Wesley College who have been in and out of the list of top contenders in the schools rugby circuit are all set with veteran Henry Terrance to boost off the season with Kingswood College, Kandy.
In the Recent Past
Wesley College commencing their rugby season six decades ago will be playing their 60th rugby season this year. Ending the last season on a high note as the plate champions under the captaincy of Joel Thilekaratene the double blues emerged as the champions of the Presidents Knockout Trophy in the year 2013 under the captaincy of Rahul De Silva. Playing in the sixtieth year their inputs in to the club rugby franchise has been indeed immense. The likes of Henry Terrance, Samantha Laskshan and Dulanjana Wijesinghe made an impact on the arena and went on to club and national level.
Current Season
The lads from Campbell Park commenced their practices as early in the month of October. Playing with a fairly young and inexperienced side, they will have to do their homework on each of the contenders. Ending as the plate semifinalists on the sevens circuits the Wesleyites have mainly focused on their strength and condition which includes a lot hours spent on the gymnasium. While power training is given prominence, balls skills, speed and agility of the players too will be practiced under the guidance of an experienced coaching staff.
The Driving Force
The double blues led by the third year coloursman Oma Kutubdeen will play himself as the full back for the side. Having one more year in his pocket he will be categorized as one of the players who uses his intelligence and thinks on his feet. Possessing the ability to play in any position his speed, foot skills and ball skills will be tested this season.
Pasindu Wickeramsinghe the vice-captain of the side is also the most experienced for the double blues this year. Playing himself as the flanker his speed will be his most potent asset.
Third year coloursman also the fastest lad on the lawn for the double blues Chamika Kusal will be a player to watch out this season for any opposition. Playing in the position of a center, he will team up with the fly-half to lapses in defense which will create the opportunity for the outfit.
The men behind the scene
National cap veteran Henry Terrance will take on the duty of preparing the boys for the season this time. Being an old boy of the college, playing in the national and club franchise of the sport he will know how to be a coach behind a winning side. Teaming up with him is Dennis Amal Pathirana who will be in-charge of the lad’s fitness aspects and the back division. Master-in-charge Nimal Bandara and the Sports Administrator of the college Mr. Clifford Rodrigo will be the men in charge of the finances and the administration of the side.
In their own words
Coach Henry Terrance sharing his thoughts with ThePapare.com “We are starting off the season with the big match against Kingswood and it is nice feeling to start of the season in that manner. We are ready for the challenge and the boys have been preparing well and we are in good shape”.
Skipper Oma answering the question the preparations for the season answered “We have been preparing well for the league from the start even though we had the seven circuit so our main focus is the league. We have a young side this time but the coaching staff has helped us a lot to improve our abilities and face the league”.
Squad
Prop: Zayan Sabar – Amila Dilshan – Vinu Gamage – Shamil Amit – Shohail Shafraz – Ashan Maheesha –
Hooker: Thavaraja Anojithan – Azwad Hamidon –
Second row: Kavindu Sankalpa – Kasun Perera – Imesh Chathuranga – Thimira Ananda –
Flanker: Pasindu Fernando – Mithila Perera – Yohan Perera – Asanka Hashan – Dilshan Maduranga – Mohammed Shibly – Shashika Ashan –
Scrum Half: Lee Avishaka – Taariq Jurangththy –
Fly Half: Omar Kutubdeen – Lee Avanatha – Rajitha Silva – Mohammed Zubair –
Center: Chamika Kusal – Denister Goonethileke – Avantha Hashan – Dayan Sabar – Dulan Jayarathene – Oshan Devinda –
Wing: Rashad Irshad – Akhila Amirtharaj – Avishaka Jayaweera – Dineru Ranaweera – Dayan Bahardeen – Mohammed Shakib – Adrian Anderson
Full Back: Muzny Dooray – Asantha Hashan
Wesley College Captain Omar Kutubdeen
Wesley College Coaches Henry Terrence & Denis Amal
