Anthonians can take comfort from the fact that the worst is over
The St. Anthony's College Katugastota Rugby Squad for 2016
The Anthonians have contributed many players to the National team over the last three decades. Chief among them are the Ekanayake brothers Lakshman and Priyantha, Leory Fonseka, Jude Pillai, Nihal Gunaratne, Lasantha Wijesuriya, Mourice Joachim and in more recent times, Pradeep Liyanage. However, Anthonian Rugby has not been what it should be over the last few years. Placed seventh out of 10 last season, they went on to beat Prince of Wales, Thurstan and CWW Kannangara and finished runner-up to Wesley in the Plate segment. Their first two matches this season have ended in losses to Science and Isipathana – possibly the two best sides. The Katugastota lads can take comfort from the fact that the worst is over.
Coach Nihal ‘Viper’ Gunaratne (Jnr) is almost at a loss to explain away the defeats. “The team is playing well yet they are conceding big scores. The loose play is satisfactory but the lines out need fixing. It’s a young side, and will take time to come up. The backs are exciting”. He is happy that in the matches played so far there were no yellow cards and high tackles. It has been observed that the Antonians concede too many tries in the last 10-15 minutes. The coach is aware if that and is currently planning out ways and rules of ending it. Viper Gunaratne has a wealth of experience as a coach, but he says he’s no rolling stone. From 1987 to 1990 it was his Alma Mater. In 1990 he doubled as player cum coach for Kandy SC. From 1990 to 1995 he coached Dharmaraja.
He was back with the Antonians in the period 2005-09 and again in 2013. He also had stints with the Thomians and the Josephians. On top of all that, Sanath Martis and Viper were in charge on the Sri Lanka Under-20 squad that did well in last year’s Asiad. Assisting Viper as the kicking coach will be Nalaka Weerakkody, another illustrious player for Kandy SC and Sri Lanka. Given time, these two could make the Antonians a force once more. What is pleasing about the team is that despite the defeats, there are definite signs that they can go places. For about ten minutes of the second half against Isipathana, the Antonians played some splendid attacking rugby and produced two goals. They have to realise that one swallow (or even two) doesn’t make a summer.
The squad is as follows
- Props: Shenal Dias, Anjana Ariyawansa, Dinesh Rodrigo
- Hooker: Kavinda Amarakoon, Pulathisi Dassanayake
- Locks: Mohamed Shabeer, Raja Monishan, Ruwan Amerasinghe
- Flankers: Pasindu Dulshan (Capt), Sasanka Millamadiththa, Lashan Mahindaratne, Jithen Daulagala
- No.8: Sanesh Weerakoon
- Scrum half: Duminda Hettiarachchi, Ashen Premaratne, Theeksha Gunasinghe
- Fly half: Kumara Maduwantha, Chamod Wanasinghe, Kanishka Jayasuriya
- Centres: Jehan Seelagama, Dinuk Amerasinghe (VC), Mohemed Makanim
- Wingers: Miranga Ramaweera, Pramuditha Wickremaarachchi, Janindu Himsara, Ishara Liyanage
- Full back: Prabodha Bandara