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AROUND THE RUGBY CLUBS
'Discipline, devotion and determination are the key factors' -Wijesinghe
By Bernie Wijesekera
"Last year's league runners-up and losing finalists in the SLRFU knock-out tournament CH and FC will be without three of their key players ( Dilanka Wijesekera, flanker, Milinda Jayasinghe scrum half Yuganthara Karunaratne wing three quarter who have gone abroad) this season. In spite of this they will be a force to be reckoned with in the coming rugby season", said coach Grahame Raux explaining about his team this season to The Sunday Times.

Raux, a former Sri Lanka national player took over the reins as coach of CH and FC last year and in association with Jude Dimitri, Rohan Abeykoon and Nazim Mohamed co-ordinating, did an excellent job to be runners to the ultimate champions Kandy S.C.

"The key for the success of the Crescent Club attributes to their discipline, devotion and determination", said skipper Sameera Wijesinghe. He has been a regular member of the national team as a hooker. Wijesinghe, a hardy player will be leading a pack with abundant strength, power and weight, which could match the best in the local scene. With some seasoned players who have been playing for the for a couple of seasons CH will be in the scrum again. The squad for the coming season will be a blend of youth and experience. Second-rower and flanker Bertie Jayasekera props Sachita Cooray, Jayantha Ranaweera, Senaka Bandara center Saranga Jayakody, Varuna de Silva.

Two foreign players - Fijians, center Jimmy and Flanker K. Rakata, who played last year will be here on April 18, before their opening match against Kandy Youth on April 25, in Kandy. For the coming season CH will miss three key players scrumhalf Milinda Jayasinghe, who has gone to New Zealand for training and to get medical attention along with Dilanka Wijesekera also to New Zealand for studies.

Winger Uganthara Karunaratne too has gone to London for personal reasons. They have created a vaccum, but CH has young talent to fill the breach. Last year's Kingswood captain Senaka Bandara who could play as a fullback or in the line will play either as fly half or full back as the need arises. He will be on call for Nalin Dissanayake in the last line.

The 'eight' will be solid with their robust play in the loose. It's a sleek three-quarter line with Jimmy, Jayakody, Dinesh Kumara and P. Shivakantha, Dushantha Lewke, the No. 8. who had his first year of baptism (2003) to the big league has made his mark. The youngster adds much power to the pack.

"The squad is training hard and play as professionals to achieve success. It has to be a concerted team effort to achieve the ultimate goal. Play to the whistle at all times and adhere to the rules. Unwarranted play will not be condoned. Play the game in the correct spirit for all to enjoy.

The players have been told to play hard and open rugby. It's a manly sport and CH and FC has dished out red hot rugby in the past, and had some international class players of yester year - the likes of Hisham Abdeen (93 captain) 'Shan' Perera, Priyantha Ekanayake " said Raux.

Die-hard rugby supporter and former CH and FC player Ranjan Canagasabey is the rugby chairman. He heads the committee - Arjuna Cooray (Manager) Rohan Anthony (Secretary). They are giving all support and encouragement for the players.

It’s up to the players to be totally committed and discipline themselves and play like professionals. In its wake it could uplift the game at national level. In the past even without expatriates the Gymkhana Club with over 100 years of rugby has made a name. At present the players are enjoying better facilities with a swimming pool in the offing in the near future with a dedicated management headed by Iqbal Hassan and his deputy Shammi Silva.

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