Wesley run circles round Royal, win 22-18
by SRIAN OBEYESEKERE   Sunday Observer 29/06/03

Wesley College ran circles around Royal yesterday to halt the high-riding home team's unbeaten run this season by 22 points (penalty try, 2 goals and a try) to 18 (a penalty and three tries) at the home team grounds yesterday.

The final thin margin of victory is no indication of the fiery domination the Wesleyites from Campbell Place had over a Royal outfit that had basked before in the sun of an `achilees heel' at the end of the day.

But yesterday, it was not to be. Royal's heels failed in the face of the thundering onslaught dished out by a bunch of blue jersied terriers whose skipper, flanker Kasun de Silva it was a dream come true. "It was as a member of the under-15 team in 2000 that we Wesleyites built a strong first fifteen outfit to beat Royal," voiced the jubilant captain, a fourth year.

From the moment wing three-quarter Nuski Fareez fired a penalty try in the early minutes, it was a different ball game. Royal's customary rallying force wilted before some fleet footed passes by the Wesleyites. On the stroke of 'lemons' Royal sounded the boards from a Bahurdeen penalty to trail 3-7.

The jinxing of the more formidable Royalists heightened a schools' season of fluctuating fortunes. The metallic sounds of drums and music from strumming bands firing the imagination as fly half Rukshan Omar, wing three-quarter Niranjan Wijesinghe and full-back Yasas added dimension touching down. Royal could only reduce the deficit to 14-8 through a try from Danushka Rajapakse, but Wesley's pack was far superior enabling their try machinery to click.

The three unconverted tries, the second from Varun Wijewardene and third from skipper Rajiv Jayasundera, was also costly with Royal's place kicker failing to oblige for the second successive week.
 

Watch out for more shocks from Wesley
By M. Shamil Amit

Daily Mirror 24/06/2003
Of late the Wesleyites have made a big impact in the schools rugby arena. They have been able to remain among the first seven top class rugby playing schools which is a great achievement as they were heavy losers even against stronger not so long ago. But now that is history thanks to the previous coach Sanath Martis who took the boys under his wings and fine tuned them to become fighters.
 

When the present coach Dishantha Priyadharshana took over he had only to teach the basics as everything possible had been done. The present coach is continuing from where Sanath left but he should not be over confident and keep up the good work. With champion teams being produced at the junior level.
 

The Wesleyites are going to be a side to reckoned with in time to come. Today they are a very talented side who can overcome any fancied side of the day. Last season the side led by burly Lahiru Boteju they had a successful season when ending up in the fifth position in the league championship.
 

They had the honour of defeating the reigning league champions St. Peter's 16-12 in the President's trophy semi finals last year among the other wins they registered last year. They also registered the first ever win against the Trinity 21-0. This season the Wesleyites repeated the same against the Peterites defeating them 19-13 which was one of the best wins to be produced in the ongoing schools rugby season. They also defeated the Thomians 15-8 in an earlier game but lost to the strong Isipatanians narrowly 20-15.
 

The Campbell Park boys are without the services of eight players who did duty for them last year in skipper Lahiru Boteju, Chithraja Weligamage, R.M. Manahara, Steve Perera, Prasad Perera, Zihard Thahir and Irfan Nallawangsa. But they have two Sri Lanka youth players that toured Hong Kong for the Asiad in skipper Kasun de Silva and his deputy Zakir Badurdeen and a host of senior players and freshers who are capable of filling the void and carry on the good work of their predecors.
 

With Kasun de Silva leading, the boys they are unpredictable and could come off as the best side of the day like the performance they gave against the Peterites. Fourth year player and skipper Kasun, a player with immense talent will be one of the flankers with third year player Heshan Dissanayake being the other. Fresher Shihan Saliheen is showing good promise at practices to fit in as the standby flanker. The two prop forwards of the side are second year Amila Subasinghe and fresher Dhanusha Warnasuriya with another fresher Henry Terrence fighting for the poition.
 

The hooker who will bind with the prop forwards is third year player Khalid Shariffodeen. The two second rowers are third year players Julian Fransisco and Dhanuska Perera while freshers Tuan Hossen and Damith Perera being capable of coming in, if the need arises. The number eight of the side is third year player Tyronne Harrison. Deputy skipper and fourth year player Zakir Badurdeen a gutty and never say die stuff and third year player Nuwan Samith are the two centres with fresher Niroshan Karunaratne being the standby.
 

