Rajans rugby has reached great heights

S M Jiffrey Abdeen - Kandy Sports Correspondent

Dharmaraja College, Kandy ruggerites entered their name into the record books of their school when they became the first Rajans team to head the table of points at top division rugby after their smashing 48-26 win over St Anthony's College at the Bogambara Stadium on Sunday.

The Rajans no doubt are riding the crest of a wave. They started off their season in a stunning fashion after they were held to a 34 all draw by Trinity College in their den at Pallekele. The Rajans were denied victory when Trinity's replacement winger Luckwin Gunasekera with a burst of speed ran along the blind side to score a corner flag try. This last minute try equalised the scores and the lions escaped an embarrassing defeat.

Next match against Isipathana College sow the Rajans post a glorious 38-8 win which made the rugby fans sit nd take a serious look at the Rajans rugby outfit. The way they dashed the daylight out of Isipathana College. Perhaps their maiden win over the Havelock Park school made a clear indication that they are a team to watch.

But when it came to table of points at this stage it was the Peterites who were on top followed by Trinity and Dharmaraja.

By the fourth week of the tournament the Trinitians displaced the Peterites from the top of the table by scoring an emphatic 35-25 win over the Bambalapitiya school.

The Rajans were second in the table. Both Trinity who began their race together had a bitter struggle between them for honours at the table of points. In terms of wins they were equal but on bonus poitns the Trinitians were ahead.

They began the race together and the Trinitian managed to keep the lead via bonus points and in a season full of upsets, it was very clear that anything could happen as the table leaders did not have a clear lead.

The Rajans scored further win over Kingswood College, St Peter's College, Wesley College and they had a narrow escape over Science College which they won by a margin of two points.

A feature of Rajans performance is that they go for the kill from the word go often it has been noticed by Midway first half they would have established a commanding lead and thus making it difficult for their opponents to stage a come back.

One player who has been outstanding is their effervescent full back Tilina Wijesinghe who combines both rugby and soccer to bemuse the opponents. He is a junior national soccerite. His place kicking from any angle is dead accurate and often executes the drop goal from varying angles. On desperate occasions he hacks the ball and being fleet footed races ahead to draw the opponents from his teams territory.

Another bonus factor has been his ability to join the three quarters to form the overlap ending in tries or giving the three quarters additional thrust. His contribution for his team by way of points must be nearing the century mark and he must be having a huge lead over his closest rival.

Another player who had excelled is their Skipper and fly half Rochana Hettiarachchi who not only kicks judiciously and also feeds the three quarters well. His 55 metre drop goal in one of the matches will be log remembered.

Rajans it must be recalled had a dismal season and they were even demoted to the next division after the 2011 season. But they rose up like the mythical "Phoenix from the Ashes" to win the Division One segment B title in style.

All this has made much stronger and determined at present they are best placed to have a crack at title. They have two more matches to play before the trophy is decided.