Vidyartha ‘Tigers’ have the honour of featuring in rugby’s curtain raiser

By A Special Sports Correspondent

‘Bradby’ boys Trinity had a decent season last year and finished in 9th place at the inter-school league rugby tournament. Most importantly, the Trinitians showed resilience by staying in contention for more honors by making themselves available for the knockout tournament after the league season concluded. They also had a moment of glory in the Bradby Shield played against Royal when they notched up a first leg victory; which feat was recognized as an official victory by the Sri Lanka Schools Rugby Football Association in the inter-school fifteen-a-side league rugby tournament. Trinity lost the return leg, but that result had no bearing on the league tournament points table.

Last season the Trinitians recorded wins against Science College and Vidyartha College Kandy, the latter victory reminding them that though one has strong roots in rugby, without updated knowledge, application and effort even the strongest team cannot survive in a league where all teams are equally hungry, well fed and well trained.

This is another team which is obsessed with a single match during the league rugby season, rated as too competitive at times by parents and critics because of the demands made on schoolboys by the sport of rugby. It goes without saying that rugby is an expensive and time consuming sport and only those with a great interest in the sport can be involved in it. The sport of rugby can no longer carry passengers on the field. That applies to the coaching staff as well.

‘Bradby’ boys Trinity had a decent season last year and finished in 9th place.

Trinity are led this season by back division player Anuhas Kodithuwakku and coached by Fazil Marija. The Trinitians open the season with a game against the Thomians on June 15 at Pallakele.

Vidyartha College Kandy, known as ‘Tigers’ in this sport, have steadily climbed the rungs of the school rugby ladder. It is a much feared side; thanks to great efforts gone into improve rugby at the school by old boys and well-wishers. Last season Vidyartha finished 10th in the league tournament and produced wins against Science College and Dharmaraja. This year the side is led by hard running back division player Gayan Perera and is coached by Sumedha Malawana. The Tigers open the season with a match against St. Joseph’s at Havelock Park on June 14.

Wesley College had a lean season in 2023 and finished in 11th position. They could only muster one win. That feat came against Kingswood. They were not guilty of lacking in effort, but the side failed to turn pressure into points and emerge the victor in a couple of games; especially against St. Joseph’s and St. Anthony’s last seasons. The side is led this year by flanker Shem Mendis and is coached by Henry Terrance.

The other team featured in this segment of the school rugby series carried by this newspaper is Dharmaraja. The ‘Rajans’ went winless last season and we’re lucky not to get demoted this year due to their dismal performance in 2023. Overall they were placed 12th in the points table. They played well against Science College last season, but still lost the grip in that game; losing the encounter 24-21 in the end. The only consolation for the school in rugby could be their principal Kamal Ariyasinha being reelected as president of the Sri Lanka Schools Rugby Football Association for another year.

Dharmaraja open the season with a game against D.S.Senanayake on June 15 at Longden Place.