To outsmart the opponents in the scrummage it will be in the hands of third year player Rukhan Oumar with third year player Omar Sherifoodeen pairing off as the fly half, the standby players for this position is fresher Samantha Lakshan. Third year players Saliman Buckman and Naushki Fareez will man the two wings with Niranjan Wickramasinghe and Yomal Amaratunge being the standbys. The last line of defence will be manned by fresher Yasas Nonis who has also being given the responsibility of the place kickers job which he is doing farely well.
 

The Wesleyites are determined to end the season on a good note so watch out for more surprises from the Campbell Park boys and hear more of those Zam Zam Zakey, Zam Zam Zey from their supporters in the matches they are scheduled to play. They are down to confront Royal on June 28 at the Royal Complex grounds, St. Anthony's Kandy on July 3 at Sugathadasa Stadium and Dharmaraja Kandy on July 9 at Kandy.

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Royal's Rajitha to skipper Sri Lanka at U-19 Asiad
Daily Mirror 24/12/02

Sri Lankan rugby selectors yesterday picked a 21- member squad with Royal College centre Rajitha Jayasundera as captain for next month's under-19 Asian rugby championships to be held in Hongkong. The team is coached by Asanga Seneviratne while the Manager is Arjun Dharmadasa. The team is scheduled to take wing on January 3rd. The championship will be held from January 4 to 12.

The squad:
Props: Danushka (St. Aloysius), Vithanagamage (Trinity), Suranga Swarnatilleke (St. Anthony's)
Hookers: Achala Perera (Kingswood), Sendil Kumar (Isipatana)
Second Rowers: Anuradha Dharmatilleke (Isipatana), A. Karthelis (S. Thomas'), D. Imran (St. Anthony's)
Flankers: Migara Maddumapatabendige (Trinity), Kasun de Silva (Wesley), Gunawardena (Isipatana)
Number Eight: Iranga Swarnatilleke (St. Anthony's)
Scrum half: Chathuranga (St. Anthony's), Varuna Wijewardena (Royal)
Fly Half: Naresh Liyanage (Isipatana)
Centres: Rajitha Jayasundera (Captain-Royal), Thajudeen (S. Thomas'), Z. Badurdeen (Wesley)
Wingers: Rinaz Mohamed (St. Peter's), Lakshman Dissanayake (Royal), Duminda Abeysekera (Thurstan) Full back: Saliya Kumara (Vidyartha), Athukorale (Thurstan) -(AG)

 

Wesley rugby reaching greater heights   - Sunday Times Aug 25th 2002
Wesley College created rugby history when they entered the President's Trophy final the first time. In this final they were beaten by high riding Royal team led by Zulki Hamid. The star-studded Royalists, has created a new milestone in the annals of the Bradby Shield carried, too many guns to the Campbell Park School Wesley though beaten by a superior side won much admiration for their grit and determination. They had a good set of strongly built forwards. But what they lacked was a better game plan and an experienced coach to assist them.

It augurs well for the future of schools and Sri Lanka rugby. Two of their forwards have found their way to the national squad. Wesley, in the semi-final created a sensation when they defeated the Schools League champions - seasoned St. Peter's in an absorbing contest, (August 12).

It was a Red Letter Day for their rugby. Unfortunately, after the game pandemonium raged by a section of the crowd who went berserk. They were not tackling, but indulging in a boxing contest. It was most uncalled for. It soured, otherwise it was superb game of open rugby dished out by both teams. Whoever started must learn to take defeat, in any walk of life.

According to Kenneth de Silva the Prefect of Games, the rugby revival at Wesley was started in 1993, by an ardent old boy Clive de Silva. Initially he was the cog-in-the-wheel. He drafted the services of former Peterite and Police SC scrumhalf S. Sivendran, to coach the youngsters. Old Royalist, versatile sportsman former Sri Lanka sprinter, Summa Navaratnam handled the physical fitness. The duo did an excellent job. Summa, was the father-figure to the boys. The school won the 'B' div. Championship.

The present Principal, M.A.P. Fernando, is a source of inspiration looking into their needs be it at the classroom or in the playing field. Studies and sport go hand in hand at Wesley. Courage and resolution, has paid dividends.
 

