Trinity determined to excel at Rugby this year too

By Hafiz Marikar

Trinity College, Kandy which has been playing rugby since 1906, has a proud history. They not only have produced several champion teams, but have also provided the national team with the most number of ruggerites over the last sixty years. So in the coming season, they are hoping to give off their best undoubtedly and are sure to be on top under the leadership of Isuru Rangala.

Last year under 18 coach Thusitha de Silva an old boy, will be the local coach to the 1st XV. Thusitha was a crack center three-quarter and was famous for his dare devil tackling and later played for Kandy Sports Club with fame. He is the correct choice for this post. Thusitha along with British and Irish 'Lion' player Eric Roger, Patrick Miller the New Rugby Consultant cum Coach.

Miller, born on 23rd of September 1975, is a former Irish Rugby Union and Gaelic football player. As a rugby player, Miller played among others in the likes of Old Wesley, Leicester Tigers, Ulster, Leinster, the Barbarians, Ireland and the British and Irish Lions. After retiring as a rugby player, he took up football and here too excelled as a national player of repute.

In 1996, Miller joined Leicester Tigers and went on to make twelve appearances for them in the Heineken Cup. His impressive performances for the Tigers saw him make his debut for the Ireland National Team and then represent the British and Irish Lions.

Coach Miller played for many teams

While playing for the Tigers, he also attended both Loughborough University, where he obtained a degree in Physical Education at the Sheffield Hallam University. Coach Miller played for many teams. Between 1997 and 2005, Miller made 48 appearances and scored 30 points, including 6 tries for Ireland.

He made his international debut in a friendly game against Italy on 4 January 1997. He went on to play for Ireland at both the 1999 and 2003 Rugby World Cups. He scored two of the six tries in one game against Namibia during the 2003 Rugby World Cup. He made his final appearance for Ireland in a friendly game against Japan on 19 June 2005.

After playing just four senior internationals for Ireland, Miller was selected by the British and Irish Lions for their 1997 tour of South Africa. He played in five games during that tour, lining up against the Border Bulldogs, Northern Transvaal, Natal and the Free State Cheetahs.

Trinitians hard at practice

Trinitians were seen hard at practices, their Principal, Brig. Udaya Ariyaratne, a Trinitian himself, is right behind the rugby squad ably supporting and providing all the necessary requirements to ensure the team doesn't lack any vital needs, besides, he has shown great interest in all sports in the school since he took office at Trinity and the records will reveal that he is not only a tower of strength, both personally and financially, but has proved the schools credentials to great heights in the recent past. He follows up every aspect in a more professional manner with the school at heart in all activities today.

Over here at Trinity College, rugby is the most popular sport and under this principal, who provides the players the best of facilities they have been doing well in the last couple of years.

Trinity's junior rugby too has been of a very high standard, they started playing junior rugby since 1956. At one time Trinity was known as the cradle of rugby, it was said that Trinitians take to rugby like ducks taking to water. Trinity is one school which has played a unique brand of rugby without considering victory the soul intention. The ultimate objective of Trinity rugby has always being to produce all-round side with good players.

Trinity eye schools 'sevens'

This year, too, Trinity's key games will be the prestigious Bradby Shield encounter, and with fifteen from last year's squad seen at practices, they are sure to do well in the school sevens which will kick off end of this month.

Last year under Tharindu Ratwatte enjoyed a had a good season, this great ruggerite ended his school career as Sri Lanka schools captain, all this attributed to the good leadership and playing up front being an example to the rest of the team. We hope he will continue to play club rugby as even there he will shine as a versatile rugby player for the future. He has joined the Law College and his club rugby will be based in Colombo. This time Trinity is blessed with over fifteen players from the last years squad, the players who are out from the last years team are skipper Tarinda Ratwatte, his cousin Dinuk Ratwatte, Sachana Shiek, Anurudha Karunatilake, Lochan Girihagama, Umesh Samarasekara.

The Trinitians who will be in the running are: Isuru Rangala - a senior player of the side and the leader of the side for the ensuing year. Diendra Ratwatte, Rushan Sasmin, Rayan Weerakoon, Kenneth Gamage, Rajitha Samarasekara, Nathen Yee, Newthmal Sakalassooriya, Sanaka Etulgama, Nagitha Ridhimlayade, Sechan Perera, Saranga Gunatilake, Sanushka Abeyawickrema are some of the players who are in top form to make the Trinity College Rugby Team for 2015.

The Trinity College Squad for 2015: Props - M. Ismail, M. Malish, D. Ratwatte, K. Wimalasiri, S. Ekanayake, Hookers - A. Sakalasooriya, N. Yee. 2nd Rows - S. Alahakoon, R. Karunathilaka, R. Madena, A. Bandara, P. Samarawickrama, A. Priyankara. Flankers - R. Samarasekara, S. Deane, R. Gunarathne. Number 8 - I. Rangala (Captain), R. Dhammapala. Scrum Half - A. Boyagoda, J.S. Peries, R. Bandaranayake. Fly Half - T. Perera, A. Edirisinghe, L. Wijesooriya. Centers - S. Dissanayake (Vice Captain), R. Weerakoon, S. Abewickrama, D. Dias, K. Palayangodha, S. Naveen. Wingers - I. Rathnayake, M. Wijethilaka, D. Dange, G. Pethiyagoda. Full Back - S. Gunathilake, S.K. Sangasinghe.

Dharmaraja vs TCK on March 20th

Trinity open the season with the inter-school rugby sevens end of this month and in the first round league will meet Dharmaraja College in the first game on 20th March at Bogambara Stadium, 28th against St.Anthonmy's College at Nittawella, 11th April S. Thomas' College, Colombo, 25th April Science College Colombo, 9th May the '1st leg' of the Bradby at Pallekelle Rugby Stadium, 23rd May the 2nd leg of the Bradby at Royal Complex.

Then comes the second round. Once again the MIC's is the experience school master Prabath Senanayake who has been giving his best in this position, Prabath knows how to look after the team on and off the field. Manoj Jayatissa is the team Manager, Manoj was a fine hooker during his school days and has played at his best for Trinity, in fact he also captained the team in the1980's.

The Old Trinitians Rugby scrummage headed by Rohan Abeyakoon with his able committee are all out to give off their best like in the past. Once again Singer Sri Lanka PLC and Land Rover are the sponsors. So, the good work done by the previous members is bound to be continued with rich dividends in the same efficient manner. Scrummage plays an important role with high-performance for the ongoing growth of rugby at Trinity College Kandy - "Respike Finum".