Did Freddie Mercury base his lines on these guys
Delving into the history of rugger at Kandy Sports Club prior to the Golden Era brought about by its present patron and chief Benefactor Malik Samarawickrema, it could be said that rugby was at a low ebb. In 1984-85, they had done well to reach the semi final of the Clifford Cup, but were easily beaten by the Havelocks. The captain in 1989 Anil Jayasinghe says that Kandy was whipped by the Police 89-13.
The better players had signed on with the elite Colombo Clubs. Money was in absolutely short supply. In fact there was no money to erect even the goalposts. The self-same Malik Samarawickrema, through he was fully committed to the CR & FC at that stage, made a donation to erect the goal posts.
The dawn of the new era came in 1992 when their precious benefactor shifted his attention to Kandy SC. There was instant success as Ananda Kasturiarachchi’s team carried off the Trophy. Success has bred success and players such as Lasantha Wijesinghe, Indrajith Bandaranaike, the late Sajith Mallikarachchi, Sanjeeva Jayasinghe et al represented the club with distinction and carried off nearly all the silver-ware on offer.
Kandy is today on the cusp of another league triumph. The Sunday Times button-holed Saliya Kumara the assistant coach of the team (with special responsibility for the backs). He points out that many players would like to come over to KSC. As for the reason, he says the players are looked after very well. Everyone is covered by a Medical Insurance Policy. A couple of injured players were even sent to Australia for treatment and surgery at club expense.
Saliyakumara feels that the main reason for their success is discipline. Punctuality and attendance at practice are prime requisites. Players cannot drink at the club-save the customary beer after a match. If a player drinks himself silly, even outside the club, and he is found out, punishment follows. The Rugby Committee comprising Lasantha Wijesuriya and Kapila Silva (the Manager) come down hard on indiscipline.
The President of the club, Nihal Ratwatte, himself a former Trinity and Kandy player, chips in to say that Kandy has the perfect combination going for them – a mixture of youth and experience. Kandy does not have any players who are long past their best. By the same token, they do not throw into the scrum any player who is just out of school. He has to be broken in so to say.
The Kandy team contains 33 professionals. There are regular meetings where plans are discussed and strategy formulated. Plans are drawn up match by match, and they differ according to who their opponent is. The think – tank takes a look at other players and identity strengths and weaknesses.
Other teams, says Saliya, develop player’s skills and then get them to play to a pattern. Kandy’s task is less onerous. Having invested in players with plenty of skills, Kandy sees that they play to a pattern.
Communication among the players is a given as the players have played together for two or three years with hardly any additions. Giving an account of the thought scores from set pieces. Once the other sides got wise to it, they used their third row more in defense. In response, Kandy has to find new avenues to increase their tally of points. Thus they hit upon the idea of phases.
Kandy is just one game away from becoming undisputed League champs - File pic Amila Gamage
At the start of the season, Kandy was conceding too many penalties because of high tackles. This area was worked on and, today, the team has cut down on those penalties.
Practice sessions are used to fine tune skills such as rucking, passing, line-speed and ball placement.
Saliya says that the team set out this season to remain unbeaten. They have achieved that so far. Last season they lost to the Air Force and Navy. Analysis followed, and the upshot of it was that the return matches were won 73-13 and 50-20.
Kandy’s bench is strong and of quality. This has enabled them to fill in the gaps when players are injured without lowering the quality of the team’s play. Injuries have affected the team at various stages. Right now Roshan Weeraratne, Anuruddha Wilawara and Jason Dissanaike have been rendered from de combat.
Summing up, Saliya Kumara feels that the club officials, headed by the President Nihal Ratwatte also deserve the Kudos. They have been with the team and shown interest in the welfare of the players.
Sean Wijesinghe, the Head Coach and Forwards Coach, who took over from Johan Taylor, has been able to continue the success and keep team performance on an even Keel.
The squad consists of Gayan Weeraratne (Captain), Fazil Marija, Danushka Ranjan, Anuruddha Wilwara, Richard Dharmapala, Danush Dayan, Lavanga Perera, Oshan Perera, Thilina Wijesinghe, Nigel Ratwatte, Roshan Weeraratne, Srinath Sooriyabandara, Buwaneka Udangamuwe, Sohiru Anthony, Shehan Pathirana, Heshan Silva, Damith Dissanaike, Ganuka Dissanaike, Ashan Darling, Achita Jayasuriya, Yakoob Ali, Tharindu Chaturanga, Piumal Manchanayake, Dimithri Wijetunga, Chatura Seneviratne, Heshan Jansen, Lahiru Ranaweera, Dulaksha Dange.