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Wesley Lost to Royal in the final
Aug 17th 2002

Latest news from Colombo;
Wesley College lost to Royal College 6-20.,
until 15 minutes before the final whistle the score was 6-13.
Wesley College had a few mistakes today, whereas Royal College
on the contrary made sure of their points when they came
closer to our try line.

Anyway, leaving the score a side, it was a job well done this
season by the Wesley Collage XV, a deserving cup finalist.


Best wishes,
Ajith.
 

Wesley ‘eight’ vs Royal ‘threes’
The Island - Aug 16th 2002.

Two of the best schools rugby teams this season Royal College and Wesley College will play each other in what shapes up to being a absorbing Milo President’s Trophy Knock Out Final at Reid Avenue (Royal rugby grounds) this evening.

This match will also bring the curtain down on the 2002 Inter Schools rugby season.

The record books says Royal have had the better fortunes as far as the history of the schools rugby knock out tournament is concerned ahead of their rivals from Campbell Park.

Royal have clinched the knock out title once way back in 1988 under the leadership of Lasitha ‘Bonsa’Gunarathne when it was then known as the Premadasa Trophy.

However since that heady success 14 years ago the lads from Reid Avenue are still desperately vying to lay their hands on the Knock Out trophy, a task which they feel they will achieve today in their own back-yard.

But in contrast Wesley College have never ever been to the Schools knock out final in the tournament’s 17 year history.

They have however managed to reach the semis in 1997 and 1998 under the captaincy of Anupama Wadugodapitiya and Asanka Gammanpila respectively and this year under Lahiru Botheju they have managed to go a step further and reach the final.

This evening they will do their best to topple the home team and etch their names into the record books in a do-or-die game expected to be witnessed by a capacity crowd.

Going through the season’s performance Royal will start as hot favourites to triumph today but Wesley will be only too pleased to go in as underdogs and be concerned at the finish.

Royal’s forte has been their scintillating back-play from an experienced set of three quarters.

Apart from the halves comination of skipper Zulky Hamid and S Badurdeen who have been intstumental in winning quality possession Indika De Silva, dynamic Rajith Jayasundere, Bilal Yusuf, Lakshman Dissanayake and Chamath Dhanawansa have all been in the thick of things and will be hoping to deliver the goods when it matters most.

Their forwards also have been faring well and a good display from the Royal ‘eight’ complimented by their fluent backline should make it tough for Wesley.

Wesley on the other hand have based their attack on their power-packed set of forwards comprising of the likes of Steve Perera, Tyronne Harrison, Kasun De Silva, Heshan Dissanayake and skipper Lahiru Botheju to crush the Royalists on their way to the final.

Wesley’s backs Naushki Fareez, Ziard Thaheer, Saliman Buckman and Zakeer Badurdeen will also have to combine effectively with their ‘eight’ if the lads from Campbell Park are to prevail over the rampaging unbeaten Royal College ‘fifteen’.

Meanwhile it is also ferevently hoped from a spectators points of view the the officials of the tournament organisers (SLSRFA) will have more security officers at the ground in a bid to prevent the unruly elements from causing any fracas at the end of the game.

A brawl which took place between the players of Wesley and St.Peter’s and followed by a even bigger free for all among the supporters of the two teams at the end of the quater finals last Monday is proof to showcase the security arrangements put in place by the SLSRFA for this tournament.

Teams

Royal

Shamil Mohammed, Mafaz Ismail, Venura Perera, Nanda Abeysekera, Rakeem Barry, Kushan Athukorale, Channa De Silva, Dushanth Lewke, Zulky Hamid (Capt) and S Badurdeen, Indika De Silva, Rajith Jayasundere, Bilal Yusuf, Lakshman Dissanayake and Chamath Dhanawansa.

Wesley

Steve Perera, R M Manahara, Chithrajith Weligamage, Mohamed Shaker, Lahiru Botheju (Capt), Kasun De Silva, Heshan Dissanayake, Tyronne Harrison, Rukshan Omar and Prasad Perera, Naushki Fareez, Ziard Thaheer, Nuwan Samith, Saliman Buckman and Zakerr Badurdeen. [ J K ]

Referee- Orville Fernando

The past winners of the Schools Knock Out Tournament.

