Isipathana are determined to clinch the Under-20 inter-school league rugby title this year after a lapse of 10 years. Having made a reputation for fast running rugby from its inception Isipathana has a well balanced team with a mobile and heavy set of forwards to assist their speedy three-quarters.
“I have a strong feeling that Isipathana could reach the top of the table when the season ends. This also means that we will be league champions after a decade. With no other tournaments at sight in the near future, we are totally focused with that goal,” stated Viraj Prasanna, the Isipathana coach.
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| Viraj Prasanna (Coach) |
Prasad Devinda (Captain) |
In addition to their strengths which are the formidable three-quarter line, Isipathana also have retained the services of almost thirteen senior players from last season. The newcomers to the side also have made their presence felt with great ambiance at the same time challenging their senior team mates for positions. These facts were well proven when coach Prasanna combined the experience and talent to record two good wins against Dharmaraja 37-15 and St. Anthony’s 31-3. However in their third match against Royal, Isipathana were put under pressure and succumbed to a slender defeat by one point. The game ended in favour of Royal at 11-10.
“The defeat at the hands of Royal does not mean Isipathana played bad rugby. We were really good but could not make the finishing touches. But when compared to the first two games where we recorded wins, the performance was far ahead. It’s really a good indication. We are improving after every game and going with our strengths to achieve what’s in our minds,” Prasanna added.
With their one-point calamity against Royal firmly placed in their minds, Isipathana went on to approach each game with a positive frame of mind. They were not ready to underestimate their opponents and went on to win the two games with great confidence. They beat giant killers Science by 23-17 after surviving tremendous pressure and a week later put a full-stop to avenging St. Joseph’s at 29-23. They crushed Wesley by 46-3 two weeks ago and last weekend carried on with their tremendous form with an emphatic 77-3 win over S. Thomas’.
“I really was not ready to take the risk of giving overambitious targets to our players. I knew that they are potentially talented players with born ability. My job as the coach is to give them the correct guidance and built their characters as sportsmen. In addition, my style of approaching into things was taking a step at a time. This gave the players that target which is to focus and win the match on that particular week. This has worked quite well for us thus far,” Prasanna who is also a product of Isipathana added.
Unlike recent years, this season Isipathana has made drastic changes to on field preparations and approach. This includes two separate huddles, one for the forwards and the other for the three-quarters before the first whistle and at the time of half time. This follows with a single huddle before the team takes the field. Prasanna who is a neat spotter of loose play said that during play he prefers to give the skipper total control of the game.
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| Isipathana rugby squad |
“With these huddles I intend to give them a quick briefing about the way they should take the game on. I prefer to make it a very small briefing as players naturally don’t keep everything in their heads, especially when they are nervous before and in-between a game. Days before the match we discuss our game plan which could fit the opponents. On the big day I give the captain the freedom to lead his team. Clauses that failed to materialize then would be discussed through a friendly team chat. After each game the players tend to do very little mistakes,” he revealed.
Isipathana last won the schools league championship in 2001 under the captaincy of Ranga Perera but during this phase they were able to emerge as runners-up in 2007. Additionally they have emerged as runners-up in the Presidents Trophy knockout championship for three successive years since 2007. With last year’s season also proving to be a mix of fortunes, they are ambitious to go for the gold after a decade. With six matches ahead for them Prasanna was highly confident that Isipathana can reach their target without a doubt.
“The season has still got six weeks of rugby ahead. I know it’s premature to assume things but with our strategy of approach by the end of the season thing could favour our aim,” Prasanna said.
Isipathana rugby squad:
Prop forwards: Nipuna Devinda, Thusitha Mithraratne, Chanuka Dissanayake
Hookers: Manaka Siriwardena, Prasad Madushanka
Locks: Vasula Wimalaweera, Ganidu Lakshan, Senal Deelaka, Arun Kumar
Flankers: Kumendra Dharmadasa, Ashan Kavinda, Hasitha Udyoga
No.8: Sajith Shuaib
Scrumhalf: Kavindu de Costa
Fly half: Hirantha Perera, Prashan Attanayake
Centres: Prasad Devinda (Captain), Ashan Gallage, Shamal Chaturanga
Wingers: Mekalanka Pramoda, Shenal Dias, Umayanga Sooriyabandara, Uditha Tharanatha
Full back: Shanaka Kumara, Malik Jumad
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