Police in search of past glory

Thushan JAYASURIYA

Captain - Romesh Archarige

Jeevan Amaradasa

D.P.C.Thushara

T.D.Seneviratne

The Sri Lanks Police Rugby Team is ready to outsmart their counterparts in the Inaugural Dialog League Rugby Tournament with a steady side.The team hopes to regain their past glory this season Sri Lanka Police reigned supreme in the club rugby in the late 1970’s and 1980’s during which period they won the ‘A’ division league title in 1979 - 1980 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989 and 1991.

The Sri Lanka Police rugby team

They also had the honour of clinching the rugby triple in 1985 under Sunil Sahabandu and 1989 led by Hafeel Marso they also bagged the rugby double in 1987 under Muruga Jayaratne and 1991 led by Hemantha Yatawara but due to an exodus of their players to other clubs and some players hanging up their boots their rugby standard declined from 1994 and they could not maintain the same standard.

In 2002, there was a rugby revival where they scored several victories over leading clubs and also entered the premier champions trophy final before losing to CR and FC by 17 – 26. During this period the Police also produced several players who represented Sri Lanka with distinction such as Charles Wijewardena, H.Premasiri, Nimal Lewke, Ajantha Samarakoon, Rohan Gunaratne, Palitha Siriwardena, Muruga Jayaratne, Hemantha Yatawara, Nizam Jamaldeen, Norman Silva, Hafeel Marso, H. Nazeeb, Sudath Sampath, Niranjan Abeywardena, Damith Jayawardena, Leslie De Silva and W. T. Tillakaratne.

Last year they had the honour of beating leading clubs such as CR and FC, CH and FC, Army and Havelocks and ended up as plate championsof the Caltex ‘A’ division league .

This time they missed two chances for their success when they defeated in the hands of Havelocks Sports Club ( 33 – 10 ) and Navy Sports Club ( 31 – 17).

The team is led by Sri Lanka ruggerite and lock forward Romesh Archarige has been entrusted with the caiptaincy of the Police men this season.

He is a fine line out jumper and tireless player in the loose. He will play in his pet position of lock forward and with either Dinesh Kumar or Singith Sandaruwan. Sri Lanka Ruggerites Nalin Welagedara and Charaka Hewawasam will bind down in the front row but face a strong challenge from T. Sivanandan and Manoj Silva. Mohomad Akmal is the first choice for the Hooker’s berth.

The others who are in this position are L.R.M. Gamage and Udaya Kumar. Last year skipper and resolute tackler T.D. Senaviratne is assured of one flanker berth while the duo battling for the other Flanker berth are the experienced U. B. Gonawala and former skipper Chammika Thushara.Englishman Josh Goldspink will field the Number Eight berth.

The duo battling for the Scrum Half berth are former Isipatanian Mohamed Rizwan and the experienced Milinda Bandara. Australian Sam Aolele will occupy the pivotal Fly Half position and he is also the place kicker of the team.The trio fighting it out for the Centre berth’s are Lahiru Gurusinghe, Viraj Dewasurendra and Ashan Indika.

Former Nalandian Jeevan Amaradasa who has been turning out for the Police for the last five years is assured of one winger’s berth while the other position will be filled by either Shanaka Kumara, Amila Maduranga or Nandika Ranathunga.

The last line of defence will be manned by either young former Cambrian Hashan Gomes or the seasoned Ranjith Kumara.

Lalith Leelaratne who captained the Police in 2001, is once again coaching the Police men and he is determined to mould them into a formidable out fit this season.

He is being assisted by Former Sri Lanka sevems skipper and Scrum Half Sudath Sampath.

The Police men get all the encouragement and support from Senior DIG Asoka Wijethilake Chairman Police Rugby, SSP Hafeel.

Marso Secretary of Police Rugby. The Police rugby is being sponsored by Entrust Ltd.

The Sri Lanka Police Rugby Squad Prop Forwards : Nalin Welagedara, T.Sivanandan, Manoj Silva, Chanaka Hewawasam Hookers : Mohamed Akmal, L.R.M.Gamage, Udaya Kumar Lock Forwards : Dinesh Kumar, Romesh Archarige(Captain), Singith Sandaruwan Flankers : U.B.Gonawala, T.D.Seneviratne, Chammika Thushara Number Eight : Josh Goldspink Scrum-Half : Mohamed Rizwan, Milinda Bandara Fly-Half : Sam Aolele, Saliya Jayasundara Centres : Lahiru Gurusinghe, Viraj Dewasurendra, Ashan Indika Wingers : Shanaka Kumara, Jeevan Amaradasa, Nandika Ranathunga, Amila Maduranga Fullbacks : Hashan Gomes Coach : Lalith Leelaratne Assistant Coach : Sudath Sampath Physical Trainer : Ranjana Tharanga Coming Fixtures June 24 : v Kandy SC at Nittawela June 30 : v Upcountry Lions at Nawalapitiya July 06 : v CR and FC at Longden Place July 15 : v CH and FC at Police Park July 27 : v Army SC at Police Park August 03 : v Air Force SC at Police Park Pictures by Sulochana Gamage.

Police rugby team at practice Police ruggerites working the ploys