1985 - Isipatana 1991 - STC 1997 - Isipatana

1986 - Isipatana 1992 - Isipatana 1998 - Thurstan

1987 - Trinity 1993 - Trinity 1999 - Isipatana

1988 - Royal 1994 - STC 2000 - Kingswood

1989 - STC 1995 - St.Peter’s 2001 - Isipatana

1990 - STC 1996 - Isipatana

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The Island, 14th of Aug
Wesley pull through in game marred by violence
In a game which was worthy of a cup final Wesley College fended off a wonderful second half onslaught from St Peter’s College to score a rousing 16-12 win in a enthralling Milo President’s Trophy Knock Out Semi Final match at Reid Avenue yesterday.

But sadly this game will be remembered for the melee which took place soon after the completion of the match.

Immediately after referee Dilroy Fernando blew no sides the supporters of the two schools ran onto the field and got involved in a free for all.

St Peter’s skipper Dilanka Wijesekera told ‘The Island’ that the melee had been innitiated by the Wesleyites after two of their players winger Mohammed Rinaz and centre Ranidu Peiris were assaulted.

However Wesley’s Technical Adviser S W Chang told ‘The Island’ that he only saw the supporters of the two schools getting into a fight.

When asked for his comments the Secretary of the SLSRFA Kumara Rodrigo was of the view that he was totally unaware of this incident and that he was unable to stop the unruly elements from leaving a sour taste to this closely contested.

Meanwhile in another match played at the same venue Royal beat St.Anthony’s Katugastota in a lack-lustre Semi Final. [J K]

 

Clashes erupt after Wesley beat St. Peter's

Daily Mirror -  Aug 13th 2002
By M. Shamil Amit
St Peter's College who went in as favourites had to bow out and give way to Wesley to enter the final of the President's trophy inter-school rugby championship after losing yesterday's semi final by 16 points to 12 at the Royal College Sports Complex ground at Reid Avenue.

The Wesleyites ended winners by scoring two tries and two penalties as against one goal and one try by the Peterites. At the breather Wesley led 8-0.

The game was played at a hot pace with both sides playing fast open rugby and the Wesleyites to the surprise of the spectators opened scoring in the seventh minute of the game through a try by centre Ziyard Thahir. Fly half Prasad Perera's attempt to convert the try went astray but he made amends six minutes later when he put over a penalty to increase the Wesley lead to 8-0.

St. Peter's never had a chance of making a move with winger Mohamed Rinaz being a well marked player.

Resuming in the second half the Peterites meant business playing with more power to reduce the lead through a try by skipper and Number Eight Dilanka Wijesekera for full-back Philip Asinghearachchi to be on target with the conversion. The Peterites took over the lead 12-8 in the 15th minute when the try-hungry winger Rinaz went over for a try by the right corner flag.

With a ding-dong battle taking place Wesley succeeded to score when scrum half Rukshan Omar picked the ball near the try line and crept through the defence to score and unconverted try to give his side a 13-12 lead.

Wesley took the lead to 16-12 when Prasad Perera put over a penalty after the Peterites were penalised by referee Dilroy Fernando for an infringement. The penalty gave the Wesleyites a well deserved victory over the league champs St Peter's College. After the game unruly behaviour by some sections of the crowd sparked off an unnecessary incident. Fighting initially broke out with fisticuffs between the players followed by spectators taking on one another in rowdy scenes.

The players had to be escorted to the dressing room and later with the assistance of the Police they were guided to their school buses.

When the fighting broke out only three policemen were reported to be present at the ground symbolising poor security arrangements by the organisers.

The secretary of the Sri Lanka Schools Rugby Association however told the Daily Mirror that they had requested security cover from the Cinnamon Gardens police but were unable to obtain the required number of personnel due to security commitments elsewhere in Colombo.

Royal enter final
Royal beat St Anthony's 20-13 to enter the final of the Milo President's trophy schools knock-out rugby tournament at the Royal college grounds at Reid Avenue yesterday.

The Royalists did not have things their way and were made to fight their way to register a 20 points (two goals, two penalties) to 12 (one goal,two penalties) win to advance to the final to be played on August 16 at the same venue.

