mandara Balasooriya

Wing Three Quarters : Sanduneth Sithijaya, Bathiya Dilruk, Kushan Dimantha

Full Back : Dilip Shyamantha
Coach : Milinda Jayasinghe
Assistant Coach : Suranga Arunashantha
M.I.C. : Nirosh Perera

[Remaining Fixtures]

May 16 : v Mahanama at CR and FC
May 23 : v Thurstan at CR and FC
May 30 : v Carey at CR and FC
June 13 : v C.W.W.Kannagara at CR and FC
June 23 : v S.Thomas’ at Mount Lavinia