A top-5 finish is a possibility
Dharmaraja squad
Unfortunate to run into the mighty Isipathana side in their opening match, Chalindu Wijesinghe’s Dharmaraja side lost 17-61. Coach Radhika Hettiarachchi says poor tackling was an important reason for the debilitating loss. However, the Rajans came from behind in their next game to upset Kingswood 24-17. The team is targeting the matches against St. Anthony’s and St. Peter’s to move up the table. They feel a top-five finish is a possibility. The coach who’s been on the job for four years, thinks that the 2016 side is better than the previous one. People really sat up and took notice when Rochana Hetttiarachchi’s 2013 side became school champions.
That success has ensured a healthy respect for Rajan rugby. In the previous year, Miyum Hewawasam’s team prepared the ground for the subsequent success by annexing the ‘B’ Division title as well as the ‘A’ Division sevens. Skipper Chalindu Wijesinghe, a
Chalindu Wijesinghe (Captain)
fourth year player, is one of the locks. The Rajans have as many as four players viewing for the other lock forward berth. In fact, they have some players (referred to as all rounders) who can fit into two or three places. As far as rugby goes, there are few things that coach Radhika Hettiarachchi may not know. Seventeen years in club rugby as winger and full back and twelve in the Sri Lanka side should make him one of the most qualified coaches around, playing-wise.
For good measure, he led the national team for three years. The coach would like to get a minimum of three players into the Sri Lanka Under 20 side. He points out that facilities for training are slightly inadequate. They use the school ground for practices and generally, boys indulging in other sports share it with them. They get to practice at Bogambara very rarely as it is heavily booked in advance. The ingredients for success are there, as three or four individuals take a particular interest. Deepal Punyawardena, who has a fair bit of coaching experience, acts as Assistant to Hettiarachchi. Saliya Alexander the master-in-charge is a source of great strength. Finally, the rugby mad old boys.
Squad
Props: Ananda Raja,
Dulanjana Hettiarachchi, Sasitha Livera,
Adeesha Dissanaiake.
Hooker: Manuka Hiyarapitiya,
Hasitha Wijesinghe
Locks: Chalindu Wijesinghe (Capt.) Hirushan Maduwantha, Oshada Ekanayake, Asanka Kumara, Lakshan Ekanayake.
Flankers: Tharaka Ratnayake, Pradeep Epa, Maneesha Bandara, Chatura Ekanayake.
Number Eight: Lakshan Pathirana, Tharaka Silva.
Scrum Halves: Chanuka Gayeshan, Prabash Bandara
Fly Halves: Charith Habaragama, Chamika Perera
Centers: Nimesh Ratnayake,
Gihan Malinga,
Malintha Rajapakse, Tharindu Kapuwatte
Wingers: Osanda Kulupana,
Hasmitha Rodrigo,
Krishan Dissanayake,
Dilan Dhananjana
Full backs: Gihan Deshapriya,
Tharuka Galapitiya