CWW Kannangara make maiden entry to the division one school`s rugby circuit with a side revamped both mentally and physically to display a splendid show first up.
In the Recent Past
CWW Kannangara originated with the oval shaped ball game way back in the 90`s when unfortunately inside politics halted their rugby. Despite the dark patch they went through they reinstated themselves in 2002 and revitalized for a long journey. They have gone on to become consistent performers of the game achieving goal after goal. The most preeminent objective of an outfit would be play to “A” division rugby in Group “A”. These lads under the captaincy of Dinesh Lakmaha turned the tables around last season when they displaced D S Senanayake College to quality to compete with the school rugby giants in Group “A”.
Current Season
The lads from Kannagara started off their pre-season practices in October but since the eleven players had to take a break from the sport due to ordinary level exams it was tough to hold consistency in practices which was the main reason they excluded themselves from the seven’s circuit earlier this year. The eleven players made their way back to the team after the exams and since then they have been doing training emphasizing the areas of physical fitness, match situations, speed and the ball skills of the players. The elementary target of the outfit is to remain within the first four schools in the first round.
Driving Force
Skipper Madhawa Sathsara will be leading the boys in red this season. Being one of the most experienced campaigners in the side, this is his fifth consecutive time playing first XV rugby for his college. Shifting his position from full back he will play as the starting scrum-half. The pace he carries within himself , will indeed help him to move swiftly across the lawn creating play by play with the knowledge he possesses on the game.
Lahiru Lakashan the prime contributor of a successive season last year will hope to make it a winning season this time around. Playing in the crucial position of center he will be a player to watch out for the opposition. With vast experience under his belt equally matched with game knowledge he will be his skipper’s partner in crime throughout the season.
Gihan Madushan occupying the position of flanker will be the next player in the list of key players. Excelling in the defense department, he is known to be a dominating tackler of the opposing contender. It will indeed be a challenge to any player to rush through his hands to the try line to score against them. Inheriting the ability to take a clear read on the game and to analyze the match situation then and there , he will be an important asset to the outfit.
Men behind the scene
The man-in-charge of the Colombo – 08 lads would be Shirantha Jayalath. Acting as the assistant coach of the side since 2009 he will know every inch of the player as a father knows his son. Tiron Wickermasinghe will be acting as the fitness trainer of the outfit making sure the lads will be pumped with adrenaline for the season. While Shirantha guides the side Shanen De Silva will be specially looking into the kicking and the three-quarters of the side making sure that they don`t leave any area untouched for the season. Chamara Illangakoon and the rest of the rugby committee will take care of the finances and the administrative side of the team for this season.
In their own words
Coach Jayalath in answer to our question on the preparation for the season answered “It is the first time that we are playing division one rugby in school so it is a big achievement and we have been doing good training for the past few months and preparing ourselves both mentally and physically”.
The skipper sharing his thoughts with ThePapare.com “I am the first captain of the first team from our school who’s going to play division one rugby for the first time and it is not an easy task but we are ready for it. We know what is ahead of us so we have been training morning and the evening”.
Squad
Prop – Visal Kokila – Sumudu Priyanth – Tharindu Shehan
Hooker – Sunimal Sudharashana
Second row: Nimesh Kavinda – Himantha Hirushan – Dilshan Devinda – Yasintha Laskshan – Shahid Azver
Flanker: Gihan Madushanka – Chamara Jeewantha – Hashan Chathuranga – Pinsara Randunu
NO.O8: Haritha Vinoj
Scrum Half: Menuka Visal
Fly Half: Shehan Deepal
Center: Lahiru Lakshan
Wing: Joel Krushan – Shenal Shenuka – Asitha Kumara – Chamod Dilshan – Wathsara Madushan
Full Back: Madawa Sathsara (Scrum-half)
CWW Kannangara Coach Shirantha Jayalath – Schools Rugby 2015
CWW Kannangara Captain Madhawa Sathsara – Schools Rugby 2015
