Science College – Determined to succeed in the oval shape ball game
The Science College Rugby Sqaud of 2016 - Pix by Anuradha Bandara
A school with a short rugby history, but in years gone by, have produced some outstanding ruggerites to the national side, and slowly and steadily they are becoming a dominant force in schools top league Division 1, locking horns with some of the top guns in school rugby, with proud rugby histories behind them. The school is Science College, Mt. Lavinia. With their entry into schools top league in year 2011, there is no turning back for them and have performed with total determination to stay by finishing in the first 4-5 in the league since then.
The school was established in 1979 under the name of Sathissara Maha Vidyalaya. But three years later , the name of the school was changed to Science College. In 1981, Trinity played Sathissara Maha Vidyalaya for the first time in their history fielding a ‘A’ team. The game ended nil-all at Havelock Park. Since then, the game of rugby was instilled in the veins of Science boys. And thirty years later Science was able to defeat Trinity 11-10 in their own grounds in 2011. Such was the determination of the Science boys, and now they are force to reckon with in schools rugby.
The most incredible part is each year, they field a strong rugby squad from a student population of just 1850!
Nirosh Udayanda - Capt
Last year Science College, bagged the Milo Presidents trophy for the first time in their short history under Lasindu Karunathilake by beating the strong favourites, Isipathana College led by Omalka Guneratne. The victory was memorable and a landmark in their history. And their U18 boys, bagged the 7’s title for the second consecutive year. Science College, out of all the schools in the Division 1, may have the lowest budget for the oval shape ball game, and for them, the financial support is hard to come by, but yet the boys, the rugby foundation and their old boys, is making a determine act to stay on top and on par with leading schools in the rugby field.
This is a school that has produced outstanding ruggerites, to name a few, such as Jeffrey Jamalon, Hilmy Saheed, Jeffrey Saheed, Nazeem Mohammed, Dinesh Sanjeewa, Damith Jayawardene, speed fiend Sanjeewa Jayasinghe and recently likes of Richard Darmapala, his brother Richie Darmapala and Heshan Maduranga. The season of 2016, commenced in a very unfortunate way and double blow for Science, when Colin Denish, their rugby consultant went back to his old school St.Peters, and he took Ransilu Jayathilake, the physical trainer as well with him.
So far they are unbeaten from two games in the season.
In their last segment 1B league game at Royal College Sports Complex, last week, Science College, came up with a brilliant second half rally, in the dying minutes, to clinch the game away from Peterites by 13-10.Science College was trailing Petes 0-10 to the the final minutes of the game. That was a brilliant act by Mt.Lavinia school. Science College, will surely put up a strong performance in remaining matches of their group in weeks to come. Science College 1XV is captained this year by Nirosh Udayanga, who plays as the outside center. And his deputy co-center Thanuja Maduranga, Their coach for a long time, is Amila Chathuranga is doing a yeoman service. The physical trainer is Rajitha Lasantha, who has molded the team to a fighting unit. The MIC is A.P.Jayasuriya. Remaining fixtures of Science College in the 1st round : April 23rd vs. Kingswood College at Bogamabara and April 29th vs. Isipathana College at Havelock Park
Thanuja Maduranga - VC
The Science College 1XV rugby pool for 2016
- Props : Ravindu Sankalpa, Charith Janitha, Vihanga Kavinda, Ruchira Navinda, Nisala Deshan, Anuka Dilshan.
- Hooker: Sunanjana Hansamal, Sashin Munasinghe, Sandeep Rukshitha, Thimira Chalinda
- Locks:Daminda Lakshitha, Dulsara Tharupaba, Janidu Yasas, Denuvan Lakranda, Abhishek Rasanjana
- Flankers: Udesh Madushanka, Shifan Irshad, Vinam Kavinda, Chanuka Gihan
- Number eight: Janith Lakshan, Dilshan Maduwantha.
- Scrum half: Ashan Madhumadawa, Harsha Prabath, Sashindu Imasha.
- Fly Half: Nishad Neranja and Kasun Madushanka
- Centers : Nirosh Udayanga (Skipper) and Thanuja Maduranga (Deputy skipper)
- Wings: Tharindu Maduranga, Sanjula Rohan, Nilakna Dissanayake, Iresh de Silva,Yomal Tissera, Kavishka Shamith, Shenil Dananjaya.
- Full Back: Supun Dilshan, Vibudu Sahan, Harshana Samaratane