The Trinity College Rugby Team was out on three missions this year. First of course was to bring back the Bradby Shield to Kandy after three years. Second was to win the School’s League. The last one was to win the President Trophy Knock-out Tournament.
They did win the Bradby after a remarkable comeback in the second leg in Colombo. Murad Ramzeen and the boys missed out on a Golden opportunity when they missed out on the League. They had an outstanding unit but with inconsistent performances the team was badly hampered. But they came back strongly, after a month’s lay off for the Advanced Level exams, to conquer the President Trophy for the very first time when they beat the tough Isipathana outfit. This tournament was initiated in 1995. Trinity had participated in the President Trophy only on four previous occasions- in 1995, 1996, 2010 and 2011.
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| Lions charging against Pathana at the knockout final |
This year the “Lions” were led by hardy Sri Lankan Youth skipper Murad Ramzeen. He was omnipresent and he led from the front. His power play was a treat to watch during the entire season. He had some excellent players in his side. Eight of the Trinity team members were on the touring party to Hong Kong for the Youth Rugby Asiad. Murad Ramzeen led the side with Thimira Galapathy, S .I. Perera, Randika Alwis, Mohamed Seshan, Dilshan Kaleniyagoda, Sanjaya Somasiri and Savinda Unamboowe making the final 23 to Hong Kong.
A further three of them made the team for the Youth Commonwealth Games (Rugby Sevens) held in the Isle of Man. They were Randhika Alwis, Sanjaya Somasiri and Kanil Seneviratne. Coming into the President Trophy, Trinity thrashed the Rajans in the quarter-finals 54-17. In the semi-finals they beat the Peterites for a second time in-a-row in Colombo. After the league win at Bambalapitiya the “Lions” mauled them 32-14 and in the grand Final got the better of Isipathana College 21-10.
Speaking to the Sunday Times Head Coach Nilfer Ibrahim said, “We played to a plan and the boys were really in good nick. They are a remarkable lot and are committed to the hilt. I have never seen a bunch of guys who are so close and their way of life is rugby and nothing but rugby. Discipline is maintained at all times. After the initial hiccups during the season we hit back. We had our issues of inconsistency which resulted in coming third in the League.”
Nilfer, the former Kingswood and Sri Lanka Sevens specialist, admitted that before going for the Bradby first leg that the team should have played at least a league game at Bogambara. He was of the view that Trinity home games, including the Bradby, should be played at Pallekelle. He ended by saying: “We practice daily at Pallekelle which is beautiful and it is a very good rugby ground.” He thanked the Principal Brig Udaya Ariyaratne for the excellent support extended to the team throughout the season. He also thanked his coaching staff of Dilip Selvam, Neil Foote, Master-In- Charge Prabath Senanayake, N. Dayan (Trainer), Aruna Sanjeeva (Physio) and Dr. Asela for the superb support and assistance extended to the team. Nilfer said in conclusion that without the help, hard work and commitment towards the team and the ‘Scrummage’ for their continued support throughout the season, that they would never have achieved such great success.
The Trinity Rugby Pool: Murad Ramzeem (Capt), Rehan Weerakoon, Dilshan Kalaniyagoda, Lakshan Jayasooriya, Thisila Karunathilaka, Izree Shehan, Kaneel Senevirathne, Shanaka Navaratne, Mohamed Sashan, Shaveen Dhammapala, Sean Foster, Kanishka Yatawara, Duminda Nayakarathne, Harshana Udalagama, Savinda Unamboowe, Dhuli Smarakoon, Sanjaya Somasiri, Randika Alwis, Kevin Bandara, Denham Benedick, Thimira Galappathige, Harlique Wadood, Inzamam Mubarak, Priyan Fernanado, Ryle Madena, Mohamed Inchaf, Ujith Weerakoon, Sanchana Shiek, Sanchinthaka Perera, Anuradha Karunathilake, Thusara Warapitiya, D.Sivasubramaniam, Dharshana Suraweera, Sean Shadrach. |
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