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Winning
is serious business for Kandy It would have
been nice from a spectator point of view had it all gone down to
the wire. But it was not to be. It is customary
to begin by talking about the players. But, in this case, a small
group of officials have to be given their due. Winning trophy after
trophy does not come about solely as a result of on-field play.
The system has got to be right and Kandy SC's think tank and hierarchy
comprising Dr. Sarath Kapuwatte (President), Priyantha Ekanayake,
Izwan Omar and the seemingly omni-present Malik Samarawickrema have
earned the kudos of rugby fans. According to
the President discipline was strictly imposed and this was a vital
factor in their success. Kandy SC, the
Manchester United of local rugby, had a bench-strength that probably
was the envy of every other Club. At a given time, there were three
or four Sri Lanka players on the bench. This playing strength enabled
Kandy SC to swap players and positions especially in the first round,
thereby keeping ever the reserves reasonably happy breaking in the
new players without Jayasinghe through injury. In a lesser Club,
this could have been a morale-shattering blow. Yet Kandy SC shrugged
it off and went about their business of winning. Jayasinghe's
place was taken over by the talented Pushpakumara who turned out
to be the find of the season. Kandy SC did
find some stiff opposition on the way after some early, easy pickings.
Yet this multi-talented team were able to overcome all opposition.
In doing so, they were at times forced to perform at peak efficiency
- more importantly, they induced the opposing side to lift their
game, too. The upshot of it all was that the matches became hotly
contested affairs. Saranath Hettiarachchi
and Jeeva Galgamuwa were the hard-working props while Malith Silva
was the hooker, Pradeep Basnayake last years skipper, was a tower
of strength in the lines out, while young Sean Wijesinghe certainly
made his presence felt. Coach cum player Tuloga Tavesi (Loga, for
short) made up for a late start with some stirring performances
in crucial games. He singled out the CR&FC (his old Club) for
a positively dominating effort. Amjod Buksh
and Nilufer Ibrahim paired off as the halves combination early on.
However, Mallikarachchi, the skipper, played as fly half later on.
Kandy's most formidable force was the back division which had Hettiarachchi
and Liyanage Pushpakumara on the wings. But it was centre Bandaranaike
who caught the eye, time and time again, reading situation well
and bringing to bear all his experience and talent. Full back and
place kicker Nalaka Weerakkody earned many points for his Club with
his attacking play, joining the line and forming the overlap with
much success. His attempts at conversion were not always spot on. Kandy SC has won almost every bit of silverware on offer over the last few seasons. The bad news for other Clubs is that they are thirsting for more. Ananda
an emerging name in schools rugby Ananda emerged
runners up in the 'B' Division schools rugby. They beat some top
school sides on their way up such as Dharmaraja College (20/0) and
S.Thomas' College (8/7). They also defeated Mahanama College (66/0),
Zahira College (47/9), Thurstan College (15/10), St, Sylvester's
College (23/3). This year Ananda
College is being led by third year coloursmen Mindika Jayasinghe.
He is being well supported by his deputy Anuradha Fonseka. To enhance
the team's performances they have got more experienced and trained
players who are in the team now. The present Ananda team is being
bolstered with the inclusion of experienced Ransith Pieris who led
the team in 2002. He is the most senior player in the squad at present.
