Kandy SC: The loss has stung
For some, the fall of a perennial champion is a source of satisfaction as it is a sign that “the old order changeth yielding place to new”.
Not so for Kandy SC’s fanatic fans. That crucial loss to the Havies in last year’s league tournament was totally unacceptable. It doesn’t matter that Kandy SC was completely outplayed on the day. That defeat cannot be lived down.
Gayan Weeraratne is tipped to captain Kandy SC this season
The team’s problem last season was that the foreign players were run of the mill, quite ordinary. Much was expected of them but little was delivered. The authorities at Nittawela have sat up and taken notice. Three foreigners have been recruited from the All Black country and there is a surge of hope and vibrancy that all will be well. Andrew Porter, Sammy Soni and Fili Satano are the New Zealanders.
Another reason for the supporters to feel buoyant is the presence of some outstanding schoolboys. Science College skipper Richard Dharmapala, a centre in the manner born, finds himself vying for the scrum half’s birth. Dharmaraja’s hugely prolific Tilina Wijesinghe has his sights set on the fullback position.
Go back a season or two and you have the likes of Anuruddha Wilvara (a Sri Lanka Player), Trinitian Randika de Alwis, Oshan and Lavanga (the Perera twins from Kingswood) and the fleet-footed Antonian Dhanushka Dayan. Tharindu Chanaka – a utility player, can fit in as the half or fullback. A former Antonian skipper, he is cool under pressure.
Sri Lankan centre Gayan Weeraratne was the club’s choice as skipper, but he has been rendered hors de combat by injury. The talented Roshan, his brother, now finds himself in the hot seat. But he need have no worries. Any side that contains the multi-talented Fazil Marija is bound to be a handful. Marija will be pairing off with his co-centre in the national team, Pradeep Liyanage, in case the wise men at Kandy decide to play Damien Ratwatte or Fili Satono at fly half. With that Dharmaraja flyer Dharshana Etipola on the wing, Kandy SC should never be short of tries.
While Kandy’s forwards spearheaded by the dynamic Sean Wijesinghe have done their bit, it has been the back division that has been quite fantastic and kept the spectators on the edge of their seats. By the way, the pack also includes Dinesh Sanjeeva and former Peterite Keith Gurusinghe.
Trinity coach of the last few years, Neil Foote has taken charge of the team. It will be a hard act to follow in the footsteps of John Taylor who guided and mentored the team to many a success.
Former Sri Lanka player Lasantha Wijesuriya heads the selection committee while another ex-player Kapila de Silva acts as team manager. Both of them are confident that the team can scale the heights once more.
Kandy SC should clear their first hurdle – the home match against CH&FC at Nittawela on November 17, in the ease. Other key games will be the ones against CR & FC (Nov 23), Navy (December 8), Upcountry Lions (Jan 11) and Havelocks (Jan 18).
| The Squad:
Props: Kishore Jehan, Heshan Kalhara, Piyumal Manchanayake, Mohamed Arshan. |