Royal was the first to score through a try by flanker Kushan Athukorala which was goaled by full back Chamath Danawansa who later put over a penalty. The Anthonians reduced the lead with a penalty put over by fly half Mohamed Reyal.

Minutes before the short whistle number eight Dushanth Lewke scored the second try for the Royalists with Chamath Danawansa adding the extra points to give Royal a 17-3 lead at the breather.

In the second half the strong Royal side were given a testing time by the Anthonians and they managed to score only three points through a penalty by Danawansa. The Anthonians put up a better show in this half to score 10 points through a penalty from Mohamed Reyal and a try by burly prop forward Suranga Swarnatileke with Reyal again making no mistake with his conversion. -(MSA)

 

Royal, Wesley final
by Chris Dhambarage    "Daily News" Tuesday , Aug 13th.

Royal will meet Wesley in the inter school President's Trophy knock out rugby tournament final on Friday after winning their respective semifinal matches worked off at the Royal College grounds, Reid Avenue yesterday.

Royal produced another powerful display as they outplayed St. Anthony's College Kandy by 20 points to 13 while the Wesleyites produced a giant killing performance to beat the Milo 'A' Division League champions St. Peter's College by 16 points to 12. The Wesleyites collected their points from two tries and two penalties while the Peterites responded with a goal and a try. Wesley led 8 nil at half time.

This was a fantastic performance by Wesley who went in as the underdogs but completely surprised their opponents with a great team effort. Rukshan Omar and Ziyard Tahir scored a try each for Wesley with Prasad Perera putting over two penalties. Dilanka Wijesekera and Mohamed Rinaz scored a try each for St. Peter's with Philip Aesingherachchi converting one try.

Earlier Royal cruised towards an easy win over St. Anthony's College in the first semifinal. This was the second time they had beaten the Antonians having also won their Milo 'A' Division League fixture by a convincing margin in Kandy. This time they completed their task even more comfortably while collecting their points from two goals and two penalties after having led 17-3 at half time.

In fact Royal's dominance was so much that their goal line was crossed only during the final stages of the game. Until then Royal held center stage with their forwards dominating the scene winning a major amount of possession in the line outs and in the set pieces. Dushanth Lewke spearheaded their 'pack' quite effectively and the Royal third row was responsible in initiating a number of scoring opportunities.

Royal scored twice within the first twenty minutes of play and virtually booked their place in the final by leading 17-3 at half time. First it was flanker Kushan Athukorale who added the finishing touches to another superb move by falling over for a classic try. This try was converted by full back Chamath Danawansa. Few minutes later number eight Dushanth Lewke scored their scond try and was again converted by Chamath Danawansa.

In fact the dynamic Royal full back had an outstanding game while providing the back up support to the three quarters on several occasions. He fired across his second penalty in the second half and ended up with a tally of ten points in this game. Orville Fernando and Dilroy Fernando refereed.
 

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August 12th " Daily Mirror"

Royal meet Antonians as President's trophy hots up for final berth
Peterites meet Wesley for first time
By M.Shamil Amit
The battle for a berth in the final of the Milo President's trophy knock-out rugby tournament takes place today at the Royal College Sports Complex grounds when the two semi finals get underway.

The first game at 4.00 p.m will see the clash between Royal and St Anthony's followed by the game between St Peter's and Wesley.
In the first semi final Royal led by Zulkarnain Hameed will be meeting St. Anthony's for the second time this season after their traditional first game gave the Royalists and easy win.
But the Antonians are an improved side and are expected to put up a stiff competition against the tournament's favourites.
Royal overcame arch rivals S.Thomas' 43-3 in the quarter finals to register the highest score in the history of the President's trophy. The Anthonians defeated D.S.Senanayake College 30-0 in the quarter finals. St Peter's led by Dilanka Wijesekera will for the first time this season meet Wesley led by Lahiru Boteju.

The Peterites defeated St Sylvester's 24-12 while the Wesleyites beat Kingswood 15-10 in the quarter finals.
 

The cynosure of all eyes will be Peterite record-breaking winger Mohamed Rinaz who will have to be at his best unlike in the quarter final. The two teams are well balanced with the onus being on the Peterites. If the Wesleyites perform the way they played against Kingswood then a win is certain for thier opponents.