Ransith Pieris had been playing for the school from year 2000. Representing the team, since 2002 Anuruddha Uswatta is the 'Prop' with Sanjaya Wimalasekara and Chaturanga Jayasinghe. Malith Kanchana plays as 'hooker'. He joined the team in 2002. The two 'Second Row' players are Prasanna Mahanama and Gayan Fernando.The team's Vice Captain Anuradha Fonseka, plays as the 'Number 8'. He has been playing for Ananda College since 2001. Flanker Thilina
Jayasinghe is another experienced player representing the team from
2001. A superb player
assisting him is Tharindu Wijeratne. Captain Mindika Jayasinghe
and a newcomer Sumith Dahanayake is the 'center'. Nipuna Wimukthi
who plays as 'Fly half' joined the team in 2001. Ransith Pieris
plays in the vital 'scram half' berth. Senior player Ishan Lakjaya
and Dayan Dhanushka are the two 'wingers' with Nadeesh Chaturanga
as the 'full back'. Hisham Abdeen
, who is coaching led the Sri Lanka 7's team which won the Bowl
Championship in 1984. He also turned
out to be a rugby legend and represented Havelocks Sports Club for
a long time. Under his coaching the the Anandians under 17 team
won the Under 17 group "Premier" shield in 2002. Also
the match played for William Gopallawa shield against Vidyartha
Vidyalaya Kandy was won by the Anandians after four years. Coaching and
seeing to the necessities of the team is mainly done by the Principal
Mr.B.A.Abeyratne and also the Deputy Principal Mr.Kulasiri de Soysa. The Master-in-charge of the team is Mr.Padmakumara Rodrigo and the Old Boys Association has been giving tremendous support to the team. Sulaimania
succumb to rampaging KV Powerful K.V.
dominated the match from the beginning to register the highest score
in the season achieved by any club in Sri Lanka during the current
season. K.V. rested their regular players and gave the young blood
an opportunity to show their ability to secure a place in the high
riding K.V side. K.V., one of
the oldest clubs to play rugby in Sri Lanka has shown a big comeback
after many years to create a terrific impact on "B" Division
League. Many veteran players who witnessed their performance this
year has commended that they should play "A" division
rugby again. The powerful
K.V. side led by Mahesh Kulakulasooriya comprised of many experienced
players as well as young players who have shown great potential. Mahroof
to be honoured by his alma mater Farveez who
has been selected as the captain of the Under 19 national team for
the forthcoming series against the visiting Pakistan Under 19 teams
is regarded as the most successful player in the school crixket
arena for the last two seasons. He started his cricketing career
at a tender age, making his first appearence in the year 1995 when
he represented the Under 13 team. From there
he never looked back and went on to lead the Under 13, 15, 17 and
the Under 19 team. He captained the senior team for two years in
2002 and 2003. His first mentor was Russel Hamer who is a Old Wesleyite
and a former Sri Lanka wicket keeper. Incidentally Farveez established
a new record last year when he cracked a swashbuckling 243 not out
against Richmond at the Galle International Cricket Grounds eclipsing
Mervyn Hamer's (Russel's brother) record of 233 n.o. against Kingswood.
This is the highest scored by a Wesleyite. Apart from
him representing his school, Farveez has played for the national
team at all levels. In the year 2000 he went on a tour with Under
15 team to Malaysia for the Asia Cup. The same year he was the deputy
skipper of the Under 15 national team that went to England for the
junior world cup. In 2001 he was a member of the Under 17 national
team that went to Bangladesh for the Asia Cup. The same year
he was a member of the Under 19 team that toured Pakistan. In the
year 2002 he was a member of the Under 19 team that participated
in the World Cup held in New Zealand. Early this year he captained
the Under 19 national team that toured Pakistan. He was also the
captain of the Under 19 team for the Under 19 Tri Nation series
played in Sri Lanka this year. His performances
was rewarded when he was selected for a six month contract to England
which was offered by the BCCSL for the most outstanding schoolboy
cricketer and he was selected to play for the Stanmore Cricket Club
of Middlesex County. He made a name for himself in England with
headlines in one newspaper in England giving the headline "
Stanmore leading the way thanks to Mahroof magic. But of all the best reward he got was when he was selected as the Schoolboy Cricketer of the year and the Best Batsman of the year 2003. With his selection as the captain of the Under 19 national Farveez was compelled to cut short his contract with Stanmore CC at the request of a letter sent by the BCCSL. Farveez is the second player from Wesley to be selected as the Best Schoolboy Cricketer. The first being Darrel Maye in the year 1963 which was the Lifebuoy award at that time. They will also be felicitating the rugby team of 2002 which was captained by Lahiru Boteju. |
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