An outfit with a great Rugby heritage
Rahal
St. Peters College, Colombo- a school with a great rugby heritage, being the fourth school to take up the oval shape ball game in the island, after Kingswood, Trinity, Royal and Zahira. In year 1932, rugby football was introduced to St. Peters, and in the same year they played Royal, the island’s second oldest schools rugby encounter. In following year-1933 they met Trinity. The decade of 30’s, Peterites were the undisputed school rugby champions, dominating the game over Trinity, Royal and Zahira, the only four schools to play the game in that period.
In the recent past, St. Peters have produced teams, that went on to win the all island sevens rugby and the league title as well. In year 2013 and 2015, they clinched the sevens title. The last time Peterites had unbeaten teams was way back in years 2010 and 2007. The crack 2010 team was led by number eight Keith Gurusinghe, and they clinched the sevens title as well. The team of 2007 was led by half back Ranuka Jayawardena , another superb outfit, who bagged every title on offer. Since then Peterites have not produced an unbeaten outfit.
Last year, they did not perform up to their full potential. This season, St.Peters have progressed to the cup championship, and the matches will commence in last week of May. But in their first round matches, they did not
Avishka
play to the expectations of many. In the first game, they came on top against Kingswood 35-18. In the next game versus Science, they led most of the time in the game, but in the dying minutes they made grave mistakes to lose 10-13. Next,they beat a stubborn Anthonian outfit 21-11 up in Nittawela to win the Rectors trophy.
But Isipathana inflicted Peterites, their second defeat of the season with a fine 36-21 win. In the final game of the first round, Petes overcame Dharmaraja 36-6 to finish third in the group. St. Peters first XV, this season is led by fourth year colours man –Sandesh Jayawickema, an experienced player who man the last line of defence. The two deputies are according to their seniority is –Rahal Delpachithra and Avishka Heenpella, both are experienced players in their positions of play.
Colin Denish, is the head coach of St. Peters this season. Denish is a reputed coach in the school rugby arena for a long time. He is ably assisted by Rajiv Perera, who is their forwards coach and Mohammed Sherif, their backs coach. St.Peters, will surely give an improved performance in the Cup championship round, when meeting S.Thomas, Royal, Trinity and Wesley, by correcting their errors made in the first round..
Sandesh (Capt)
The St. Peters rugby squad for this season:
Props: Dhanilsha Dissanayake, Harin Biyanwila, Manula Udukumbura, Nikhil Yapa, Julian Gratian
Hooker: Ravin Yapa, Nomin Newjitha, Julian Gratian
Locks: Rahal Delpachitra ( Vice captain), Narendra Perera, Shanuka Nanayakkara
Flankers : Shane Gurusinghe, Sajith Seram , Nomin Newjitha, Alister Symons, Anjelo Mendis, Javed Zarook, Suhail Fernando.
Number eight:
Senura Premawardena, Sajith Seram
Scrum half: Avishka Heenpella ( Vice captain), Rakhita Lenora
Stand Off: Stephan Sivaraj, Promodh Kannangara
Centers: Theekshana Heshan, Luke Lakshan, Ramesh Fernando, Diyath Fernando, Bilal Hilmy
Wings: Thakshina Nonis, Luke Lakshan, Ramesh Fernando, Shehan Madhawa, Diyath Fernando, Marc Assauw
Full Back:Sandesh Jayawickrema (Skipper), Promodh Kannangara, Suhail Fernando.
