After ending a 38-year league title drought, Trinity College Rugby is aiming to embark on a new journey to regain the glory of their golden days. Ahead of another high-stake school season, the college has appointed reliable place-kicking three-quarter, 4th-year coloursman, Shan Althaf, as the incumbent captain targeting a title defence.
Without any doubt, Shan Althaf came into the limelight after nailing a crucial 53-metre penalty to win the 78th Bradby Shield against the mighty Royalists. The video clips of that magnificent performance went viral on social media for over a month. Shan started his sporting career as a football player, and still he stands as the star player of the Trinity football outfit. When he got into rugby, he successfully managed to transform his soccer skills into an oval-shaped ball game. His magnificent skills gave Trinity the cutting edge in the nail-biting encounters and were instrumental in clinching the School Rugby League title after decades.
Though he started the game as a trusted place kicker, later he developed as a leader with better game-reading ability and tactical insight. Hence, he was promoted as the vice captain of the side during the last school season. This future prospect of Sri Lanka rugby also shined with his magical ability to absorb all the pressure and ability to deliver his best under tense situations. Shan’s excellent 43-metre drop goal against Wesley College was a testament to that, and without his magnificent three-pointer, Trinity’s fate in the league would have been a totally different story. During this year, Shan’s unwavering performance and commitments were paid off by bringing a league title to his alma mater and earned him the captaincy for the upcoming year.
The rising talent from the suburb of Gampola has also been selected for the Sri Lankan under-18 side, and he was a key member of the bronze medal-winning team at the Asia Rugby Emirates Under-18 Sevens tournament held in Malaysia.
Another 4th-year coloursman, Nisith Kumarasinghe, has been given the duties of a vice captain during the upcoming season. Nisith was a regular member of the league-winning Trinity side, and he usually plays as a flanker and is reputed for his tackling efficiency. Nisith was the pack leader, and he also handled the vice-captain duties during the previous school’s rugby season.
Apart from Nisitha, the 3rd-year coloursman and nippy half-back, Udan Wijekoon has also been appointed as the co-vice-captain of the Hill Country Lion’s. Udan is a bright game reader who usually adds some spice into the game when he is on the field.
Can Shan Althaf and his hill-country lions go all the way for a title defence mission and add another trophy to its cabinet? Only time will tell!
