“The Thoras of 2013 deserve to be unbeaten” – Jivan Goonatilleke
S. Thomas College Mount-Lavinia has claim to a proud and illustrious history of over 50 years of competitive rugby. In 1955, together with St. Joseph’s, the Thomians joined Trinity, Royal, St. Peter’s and Zahira in the Sri Lanka schools Rugby circle.
The School by the sea has produced many stars of the game over the years including the likes of Viraj Iddipily, Asanga Seneviratne, Savantha De Seram, Chaminda Rupasinghe, Ajantha Cooray, Michael Jayasekera, Shane Pinder and the famed Goonethileke twins Jivan and Jayan as well as recent stars of the game such as Ashean Karathelis, Wasim Thajudeen, Yoshitha Rajapakse, Anurudhdha Wilwara, Sudharshana Muththuthanthri and many more that have excelled both on and off the field of rugby.
After the Thomians were demoted from the top division in 2011, the famed Thomian “grit” and legacy came under heavy scrutiny and many questions began to rise. Was this so called ‘grit’ and almost mystic fighting spirit of the Thomians just a myth from a time long passed? Many were quick to pass judgment as Thomians and non-Thomians began doubting their lads. However the past two years’ failures (demotion and the failed attempt to be re-promoted) may have become the sacrificial lambs in a greater story to be told.
The Thomians of 2013 under the captaincy of five-eight Devin Jayasinghe kicked off the season of 2013 dominated their somewhat weaker opposition, inflicting defeat after defeat within the confines of the B division making no mistake on solidifying their hope of rising from the ashes to battle the titans of schools rugby. Thus far this season the boys from Mount-Lavinia have trounced every opponent they faced.
18th March – STC vs Prince of Wales – 62/0 – STC won
23rd March – STC vs C.C.W.Kannangara – 46/08 -STC won
07th April – STC vs St.Sylvesters – 45/09 STC won
26th April – STC vs Thurstan – 36/0 STC won
05th May – STC vs Ananda – 43/25 – STC won
11th May – STC vs Lumbini – 95/0 – STC won
31st May – STC vs Mahanama – 47/17 STC won
The Thomians most significant test of might came a little over a month ago when they went up against the roaring “lions” of Trinity College, Kandy. The leaders of the ‘A’ division points table at the time who had managed to remain unbeaten against much stronger opposition. After a hard fought 80mins which both teams threw everything but the kitchen sink at each other, the Thomians stood tall having won 29-15 to secure the coveted Cannon De Saram trophy for the first time since 2010. A testament to the fact that no matter what division they me be in, they are still in a league of their own.
Having toppled the Lions, last weekend the Thomians faced St. Josephs College, a school with equally rich tradition and history. The Josephians have held the Lady Jayathilake shield for the last 2 years after having taken it from the Thomians in 2011. Jayasinghe and his warriors once again decimated their opposition with a score line of 39-17 taking back the coveted shield.
Many players have stood tall for the Thomians in their recent endeavors, non-more so than their skipper Jayasinghe. An absolute perfectionist with the boot and a maestro with the ball in hand, he has led by example all season long. Controlling the game and pulling the strings in almost a puppet- master like fashion, Devin has put every opposition he faced on the back foot.
ThePapare.com managed to have a brief chat with the Thomian fullback and exuberant youth Aathif Jawarth. Although insignificant in stature Jawarth brings a massive level of skill on to the field. Pin point accuracy with his kicks and his carving counter runs make him one of the Thomians most potent weapons. When asked about the build-up to the present season and the support and encouragement of the school – “The senior players especially Devin has a great desire to return college to its rightful place. And he lets that flow down in to the junior players as well. Initially we ran in to short comings with forming a pack after the leaving of 2012 s experienced forwards unit but have now overcome that issue as many youngsters have stepped up to the plate.” The Thomian number 8 Shanel Perera whose breaks are almost surgical precision has been giving the Thomians a solid platform to orchestrate both offensive and defensive maneuvers.
“We were a young and in experienced side. We have no stars, it is our hard work, determination and commitment towards our training that keeps us playing as a team. Our Coaches guide us well and we make sure we leave it all out on the field” deputy skipper and skilled outside center Hashaka Senanayake added. “We want to be a star team and not a team of stars” is all the skipper Devin Jayasinghe had to say when we asked him about his unit.
Light must be shed on the tireless efforts of the coaching staff as it has proved to be excellent in conditioning the young athletes physically and mentally. The brains behind the operation is Australian born Grant Dwyer; a master strategist; who educates his players in the art of shifting odds and ‘controlling the game’. Jivan Goonetilleke is responsible for the backs and loose forwards whilst former Sri Lanka prop forward Dhanushka Botheju is responsible for the powerhouse tight five.
ThePapare also latched on to coach Jivan Goonetilleke and asked him what it felt like to taking over a down and out Thomian team – “Well from a coaching perspective it wasn’t a bad thing as no one expected much so there was less pressure to perform. At the beginning there was an aura of complacency and little ambition which is a backdrop from getting pushed around by other schools over the last season or two but that changed very quickly. The coaching staff put emphasis on the positives of being in the B Division. It gave us an ideal opportunity to groom a larger squad of players, most of whom can play U20 for the next few seasons. The results I feel is reflective of this opportunity.
We also asked him the secret of this turn-around and what it meant to him and other Thomians. “Rugby is special at STC and to Thomians young and old. I’m just really proud and honoured to have been given the opportunity to work with such a young but determined bunch. It amazes me how the success of this team matters to so many people. Throughout my years of being involved in STC as a player, teacher, coach and ordinary old boy I have seen it all, the victorious STC teams of the early 1990’s, 2000 and 2009 to the lowest ebb we found ourselves over the last few seasons. My involvement this year was aimed at restituting our integrity which I feel safe to say we have managed to achieve and gone beyond. In this connection our Rugby Director Mr. Grant Dwyer and fellow coach Danushka Boteju have had a huge influence. However, nothing is possible without the fantastic spirit displayed by the boys. As the great Mohammed Ali said “The will to win is greater than the skill”.
The Thomians would have to hone their every mastered skill for the monumental clash with Royal College at Havelock grounds this Saturday to regain the Michael Gunarathne trophy after a lapse of 8 years. STC will hope to repeat history as Havelocks happens to be the only grounds they have had success against Royal on in the last decade.
