Wesley out to clinch Singer ‘B’ division rugby title

Thushan JAYASURIYA

Wesley College, hopes to fight hard to clinch the Singer League ‘B’ division rugby trophy and President's trophy knockout tournament. But in order to achieve the target they have to perform well in the ‘B’ division league. This time the team is studded with dynamic and talented players and they might be able to achieve resounding success.

This time this formidable pack consists of several coloursmen including Sri Lanka youth player Kokila Sammandapperuma, Rahul de Silva, Afham Aaqil, Viraj Nisansala, Gavin Siegertz, Vishwa Steinwall, Mohomed Yoonus, Ahamed Hussain and Mirhaj Mohotor.

Last year they were able to beat S Thomas’, Mount Lavinia (18-12) and Thurstan (25-12), while the match against St Joseph's College ended in a 13-all draw.

This season they started their journey of success with three victories in the Singer Rugby League tournament by beating Nalanda (42-0), St Sylvester's, Kandy(51-7) and Mahanama (45-7).

The team is led by Kokila Sammandapperuma and the vice captain is Rahul de Silva.

Udara Gayan is the first choice among the prop forwards. The others who are likely to play as the prop forwards are Ahamed Hussain, Chinthaka Jayasinghe and Lasitha Randika. The hooker's berth will be filled by either Vishwa Steinwall, Thisara Maduwantha or Fazlan Faiz. The players who could fit in as lock forward are Yoonus Mohomed, Gavin Siegertz and Shezad Hamidon. The flankers of the team are Sithum Devsith, Pathum Dileepa or Tihan Samadhani.

The captain Kokila Sammandapperuma will play in his pet position as number eight. The experienced trio Rahula de Silva, Samaka Maduwantha and Tharindu Asela will contest for the scrum halves berth. Ishara Madushan and Joel Thilakaratne will vie for the fly halves position. The guys who are eyeing the centre berths are Mirhaj Mohotar, Prageeth Shamilka and Yohan Seth. The battle hardened Viraj Nisansala, Sohail Dimithri and Usman Thahar will fight it out for the wingers position while Aaqil Afham and Lahiru Prasad will battle it out for the full back's berth.

Kokila Sammandapperuma (Captain)

Rahul de Silva (vice captain)

This year the team is coached by former Thomian skipper and Sri Lanka youth team skipper Jeevan Gunathilake. He is being assisted by Amal Pathirana, the team is in good position and their prime intention is to clinch ‘B’ division championship and the presidential trophy.

The team had to undergo several defeats last year and got demoted to Group ‘B’ due to the lack of well performing players due to their injuries. Anyhow, this time, Wesleyites should fare much better and score several victories.

Wesley College, which started rugby in the 1950s have produced several national players of the calibre of Reginold Bertholomeusz, Cavern Gauder, Iqbal Musafer, Zubair Doray, Ransiri Sahabandu, Kishan Musafer, Niroshan Karunanayake, Niranjan Wickramaratne, Samantha Lakshan, Zaffer Jihan and Henry Terrance. During the last decades, Wesley rugby reached great heights where they brought off stunning victories over reputed schools such as Trinity, Royal, St Peter's and Isipatana and emerged as a force to be recognized.

The Wesley College under 19 rugby squad:

Prop forwards: Udaray Gayan, Ahamed Hussian, Chinthaka Jayasinghe, Lasitha Randika.

Hookers: Vishwa Steinwall, Thisara Maduwantha, Fazlan Faiz.

Lock forwards: Yoonus Mohomed, Gavin Siegertz, Shezad Hamidon.

Flankers: Sithum Devsith, Pathum Dileepa, Tihan Samadani.

No. 8: Kokila Sammandapperuma (captain).

Scrum halfs: Rahul de Silva (vice captain), Samaka Madushanka, Tharindu Asela.

Fly half: Ishara Madushan, Joel Thilakaratne.

Centres: Mirhaj Mohotar, Prageeth Shamilka, Yohan Seth.

Wingers: Viraj Nisanala, Sohail Dimithri, Usman Thahar.

Full backs: Aaqil Afham, Lahiru Prasad.

Coach: Jeewan Gunathilake.

Assistant coach and gym trainer: Dennis Amal Pathirana.

Physical training instructor: George Illangaratne.

MIC: J A Wimal Bandara.

Remaining fixtures:

May 18 : vs Thurstan at Ratmalana
May 24 : vs Carey at Ratmalana
June 1 : vs Lumbini at Ratmalana
June 7 : vs C W W Kannangara at Ratmalana
June 16 : vs S Thomas’ at Mount Lavinia
June 22 : vs Dharmaraja at Kandy