Rajans looking to go places

By Hafiz Marikar
Although the game of rugby at Dharmaraja College had been in existence in the 1920s, it appears to have been abandoned after a player had succumbed to an injury suffered at a match. The game commenced on an organised footing only in 1972, the credit for which must go to late Lal Kumarasinghe under whose able guidance both as Coach and MIC the game came of age at Dharmaraja. From there onwards rugby progressed very satisfactorily and after Kumarasinghe, school teacher S. Abeyasinghe gave his best.

So, the revival occurred in 1972 with a series of teething problems but it was possible to overcome them with a certain amount of organisational and planning effort being added every year and now they are on a good footing. The biggest drawback to Rajans’ rugby is that there is no proper place for their training.
They were able to maintain standards in the game due to the dedicated coaches like Jadi Dissanayake (1978-1979), Lanil Tenakoon (1980-81), Sarath Kulatilake (1981), Irwin Howie, Deepal de Soysa, ZM Zarook, Alex Lazarus, Viper Gunarathne Jnr., Anil Jayasinghe, CS Ekanayake, Ananda Kasthuriarachchi, Asoka Jayasena and Nilufer Ibrahim.

Rajans have produced a galaxy of rugger players such as Col. CS Fernando (Army SC), SU Mendis (University of Peradeniya and Air Force SC), Daya Jayasundara (Kandy SC and Police), and Murga Jayarathne (Police SC and Sri Lanka) who played for the country without playing for the school. Later Ajantha Samarakoon, Hemantha Yatawara, Milroy Mendis, Kuda Nugawella, CS Ekanayake, S. Thalagoda, G.Thalagoda, Pradeep de Alwis, Indragith Bandaranayake, Radhika Hettiarchchi, Tilak Jayasundara, Indika de Zoysa, Prasad de Alwis, Gamini Jayaweera, A Dayasiri, Mahes Weerasinghe, Ruwan Mallawarachchi, Chandima Mallawarachchi, Chinthaka Weerasuriya, Chandima Amadoru, Anura Kulatunga, Manjula Ratnayake, SS Kalupe, S. Jaysinghe, JB Samarasinghe. Senaka Hettiarchchi, Gayan Hettiarchchi and Sajith Sellanhandi.

The Rajans have always played the game hard and fair, providing spectators with entertaining rugby.

This season the Rajans field a top side, and should go places under the guidance of their coach CS Ekanayake, who has come back after a lay off from the job he did some time back. CS, a coach par excellence, has played for Dharmarja College as a No. 8 forward and also led the side, later he turned out for Kandy Sports Club for a number of years and led the side. He also played for Up-Country and was in the national pool at one time. So, with CS’s experience in the field of rugby he is all out to turn the side into a winning side this season. At school he was a fine footballer and led the side as goalkeeper, J.B. Herath is also giving a helping hand in coaching, S, Alexander is the Master in Charge,

The mantle of leadership has fallen on the shoulders of AD Etipola, a penetrative three-quarter, who did yeoman service last season. And this time much is expected from him as a leader. His deputy will be No. 8 forward K.S. Rajapakse a fine third row forward who is capable of giving his best. The other seniors in the side are DK Kapukotuwa, TS Dhanashikasivi, TDN Tillakaratne, and LT Sellapperuma. All three are fine players both in attack and defence.

A look into the Rajans pack shows it having a firm footing with players like VAD Weerakoon, TD Abeyasinghe, AL Siriwardene and TMLB Tennakoon who are props. HSL Basnayake and C Bandara are the hookers. The front row is full of weight and is sure to give of their best. The locks will be HMC Herath, GK Hettiarachchi and HMDPK Herath, who are sure to give a good account of themselves. They have a superb set of players fighting for the third row position, VB Ratnayake, KS Rajapakse (vice-captain), DCH Welgoda and TD Ratnayake.

S. Sudu and T. Tiatu are the two players who are fighting for the scrum half’s position; these two are equally good tacklers.

Manning the back division will be richly talented players, DIK de Silva and Wickramanayake, the players who are fighting for the centre’s berth are skipper AD Ettipola, LT Sellapperuma, TDN Tillakaratne, HT Wenagampitiya, DR Wickremarthne, UK Karunaratne. All are good in ball handling and tackling. There are five players trying to fit into the winger-three-quarters berth DP Kapukotuwa, TS Shanushkasiri, BSMB Amarasena, DMIJ Dissanayake, KPJR Pathirana.

The full backs position will be occupied by KR Kumara who is good in long range kicks and Also has the ability of joining the line. PGKW Gallage too is there to fit into this position.

Rajans ruggerites must be grateful to their OBA branch of Colombo and the Rugby Club for giving them all the necessary backing to keep the game alive and kicking.