One of the most ferocious and passionate contenders of schools Rugby, Isipathana College or the Green machine always adds tremendous flare to the league. Thrashing all the top sides in the recently concluded schools 7s tournament, Isipathana has surely set the tone for things to come.
History
The birth of Rugby for Greenlands was in 1960 playing as an under 17 team under Randy Keller before the name was changed to Isipathana in 1961. Their first under 19 team was formed in 1963 with Brian Ingram as captain and Y.C. Chang as coach as a result they won the first historical match played against St. Anthony’s Kandy 8 to 3 points. Dayalu Perera was the man who kept the very first try for Isipathana. Since then Isipathana made remarkable players to play for their college and the country in the likes of Nalin De Silva, Hisham Abdeen, Selvin Sally, Bandula Mallikarachy, Shamly Nawaz and more lately Rizah Mubarak, Sajith Saranga, Dinusha Chathuranga, Anuranga Walpola and Srinath Sooriyabandara.
Recent Flashback
Moving fourth to the 21st century, the Isipathana Rugby timeline marks specific incidents in the early years in the sport. In the year 2102 Isipathana lads registered themselves as double champions of the year by winning both the League and the Knockout Championships under the brilliant captaincy of Kumendra Dharmadasa. Yet the Green brigade`s run last year was not at all successful. With many controversial decisions playing tricks with them, it was one of the most unimpressive years they have had. With all the stakes at play they are ready to give themselves a chance this year to rise up stronger, greater and higher.
Veteran Nilfer Ibrahim in Coaching Duties
In a complete new version of Isipathanian rugby, they have opted to lay the lads in the hands veteran coach Nilfer Ibrahim. This gentleman needs no introduction to the rugby field having coached teams who excelled in the sport. Ibrahim`s coaching duties commenced with the undertaking of the duties as the coach of Dharmaraja College, Kandy and went on to coach all the leading schools in the sport at the Kandy district. Ibrahim is a product of Kingswood College, Kandy and prior taking the duties as of Isipathana, he has successfully led Trinity College to great heights where they emerged runners-up in both the School`s League and the Knockout tournaments. He also coached the national sevens team 2013 and the U 20 national side for the Junior Asiad in 2009
Along with Nilfer Sri Lankan Hooker Anuranga Walpola will team up as the assistant coach for the year 2014.
Needless to say Isipathanna rugby is in splendid hands this season which they clearly proved with the head start of the Rugby Seven`s.
Players to Watch out for
Senal Deelaka ( C )
Coloursman Senal will be playing in his favourite position of Flanker where he is expected be able to lead his team right from the front in the season. Having represented the team in two consecutive seasons and being appointed as the Captain in the middle of the last year, Senal has tasted the agony of defeat which is the catalyst for focus this time around.
Dhanuka Dassanayake
Vice Captain for this year`s season Dhanuka Dassanyake is one of the senior and experienced players of the green brigade. Coach Ibrahim states that his breaks and his ball skills are immensely useful for the team. As the Vice- Captain he will play a supporting role in the team helping skipper to lead the troops. As every other key player Dhanuka too holds immense experience and powers up the forward line together with Darling.
Ashan & Omalka
Ashan Darling is one of the most outstanding players which Isipathana has produced and is expected to police the front row with gusto in his 3rd and final year. Omalka Gunerathna came under the tutelage of coach Nilfer he when played in the U 18 team for the Asian Youth games. He is one of the best forwards that the green brigade holds in its bag. He is a mentally and a physically strong player and one of the key players to watch out for.
Gunerathna together with the Dassanyake, who is extending his hand as the Prop forward, and the skipper Senal, Isipathana field in a comparatively new outfit in their locks for the upcoming season 2014.
They have conveyed their intentions to bring it on fierce and are putting in the miles with hard practise on all the five days of the week. Gym trainer Dinesh Kumar accents the need for fitness which is vital in a rugby game.
Conclusion
Isipathana College will enter into the 2014 season with hopes of reviving lost glory and fame from the reprieve they received. With proper guidance and coaching this year, such a feat is not at all impossible to achieve. Their conquest this year would start from one of the heavy weights in the tourney, Royal College as they would play their first game on the 22nd of March.
The Squad :
Props
Dhanuka Dissanayake (VC) / Ashan Darling / Kaveesha Wishmantha / Jeewaka Jeewantha .
Hooker
Hasitha Mapitigama /Dilan Devinda /Ranush Deyashan / Nisal Deshitha / Udesh Lakshan.
Locks
Akila Perera /Sachin Dulshan /Yasiru Wishmitha /Prabath Bhavantha.
Flankers
Senal Deelaka (C /Omalka Gunerathene / Theekshana Himanuwan.
No. 8
Dhanushka Bandara
Scrum-half
Sudam Pahinda / Chamodh Fernando/ Harsha Maduranga / Sashmitha Lakshan / Gayan Kavinda.
Fly –half
Dilshan Viduranga / Rehan Rumesh / Isuru Umayanga .
Center
Chathura Dilshan / Charana Jayasinghe / Kushan Indunil / Matheesha Sarathchandra / Kushan Indunil.
Wing three quarters
Asitha Gayeshan / Dilan Gallage / Salinda Costa / Dilip Madushan / Naveen Dilshan / Damith Senal.
Full Back
Sumudu Anuradha / Yoshitha Dilshan.
Quotes
Last year`s season should have been a victorious season for us but we failed due to some mistakes that we made nevertheless emerging as the seven`s champions we are ready to prove that we are back on track for a victorious season on ahead. Boy`s are up for daily practices with a positive mentality which is a good sign for the upcoming season.” stated Senal Deelaka skipper of Isipathana in conversation with ThePapare.com
Nilfer Ibrahim taking on the outfit as coach this season had this to say “ Definietly team like Isipathana will suit my coaching style as a result we want to be the triple champs this year”
We wish the all the very best !!!
Isipathana College Rugby 2014 – Senal Deelaka (Captain)
Isipathana College Rugby 2014 – Nilfer Ibrahim (Coach)
