“The Fight is on”- this season of school rugby is expected to become a rollicking affair. Wesley College in particular having been placed 4th last season and depicting ‘giant-killing’ qualities, prepare to lay claim to the league this season.
They have already sounded the bell with the Singer 7’s Plate victory beating Kingswood College.
They earned the privilege last year to enter the A division tournament battling with the best schools rugby teams in the island. After a lapse in the A division, winning the Western Province 7s and the Presidents Trophy 2013 was seen as a turning point in Wesley rugby. This year they were unfortunately knocked out in the 7s after losing to Isipathana 7 points to 10 points. However they went on to become Plate champions.
History of Rugby at Wesley
A strange tale heralds Wesley rugby. It is reported to have started at a cricket match in the February of 1953 when Wesley had defeated rivals Royal College in the traditional cricket fixture and as the last Royal wicket had fallen Wesleyities of all ages joined in the ecstatic celebrations that followed. The late Gordon Amaresekera, who was holding a rugby ball confiscated from a youngster, kicked it in the direction of the vanquished Royalists who picking the ball up ran in the direction of University College Grounds. All hell broke loose with Wesleyites of all ages giving chase to recover the ball and restore honour – a scrappy game of rugby had ensued which brought about encounters being arranged between the two schools and Rugby at Wesley began officially form 1954.
Over the years Wesely has produced top players for rugby namely Reggie Bartholomeusz, who went on to captain CR&FC and represent the country as a wing-three, Sin Sen Chang who turned out for the Havelocks sides, Bunny Saldin and Ronnie Asirwatham etc. Their most famous son however is Henry Terrance who went on to patrol Sri Lanka’s front row, representing CR & FC and captaining Havelocks Sport Clubs to a league victory. Samantha Lakshan and Niroshan Karunanayake also represented the Tuskers. Gavin Siegerstz, Rahul De Silva and Sithum Pieris represented Sri Lanka U 19 with the Rahul playing for CR & FC at present.
Last season
In 2013, Wesley clinched their first major School rugby title in the history of six decades. Wesley who was the runner up in the Division B League went on to the Milo Knockout tournament as favorites to win it under skipper and scrum-half Rahul De Silva. It was Zam Zam Zakey, Zam Zam Zey all the way as Wesley broke through the Trinity defense to win 34 points to 21 points in the final of the Milo Knockout tournament played at the Royal Sports Complex in Reid Avenue.
Players to watch-out for
Joel Tillekeratne (Captain)
Joel plays the key role as fly half and his decision making skills will be tested this time. Coach Henry is well impressed with Joel’s improvement and said he will be very tactful in terms of kicks and gaining the opposite territory.
Sithum Peiris
Sithum played for the Under 20 Sri Lanka Rugby team last year and will be delighted to wear the No 8 shirt once again. He is a great team player very fast and agile in the set pieces especially in scrum breaks. When needed he can also be valuable asset to play as a centre who will understand the game well.
Lahiru Prasad & Ishara Madushan
Full back Prasad is a comfortable high ball carrier and he opts to tactical kicking on the attack. Ishara on the other hand is a strong powerful centre who is a good defender too. Any opposition will find it hard to break the bridge between him and Prasad. These two have a thorough understanding and a good combination when the ball is carried by them in the attack.
Seniors coming back for this season would be Ishaaq Juranpathy, Shezaad Hamidon, Yohan Perera to be the back line of the team. However, 12 players are out of the last year’s squad including the likes of Rahul De Silva, Joel Perea, Sajith Ariyawangsa and Namal Rajakaruna which is a big blow.
Coaching team
Coach Henry Terrence takes the reigns this season. Big Henry needs no introduction as he turned out for CR & FC and then captained the Champion Havelocks side in 2012. His fortune was continued with winning the Milo knockouts (President’s trophy) last season for the first time to Wesley as a debut coach and he looks promising to win the league and keep counting on achievements.
Assistant Coach and Trainer: Amal Pathirana was the vice captain of Wesley in 2006 playing as a fly half. Amal has been outstanding with the boys as he does a lot of work on speed, power, endurance and skills with the three quarters. His knowledge and experience is well gelled with the team and his mate Henry.
The Squad
Props
Zayan Sabah / Suminda madampe / Amila Dilshan / Lahiru Madumadawa / Vishaana Wijesiri / Shamail Amit / Deshan Gamage
Hooker
W.L.T.H. Maduwantha / Azwar Hamidon
Locks
Shazaad Hamidon / Anuja Isara / Kavindu Sankalpa / Mithila Perera
Flankers
Pasindu Fernando / Zurikath Noor / T.Anojithan / S.Peiris / Fazil Fazal / Asanka Hashan
No 8
Sithum Peiris
Scrum half
Tharindu Asela / Omar Rizan / Shakeel Juranpathy
Fly half
Joel Tillekeratne
Centres
Yohan Perera / Ishara Madushan / Denister Goonethilake / Awantha Hashan
Wingers
Chamika Kusal / Rashdan Irshad / Rashdan Irshad / Muzmi Doray / Taariq Jurangpathy / Anuj Edema
Full back
Lahiru Prasad / Asantha Hashan
Quotes
“We won’t stop there, we are working hard, boys are in the gym every day, putting in work during ground sessions and we are confident and looking forward for the season” stated the enthusiastic Joel Tillakaratna to ThePapare.com.
He further addressed the Wesley fans “Come support us, we will bring back the cup”
“Boys are pumped up after lifting the plate 7’s. Hopefully they will perform well in the league” said Henry Terrence (Head Coach) in his chat with ThePapare.com
ThePapare.com wishes Wesley College the very best in the upcoming season
Wesley College Rugby 2014 – Joel Tillekeratne (Captain)
Wesley College Rugby 2014 – Henry Terence (Coach)
