Unbeaten

By Marisa de Silva

All geared up to meet this "Champion Rugby Team" we walk onto the St. Peter's College (SPC) grounds expecting to catch some heavy duty action out on the field! So, you can just imagine our surprise when we found a bunch of 'adrenaline-pumped-boys', sitting around in the pavilion sharing a laugh, in complete 'relax mode'! Hmm…so this was the "unbeaten" Peterite Rugby team that has comprehensively annihilated each and every one of their opponents in this year's 'Singer Interschool League Rugby Tournament'?

So, if they look normal…and behave normal…what exactly is it about them that make them, the 'only' Peterite Rugby team possibly in history (or at least as far back as anyone can recall), to bear the title of "Unbeaten League Champs'? I was soon to discover that …

Speaking to the driving force behind the champs – Sanath Martis, who with 22-years of coaching experience behind him, is an asset to the team himself, he says, "although we were double champions (League and Knock-Out) last year, this is the first time we've had an unbeaten season. Even though we've had a wealth of individual talent emerging from St. Peter's before, what's most special about this team is that they all work as one unit and are very committed and disciplined. Having 14 players remaining in the squad from last year is always an additional bonus

"The boys have been working long and hard, training five days a week straight, from January till now. They've had to make a lot of sacrifices over the past seven months; no late nights, no parties, no girlfriends," said the coach emphatically. Considering the general SPC culture is to be quite sociable and enjoy, I really must thank the boys for being so dedicated to the sport, he said. Also, as many of the boys are sitting for their A/L's this year, they have had to concentrate on their school work as well, he added. In addition, all of them are very intelligent players he said adding that one day, they'll make fine citizens of the country too.

"Their aim right from the beginning was to become unbeaten champs, and now having achieved their target, I must say that they more than deserved it. I always believed the boys had it in them to achieve the impossible. We had all the resources, talent and support in place to do the needful, all that was left really was to put it to the test," said the coach proudly. And test they did! "It's not just about me and the team. Like in the production of a film, there are a lot people behind the scenes who are as important if not, more so, who contribute towards the success of the team. The College Rector – Fr. Travis Gabrielle and the Sports Co-ordinator – Fr. Sunil R. Perera create a healthy environment for the team to perform. The team's Fitness and Mental Development Trainer – D.U.M. Jayathilake, is a 'master of fitness' and comes all the way from Kandy to train the boys," he added appreciatively.

"I must make a special mention of my Assistant Coach, former Sri Lankan Rugby Player – Colin Dinesh who's been an immense source of support and encouragement to both me and the boys," said the coach.

"We can't forget to thank our Old Boys Union (OBU) who's always worked very closely to the team and supported us throughout, and all our sponsors, especially Mr. Viran Constantine of Suntel," he added. The coach is also greatly appreciative of the Sri Lanka Army rugby team (of which he is currently the Technical Advisor ) for agreeing to practice against the College team as the boys have learnt a lot from them and can develop both physically and mentally playing against a tougher opposition, he explained.

Moving on to the current "Kings of Rugby" themselves, we learn how true champions are made!

Ranuka (The Wise One):
"We go to church as a team before and after every match and I think it really builds our 'team spirit' which is one of the key components of our success this year. There's no 'selfish play'; everyone plays as one team."

"My parents have cautioned me not to make rugby my life and that I should focus on my studies as well and I try and do that to the best of my abilities," he added diligently.

Shanaka (The Cheeky One): Former Basket Ball Captain

"Our feat can be attributed to the dedication and commitment of each and every player who came for practice, not just the ones who wound up playing."

"Playing a sport and especially rugby you are able to take decisions under pressure." "Our Captain is really lucky to have a team like us," he said beaming mischievously.

Arjuna (The Silent One): National Under 19 Rugby player

He confidently said, "the three core ingredients the lack or abundance of which, can make or break a team are discipline, team work and commitment and I think we struck just the right balance."

Harendra (The 'Not-So-Silent' One): Captian of Sri Lanka Under 19 Rugby Team, National Swimmer '99 and former College Captain

"Not only do we practice together but some of us even study together." "Coach has to be tough but, he's like a father figure to us in many ways," he said respectfully. "My team mates are the best," he said with glee.

Samson (The Brave One):

He nostalgically reminisced, "my most memorable moment was at last year's Wesley match when I got a seven inch gash just below my eye and somehow kept playing till the end of the match, which we wound up winning."

Irfath (The Modest One): National Under 19 Rugby player and played Foot-Ball for school and I was told, is quite a good singer.
"I don't think of us as a champion team as yet, but, as a normal team, because we have more matches to play and so must keep our head down and continue to play the way we have been playing," he said determinedly.

Ishan (The Thought-Full One): National Under 19 Rugby player

"Right from the start, we've always had the potential to do it. Our one dream was to become unbeaten double champs; half the battle is won, there's nothing stopping us from going the whole hog." Adding doggedly, "Coach has always told us that nothing's impossible. That if we think we can, we can fight back even in the last five minutes of the game."

Twenty four boys, their rights arms placed proudly across their chests, stand tall and sing lustily of a 'Blue, white and gold' that they are so honoured to be a part of and whom they have brought great honour to! Kudos St. Peters, to a season well played, well fought and incredibly won!