Wesley College has been an integral institution where rugby football is concerned. This has been so for the past 54 years. However their return to the top league has brought them back right into the highly competitive schools competition this year.
They returned to the Under-20 Inter-School Division I ‘A’ league rugby competition last year after completing a successful season in 2009. The 2010 season was a tough one for the Double Blues but they somehow survived to remain in the group for yet another year.
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| The Wesley rugby squad (Pix by Mangala Weerasekera) |
But this season Wesley is surely trying to prove their existence in the top group where they consider it as the correct place to be. However Wesley has proved that they are an outfit different to any other team that has returned to the top league.
“We are happy not to achieve the best or anything big as yet. The pace we are running at is pleasing and we have a certain target to achieve when the season ends. This is a high-profile league and to remain there for two seasons is satisfactory,” Wesley coach Dishantha Priyadarshana said.
Wesley has so far faced four games, recording a win and a draw while losing two thrilling games. They took on S. Thomas’ in their first game of the season and recorded a fine 18-12 win at Havelock Park. Though their performance was at a satisfactory level in the first match Wesley showed great promise as they almost stunned Royal before going down by 32-33. The following week Wesley were nearly cruising home before St. Joseph’s bounced back to level the game at 13-all. However they were no match for defending champions St. Peter’s who recorded a comfortable 65-7 win.
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| Dishantha
Priyadarshana (Coach) |
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Tharinda Pathirana (Captain) |
“When considered all teams are at an even level except for St. Peter’s who are performing better than the rest. The competition among the remaining 11 teams have created a wide opening for the rest of the slots of the table and our expectation is to finish among the best five. It won’t matter how or by what margin the win comes as long as we win by at least a point and fulfill our hopes,” added Priyadarshana.
Wesley’s strength this season will be their balance of their backs and three-quarters. Their rugby squad consists of young players but Wesley could be happy if those youngsters who can carry the fort for at least two more seasons. Unlike last year where Wesley almost moved back to the lower group, this season they can rely on their talents who can be useful to their rugby.
“Last year I took over midway in the season with just four matches to complete the season. Wesley was not doing that great but we managed to regroup and finish off in style. Wesley even went on to beat Kingswood in the knockout competition last year. Though we have lost a good number of players from last year, we always recall those glad moments from last season so that we could kick off with the hope of winning a game.”
“Our first game against S. Thomas’ was a disaster even though we won it. But we learnt a lot from the next three games which includes two losses against Royal and St. Peter’s; two of the strongest sides this year. But by this time the boys are playing with confidence, grit and the usual pattern of turning out good, attractive rugby. Wesley has been successful in the past. It’s good for our future which we aim with great buoyancy. Wesley belongs to the top group. Survival in the first two seasons and getting back to the winning pattern will see Wesley only become much stronger which we can achieve in the near future,” Priyadarshana added on a firm note.
The squad: Props: Udara Gayan, Gavin Siegerts, Shehan Tillekeratne; Hookers: Vishwa Steinwall, Thisara Maduwahtha; Locks: Younus Yusuf, Shehan Dias, Ahmed Hussen, Sachin Fernando; Flankers: Sithum Peiris, Shehan Saranga; No.8: Kokila Sammandapperuma; Scrumhalf: Joel Tillekeratne, Rahul De Silva; Flyhalf: Ishara Madushan; Centres: Rishan Premageeth, Tharinda Pathirana (Captain), Rajitha Liyanawaduge, Prageeth Shanilka; Wingers: Prince Thuraiappah, Steven Dhanushka, Suhel Kuthupdeen, Viraj Nissansala, Lakru Perera; Fullback: Akram Assan, Hiran Dulaj, Aaqil Affam |
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