Twelve time league title contenders and the front runners of the Sri Lankan rugby sphere, Kandy Sports Club prepare themselves ahead of their greatest challenge faced so far; to bring the celebrated league title back to the hills.
A Bit of Old
Established during the days of the British, Kandy Sports Club celebrates its 140th anniversary this year since its inception in 1874. The institution which was centered around Nittawela grew to be the attraction for rugby by the year 1954 when the club first took the field against the Planters FC. The year 1992 marks a significant breakthrough in the history of the club as they went on to secure their first ever league title in the rugby arena. Since this milestone achievement in a time span of 21 years, they have registered 17 league titles and have gone on to create a legacy in the sport in the island supplying the national grid with enough stalwarts to compete in the international circuit. Some of the greats who have made the hall of fame are namely Priyantha Ekanayaka, Nalaka Weerakkody, Sanjeewa Jayasinghe and Haris Omar.
Lately
Over the past two years the competitiveness of the oval shaped game in the country saw a major leap forward with the emergence of new clubs who had been defunct for a considerable time. With this saw the glory days for Kandy SC coming to a standstill, and their efforts were being overshadowed by the emerging sides. Despite finishing the season on the top three over the two years, Kandy Sports Club had to bid adieu to many of their records such as their 13 year unbeaten record at home and their Clifford cup possession.
Leaving history aside, the club looks forward positively towards the dawn of a new renascent era to bring back the lost legacy.
Driving Force
Senior-man and former Sri Lankan skipper Sean Wijesinghe will be the key personnel in the Kandy lineup and would be the player to look forward to this season. Sean who learnt his basics at Trinity College Kandy made his debut for Kandy way back in the year 2002. With over 12 years of experience, he takes up duties once again to lead the outfit one last time. The previous instance he captained the side was in 2008 where Kandy emerged undisputed champions taking home league title, sevens title and the Clifford cup.
Long standing advocates of the Kandy Rugby, the dynamic centers Pradeep Liyanage and Gayan Weeraratna will join the team after missing out a complete season due to injury. Alongside the duo will be the prolific Sri Lanka sevens skipper Fazil Marija at fly half who has been in top form in both international and local arenas. Together with Roshan Weeraratna at the position of scrum half and they compile to be the most experienced three quarter line-up in the entire league.
The Sri Lankan try-vending machine, national cap Anurudda Wilwara will be Kandy’s force forward this season while he would be readily assisted by the Oshan and Lavanga brothers and the Damian and Nigel brothers.
Kishore Jehan will once again be the first choice for the No1 jersey while new arrival Dimithra Wjiethunga is expected to start alongside Jehan in a fortnight. Jehan has been a regular in the Kandy outfit for a quite a long time and expertise in handling the opposition will come in handy. The Kandy locks will contain the senior-men Shashika Jayawardena and Nisal Dinuka who would bolster the attack further. Saliya Kumara joins the rest of the experienced hands as full-back and will no doubt be an impact. With skipper Sean coming in at the NO8 position, it would be interesting to see how the quarter backs communicate with this terrifying front row in intensive play.
New Blood
Contrary to the earlier years, the Sports Club is flourishing with a vast number of new players making their way to the club arena. Thilina Wijesinghe and Buwenaka Udampola; both who played an active role in the legendary Dharmaraja outfit in 2013 will be a highlight amongst the new blood in the side. Thilina who is on his second year at the club is most likely to be a starting option for full back while Udampola will debut for Kandy this season. Another highlight will be Royal’s prolific kicker and captain Arshard Jamaldeen who is set to make his appearance in the Kandy jersey. Among the rest of the new blood include the former skipper of St. Anthony’s Yakoob Ali & Fazlur Rehman. The only talent absorbed from the 2014 season will be Trinity’s center-back Lochana Girihagama.
Coincidently it should be the first instance that four sets of brothers have made it to the Kandy team. Starting off with Roshan Weeraratna and Gayan Weeraratna, Lavanga Perera & Oshan Perera, Damian Ratwatte and Nigel Ratwatte and Fazil Marija and Faizal Marija will be the siblings who would represent the Kandy side this year.
Speaking to ThePapare, skipper Sean Wijesinghe feels that it is his duty and responsibility bring back the league title before he bids adieu to his 12 year long stint at the club. He mentions that he together with the greats of Kandy SC which include Saliya, Roshan, Gayan and Pradeep shares the similar notion and that would no doubt be going for glory this season. He stated that year by year the going gets tough, in his perspective Kandy has finally being gifted with a complete side who will pose a massive threat to their counterparts.
Lochana Girihagama, the youngest in the Kandy squad feels that it is indeed an honor for him to play alongside these great stalwarts who he had only been able to witness from the pavilions while he accepts and follows his captain Sean Wijesinghe as a role model in life.
Foreign Ammo
Kandy will receive the services of three foreign players this season. Last year’s trio made a huge impact in Kandy’s game play and a similar approach will be expected by them as well. Last year’s Sharks flanker South African born Chris Colete and fly half Quinton Crocker will be the individuals absorbed through the internal framework while Fijian born New Zealand national Eroni Galdolo will be the third addition to the club. Colete and Croacker in their earlier run with the Hambantota Sharks made a considerable impact on the game and with the duo already accustomed to the Sri Lankan rugby pattern, it would be a plus point in favor of the club. Colete is most likely to play alongside skipper Wijesinghe at flank while Quinton Croacker will be their additional ammunition in the three-quarter line.
Coaching Contingent
After a lapse of a season, South African Johann Taylor is back in the country to resume duties as head coach for Kandy. Johann Taylor having coached the Kandy side for six consecutive wins from 2006-2011 will be opting to turn things around this year and set Kandy on the winning track once again.
Final Verdict
Kandy Sports Club had been a predominant figure head in the Rugby arena in the country long providing fans with exciting rugby and mesmerizing the fraternity with star-quality play. Despite their efforts being overshadowed in the past two years, they field in a comprehensive side this season to fight for their lost legacy.
Troops
Props
Kishore Jahan/ Suhail Dimithri/ Piyumal Manchanayaka/ Yakoob Ali/ Lasitha Attanagoda
Hook
Damith Dissanayaka / Uchitha Jayasooriya
Locks
Gayan Ratnyaka, Shashika Jayawardena, Nisal Dinuka, Faizal Marija
Third Row
Sean Wijesinghe / Asitha Ratnayaka/ Emori Roni/ Chris Coelete
Half Back
Roshan Weeraratna
Stand Off
Fazil Marija/ Quinton Croacker
Centers
Pradeep Liyanage/ Gayan Weeraratna/ Damian Ratwatte/ Buwaneka Udampola/ Arshad Jamaldeen
Wings
Lochana Girihagama/ Darshana Etipola/ Anurudha Wilwara/ Nigel Ratwatte
Full Back
Saliya Kumara/ Thilina Wijesinghe
