Dharmaraja comes good this rugby season with clean sheet

by S. M. Jiffrey Abdeen, Kandy Sports Corr.

RUGBY: Dharmaraja College, Kandy after several lean seasons, came good this year when they became unbeaten champions of Segment 'B' of the Schools Singer Trophy rugby tournament concluded recently.

They played nine matches and won all and most of them by convincing margins. They beat Prince of Wales 24-0, beat Zahira College, Maradana 41-15, beat St. Sylveaters College 36-12, beat Carey College 41-5, beat St. Aloysius College, Galle 50-0, beat Science College, Mt. Lavinia 11-10, beat Vidyartha College 32-8, beat St. Joseph's College, Colombo 43-15, beat Mahanama College 43-5.

Before the commencement of the season, the College and the Old Rajans Rugby Football Association planned their strategy and found that though their under 13 and 15 rugby teams in the past three years had performed well, they could not continue the winning trend into the senior level.

The Old Rajans Rugby Football Association Committee headed by the school Principal Mr. S. K. Keerthiratne devised on a now strategy to convert the fine performance at junior level to senior level too. Their new plan was for players to enjoy the game and give equal opportunity to studies as well.

The following plan was implemented:

1. The players should have equal opportunity to study as well as play rugby.

2. Strict discipline during practices and it was decided not to practise more than two hours a day.

3. Emphasise was placed on playing the game clean and hard while respecting the rules of the game. Winning though essential was Secondary but good rugby was the order.

4. Players should enjoy practices while maintaining discipline.

The Rajans started their practices as far back in October 2006 and in first three months, the accent was on power building and physical fitness.

Former Kandy SC and national ruggerite Asoka Jayasena as the Head coach was instrumental in guiding and directing the team into a fighting outfit. He not only maintained discipline but also encouraged the players to play with enthusiasm and enjoy the game. But, with six months into coaching, Asoka Jayasena left the country seeking greener pastures which he could not avoid.

With the departure of Asoka Jayasena, former Kinswood College, Kandy SC and Sri Lanka utility player Nilufer Ibrahim 'took over' the coaching of the side. A very quiet and amiable person, Nilufer Ibrahim had his own methods of coaching.

We developed the ruggerites into a very strong combination with emphasis on team work. Dr. Asoka Ratnayake and Dr. Vajira Jayasinghe gave the rugby pool all the needed medical and nutritional expertise. The dietary methods were controlled by guiding the parents.

A quiet man behind the scenes giving them advice and other valuable advice and sponsorship through his employers was former Kandy SC winger and Central Province General Manager of Sri Lanka Telecom Chinthaka Wijesuriya.

The others who contributed towards the success of the team were - Nutritionists Dr. Asoka Ratnayake, Trainer Anuja Mallawerachchi, Assistant Coach: Nimal Fernando, Master-in-Charge: Saliya Alexander, Prefect of Games: Sarath Mathararachchi, Coach: Nilufer Ibrahim. Medical Officer: Dr. Vajira Abeysinghe. Principal S. K. Keerthiratne gave them all the guidance and encouragement and looked into their needs.

The Rajans rugby pool comprised: Props: D. R. Gunatillake, D. N. Wijeratne, G. G. K. S. Rajapakse, Hookers: T. S. Bandara, S. Sajith, Locks: L. I. Alahakoon, K. A. N. Karunaratne, R. Ratnayake, L. T. Sellaperuma, S. Kangara, Flankers: R. Gunatunga, T. P. Galapitiya, D. B. Madawala.

No. 8: Isuru Muddannayake, Syrum half: T. Mahawatte, I. Wickramanayake, Thanuja Mahawatte, Fly-Half: R. C. Nawalage (Captain), Centres: G. R. K. B. Godigamuwa, A. Weerasekera, T. S. Dhanushkasiri, Wingers: K. Gunasekera, Nidos Wijesuriya, L. Wickramarachchi, Full back: Akila Hettiarachchi, A. D. Atipola.