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August 11, 2002

Two Wesley school boys in the Sri lanka Rugby Squad

Lahiru Boteju (Capt/Lock Fwd) and Steve Perera(Prop Fwd) from Wesley College were selected for the National selection pool

Asian Games:
Planned Oct 11 to 15/ Pusan, S.Korea,
Lahiru Boteju (Capt/Lock Fwd) and Steve Perera(Prop Fwd) from College
were selected for the National selection pool (of 60).

1stXV:
Wesley College entered the all island knock-out tournament
ranked 4th after their performance in the league tournament
behind St. Peters, Royal and Isipathana. 2 Matches in the
Tournament were played as appended.


Knockout Tournament:
Pre-Quarter Final game to select the best 8;
Wesley beat Vidyartha 34 - 8 at Havelock Park.
 
QF;
Wesley beat Kingswood 15-10 at Reid Avenue.
With this win, Wesley Rugby 1stXV moves up to Semi-Finals in the
tournament. Best 4, a feat that College has not achieved for some time
( or probably for the 1st time...... my guess, don't have any records).
 

SF;
Wesley vs. St Peters on 8/12.
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Yesterday 9th, (also last week before the match) the kids were taken
by the NZ coach of CH&FC for Technical improvement. And today
the last session of practice will be held before the game, going through the game plans.
At the end of this practice session the coach has invited a Sports Physio
to speak to the team, to motivate and prepare their mind-set for the game.
So everything looks very good and quite professional!
 


Wesley has a balanced team, a mobile and a heavy set of Forwards with an
experienced Three Quarter line which will be up against a very fast running
set of Three Quarters and a dynamic No8 from St Peters side.

St Peters College was declared the League Champs this year and are full to
the brim with confidence going in to this tournament. College has done a lot of work
on team building since the league match defeat vs. Isipathana. Now, with 2 good wins in
 the Tournament, the kids are back playing together and motivated in the right direction
for the games.
 
I would still say that the advantage is to Wesley for a win, considering the
experience that college has had this season, playing all those strong teams,
while St Peters have been having it a little easy with their luck, playing all
the weak schools in their league. So, lets see how wee perform!


U-15 news:

More Great News and a promising future for College Rugby.

Wesley's Wing Three Yamal Amarathunga will captain the Sri Lanka U-15
team to Thailand for the Friendship Cup Tournament.
6 kids from college were picked to represent Sri Lanka in this tournament in November.

Ajith Uvais

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Wesley win 15-10
By M.Shamil Amit
Wesley were made to fight hard in their quarter final Milo President's trophy knock-out rugby encounter against Kingswood at the Royal Sports Complex ground at Reid Avenue yesterday.

After taking a 15-10 lead at the short whistle the Wesleyites were not able to add a single point against the fighting Kingswoodians who gave the winners a torrid time before conceding victory.

In the first half Wesley opened scoring in the fourth minute of the game through winger S. Buckman which was converted by full back Prasad Perera. Five minutes later Wesley increased the lead through a penalty put over by Prasad. In the 18th minute Kingswood reduced the lead through a try by full back Erandha Weerakkody and in the dying stages of this half Wesley's Number Eight Tyronne Harrison went over for a try.

The Wesleyites never clicked in the second half with no scoring being done by them. In the seventh minute Erandha Weeerakkody scored his second try but missed the conversion which was all the scoring done in this half.

The Daily Mirror had to depend on an outsider for the names of the try scorers of the losing side as a player from Kingswood refused to co-operate with the media.

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Wednesday,
August 7, 2002     Daily Mirror

Schools rugby hots up today
Wesley vs Kingswood, St. Peter's vs St. Sylvester's
By M.Shamil Amit
The quarter finals of the Milo President's trophy knock-out rugby tournament will be worked off today with two games. Both the matches will be played at the Royal College Complex grounds at Reid Avenue. The first match will be between arch rivals Wesley and Kingswood at 4.00 p.m. This game will be followed by the St. Peter's and St. Sylvester's clash at 5 p.m.

Wesley and Kingswood are well balanced while St. Peter's are considered the favourites to win over St. Sylvester's.

Wesley led by burly Lahiru Boteju started the inter-school season with a bang winning four matches in-a-row and their run of wins were halted by the Isipatanians.

