14 June 2024 12:34 pm Views - 108
By: Shamseer Jaleel
(Daily Mirror) - St. Anthony’s College, Katugastota, which performed extremely well and became the only side to qualify for round two from Kandy last season, will be all out to reach the Super Round of the Inter-Schools Under-19 League Rugby Tournament this year as well.
A school better known for their cricket prowess has come a long way in the oval shaped ball game in the recent past.
The Antonians will be led by Oshan Gunarathne with Ravindu Welagedera - the outstanding playmaker - being the Deputy of the outfit. They also got Rakesh Pillai - a cracking three quarter - who can create massive holes with his super speed and a lad to watch out in this season. St. Anthony’s will have the services of nine players from last year’s outfit and they are a well balanced side.
They also have some outstanding players such as Akesh Hansaja, Abdul Rasith and the fast-running
Rakesh Pillai.
Former Kingswoodian, Navy SC player and former Rajans Coach, Achala Perera will be their Head Coach with Srinath Sooriyabandara as the Back Division Coach.
The Antonians will open their season with a game against Science College, Mount Lavinia on 15 June at the Nittawela Rugby Stadium in Kandy.
They will have five games in Kandy and will travel to Colombo twice for the fixtures against D. S. Senanayake College and S. Thomas’ College. The Antonians last won the Inter-Schools Under- 19 League Tournament under Tikiri Dissanayake way back in 2001.
Oshan Gunarathne (Captain), Ravindu Welagedera (Vice-Captain), Sasidu Senarathne, Thisara Gallanga, Mohommed Faraz, Rakesh Pillai, Abdul Rasith, Nethmika Liyange, Damian Prabash, Ravindu Gregory, Gaveen Arithra, Avan Ekanayaka, Chamalka Kulathunga, Tharusha Karunanayaka, Yohan Kingston, Akesh Sampath, Akesh Jayawansha, Dinuka Jayasundara, Lashintha Amarakoon, Givantha Dahanayaka, Omitha Dissanayake, Chamika Adikari, Randeer Perera, Minuja Herath, Kalpa Lakmina, Mohommed Shimak, Deshan Liyanage, Shevin Fonseka and Vimukthi Kodikara.
League fixtures: