Dharmaraja College, Kandy after lapse of a year are all set to seek vengeance to repeat the 2013 success.
A bit of history
Being one of the preeminent institutions to play the oval shaped ball game in the central province; the lineage of Rugby at Dhramaraja College is rich. Being sent down to the B division in the year 2011, Rajans bounced back and fulfilled their vengeance when they had a fantastic run where they ended up as the unbeaten champions in B division in the following year 2012. Continuing the dream run they thrashed all the contenders in the A division in the year 2013 when they concluded that year as unbeaten champions yet again.
Key Players
Skipper Viraj Weerasekara playing in the position of center will lead the side upfront this season. Playing in his third and final year this experienced campaigner is also the place-kicker for the outfit. Having played the game for that long, his experience, agility and ball skills will be the key features which will get the outfit over the line.
Lahiru Hettiarachichi partnering up with the skipper will play the position of second center. Leading the side upfront together with the skipper he is also playing in his third year of the school rugby franchise. He will be the partner in crime of the skipper as he creates lapses in defense to score against the opponents.
Kasun Prabath, the third player in the outfit who is playing his third year in the game will be a player to watch out this season. Having three players who have immense potential plus experience up their sleeves, Rajan`s will for sure make an impact this season. Prabath will be playing in the position of the scrum half and is he known to be one of the best feeders of the ball to the line.
Coaching contingent
Veteran Radhika Hetticarachchi will take on the duty of guiding the Rajan`s into limelight this time too. This gentlemen needs no introduction to the Sri Lankan rugby as he is a known icon playing national rugby for fourteen long years and played in the club arena for seventeen long years. He commenced his coaching career in the year 2001 and since has had a fantastic run guiding Dhramaraja College as unbeaten champions in both 2012 and 2013.
In their own words
Coach Radhika Hettiarachchi answering our question on the preparations and the strength of the team “Well we began training as early as possible around two months ago, then sevens came by and now we have been focusing on the fifteens since the last month. We have balanced side but the strength of our backs can be used to win games”.
Skipper Weerasekara sharing his thoughts with ThePapare.com “We have nine players from last year and with the new blood we are all set to go and play well out there. We have the support of the old boys as well so with that support and with our strength, I hope we can make an impact this season”.
Squad:
Prop: Shehan Harshana – Pramud Priyashan – Romesh Anandaraja –
Hooker: Heshan Gamage – Asanka Pradeep –
Second row: Vishan Sagasekara – Chalindu Wijesinghe – Anjula Umesh –
Flanker: Maneesha Pawan – Manushka Kumara – Pramudith Hasaranga – Adeepa Kadupitiya – Nipun Tharaka –
NO.O8: Basu Rajapakse –
Scrum Half: Tharusha Galapitiya – Kasun Prabath – Ushan Arampath –
Fly Half: Chamika Perera –
Center: Viraj Weerasekara – Bawantha Udangamuwa – Tharaka Rathnayake – Lahiru Hettiarachchi – Pasindu Vihanga –
Wing: Didulanga Heshan – Nimesh Rathnayake – Dulanjana Thavishka – Gihan Malinga – Rasanjana Helanjith – Charith Sanjana
Full Back: Gihan Ishara
Dharmaraja College Kandy Coach Radhika Hettiarachchi
Dharmaraja College Kandy Captain Viraj Weerasekara