Wesley and Kingswood confronted each other in the league championships with the match ending in six all draw. It was also the first leg of the E.L.Blaze trophy and the second leg did not take place due to the Kingswood team being suspended by the school principal for disciplinary reasons. Apart from skipper Lahiru the other players to be watched in the Wesley side are Steve Perera, Zihard Thahir, Naushki Fareez, Prasad Perera, Tyronne Harrison, Zakeer Badurdeen and Heshan Dissanayake.

The Wesleyites made mince meat of Vidyartha in the pre-quarter final game winning 34-8. Kingswood started their league championship with a loss against Isipatana but won against home town rivals St. Sylvester's and St. Anthony's and drew with Wesley after which they were suspended. For the President's trophy they are playing with a new oufit and a new coach. They beat Zahira in the pre quater final game 27-6.

League champions St. Peter's are led by Dilanka Wijesekera who will be back on time for the encounter against St. Sylvester's after his assignment with the Sri Lanka team for the Commonwealth Games. The Peterites are one of the favourites to clinch the knock-out trophy with such players like winger Mohamed Rinaz, Philip Asingheaarachchi, Ranidu Peiris, Dinuka Jayasinghe and Ifthard Fazil. All eyes will be on winger Rinaz who has filled his bag with tries.

The Peterites have been playing as a unit from the begining and have kept on improving with every game.

Isipatana's first rugby captain Bryan Ingram is dead

From "Daily News"   8/8/02
by Sharm de Alwis

Briyan Ingram who captained Isipatana's first rugby XV died at 3.00 p.m. Melbourne time on 31st July 02.
Bryan's death evokes memories of the first chapters of the saga of Isipatana rugby. Greenlands College, the forerunner to Isipatana, by name kicked off in rugger in 59/60 under the captaincy of R.C. Kellar who from his tender age of ten carried a rugger ball to school. His father had played of Havelocks and it was young Kellar who got the masters interested to introduce the game to school. Jayantha Fernando, the Old Peterite and entrepreneur got his cockles up, wishing to help the lads, came with some Old Petes and paved the way by arranging friendly matches with Wesley, Royal, SPC and SJC. But that was basically, at U16 and U17 levels.

Late in 61 the name was changed from Greenlands to Isipatana. Same wine in a new bottle. The first captain was Aurbey Wijewardene, eldest son of Blackham Wijewardene. Trinity's famous Lion in rugger and cricket. It was Aubrey who introduced the white shorts because the jersey was green and white.

The pages of the calendar turned swiftly and 1963 was heralded. It also heralded a new chapter in Isipatana rugger when Bryan Ingram led Isipatana's first ever 1st XV against St. Anthony's Katugastota. The toddling school of two years was taking on a battle-scarred warrior. But as history would tend to repeat itself the story of David and the Goliath was re-enacted when Isipatana was victorious by 8-0 with Dayalu Perera scoring the historic first try for Isipatana.

The team comprised Bryan Van Cuylenberg, Darrel Poullier, Kusum Dissanayake, Leslie Karunaratne, D.A. Gunasekera, Ananda Fernando, T. Ousmand, Tony Samat, Randy Peitersz, Ana Saranapala, Vijeya Yapa, R.C. Gunewardene, Dayalu Perera, Bryan Ingram and Tony Mantara.

Even though Vijeya Yapa captained in '64, it was Ana Sarnapala who in 1965, captained the first official Isipatana rugby team after it was accepted by the Rugby Union.

In those misty beginnings a few Trinitians stood up to be counted. Apart from the sons of Trinity legend Blackham Wijewardene there were on the Staff Old Trinitian L.D. Welegedera and the wife of Trinity athletics Lion Harry Geddes and their two children who cut their rugby teeth before they climbed the hills to play for Trinity. Both Russel and Ian Geddes won their Trinity rugger Colours in '65 under the captaincy of double Lion M.T.M. Zaruk.

The men who moulded Isipatana rugby were, apart from Jayantha Fernando and his band of Old Peterites, Michael Loos, Y.C. Chang, Bartholomeusz, Frankie David, and Maurice de Silva who it was who brought the team to the high water mark under Thajone Savanghan to be unbeaten in the Season. Those were the first chapters of Isipatana rugby. We now know that they have written subsequent chapters in purple prose and is, currently, in the forefront of the country's rugger.