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Wesley have the power to knock down any team
By M. Shamil Amit
In the early days the Wesleyites were not a big name in the schools rugby arena. Though brushing shoulders with stronger schools they were in the losing side in most of the matches they played. But ocassionally the school has produced national players, some of the names that come to mind are Reginald Barthalomeuz who was an outstanding player and Iqbal Musafer. Both of them played for the CR & FC.

The Wesleyites have only tasted victory against Isipatana on one occasion when they defeated them in a thriller in 1963. But in the past they have always been losers against two other schools Trinity and Royal. But last year they acheived one under the leadership of Lahiru Boteju when they defeated Trinity convincingly 21-0. This year they acheived the other when they overcame Royal 22-18. Last year they also qualified through to the finals of the President's Trophy for the first time in the history but lost to Royal.

Today they are a side to be reckoned with, packed with robust type rugby players and guided by that young coach Dishantha Priyadharshana who in fact has been training them since he was their junior coach a few years ago before he took over the senior side from last year. He knows the players like his finger tips and is gifted with boys who are dedicated and determined and cooperative. The team had a successful season last year and the present players are continuing the good work though losing some of their key players.

This year the Wesleyites made a big impact in the ongoing inter-schools rugby season with their tough approach. They started the season with a bang defeating Carey 29-7 but received a shock when they were brought down by Kingswood 17-7. Then they gave the Isipathanians a torrid time before going down 20-15. In the next game against S. Thomas' they came back to overcome them by 15-8.

But the icing on the cake for the Wesleyites came when they put up an extraordinary display to completely outplay the reigning schools rugby champs St Peter's 19-13. Then they showed the win against the Petes was just not a flash in the pan or a fluke when they completely outclassed Royal 22-18 in the Royalists own den. From then on the Wesleyites became a much feared outfit to confront with.

They rose to the position of becoming one of the contenders for the schools title this year. But the Antonians match which was their next assignment, had many hopes for the Campbell Park boys supporters . A win here would have put them a few distance away of acheiving this target. But the Antonians made this ambition a bit tougher for the Wesleyites when they inflicted a narrow 11-8 defeat on them.

Nevertheless credit cannot be taken away from the Wesleyites, they put up a superb display of rugby and in the match against the Antonians they would have realised that if there was a reliable place kicker the game would have been definitely theirs. The Wesleyites dominated for the most part of the second half and the only thing they did was not score.

Led by fourth year player Kasun de Silva a player who represented the junior national side on a tour to Hong Kong for the Asiad Cup, with another fourth year player and national junior player Zakir Badurdeen as his deputy they have been a much talked about side this year. The boys are being backed by the Principal M.A.P. Fernando and the old boys being provided with all the support and facilities needed for them.
The boys combine well and that has been the secret for their success.

Second year player Amila Subasinghe has been doing a wonderful job as one of props along with freshers Dhanushka Warnasuriya and Henry Terrence taking turns when the occasion arises. Third year player and hooker Khalid Sharifooden has so far given his share in all the matches the team has played. The two second rows third year players Julian Fransisco and Dhanusha Perera with third year player Tyronne Harrison manning the most important No 8 position.

The side has two experienced flankers with skipper Kasun de Silva manning one and Heshan Dissanayke being the other. Deputy skipper Zakir Badurdeen and third year player Nuwan Samith are the two centres. Another third year player Rukshan Omar operates from the base of the scrum and will pair off with Omar Sharifoodeen who is the fly half with Naushki Fareez and Saliman being the two wingers. The last line of defence is manned by fresher Yasas Nonis who needs a little more exposure but has so far not let the side down.

There are a host of players in Niranjan Wickramaratne who excelled in the Under 17 team this year. He has played in a few games for the senior team this season. WithTuan Ossen, Samantha Lakshan, Damith Perera, Yomal Amaratunge, Nilushan Karunanayake and Shiham Saliheen who could come in as replacements if there is any injury.

With the league season at its tail end the Wesleyites have performed excellently well and have not let down their supporters upto now. But watch out there is the President's Trophy to be fought out in the near future and don’t be surprised if they come out victors. They have the ammunition to shoot down any team.

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