School rugby champions of 2000, 2004, 2005 and 2008, Kingswood College, Kandy, make no effort to hide the fact that they will pursue another title with relentless vigour.
The first school to start rugby in Sri Lanka, Kingswood views the year 2003 with mixed feelings. Condemned to play in the B division (which they eventually won) they exacted revenge in no small measure by beating the top dogs and annexing the President's Cup.
Rugby-mad Principal Ranjith Chandrasekera says, in passing, that Kingswood once more showed the way to other schools a few years back by hiring trainers and back-up staff. Other schools have taken the cue, he continues, and now it is up to them "to find new patterns to stay on top".
Kingswood skipper Rajitha Sansoni |
Former Sri Lanka player Nilufer Ibrahim continues to coach his old school. Not unlike brother Ronnie, Nilufer relies on quiet persuasion. He points out that their fourth place finish last year was due mainly to injuries suffered by key players - new Sri Lanka cap Roshan Weeraratne being one of them. Yet, they had the satisfaction of winning the schools' sevens.
A third year and a Sri Lanka Youth player Rajitha Sansoni leads the team, which has around six seniors. A superb full back whose handling is very good and whose kicking to touch is excellent, Sansoni is a running full back (in the J. P. R. Williams mould!). There have been numerous occasions when he collected the ball in his twenty two meter area and blazed across the field covering 60-70 yards.
The coach fancies that his team's back division is very good. Mohamed Fazli, the deputy skipper, is a penetrative centre. The halves combination will be a new one. Mohamed Abzal, links up with fly half Lavanka Perera. Lavanka's twin Oshan will be one of the centres.
Ibrahim speaks with enthusiasm of the talent of the twins. Number eight Jananath Dharmawardena and hooker Chatura Piyasena are two others on whom Kingswood will repose a lot of faith.
With competition in the A division being intense, Kingswood who oppose the Anthonians at Nittawela on the 24th can expect no favours. Both teams generally play the run and pass game and moreover, do it well. So a ripper of a game is in prospect.
In all probability, the following will turnout for Kingswood in their first game: Props - Heshan Silva, Chamila Abeygunaratne; Hooker - Chathura Piyasena; Locks - Buddika Jayasinghe, Jayantha Perera; Flankers - Isuru Jayaratne, Chetiya Wadugodapitiya; Number Eight - Jananth Dharmawardena; Halves - Mohamed Abzal and Lavanka Perera; Centres - Oshan Perera, Mohamed Fazli; Wingers - D. M. Wijesinghe, Prabath Jayalath; Full back - Rajitha Sansoni (Capt.) |
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