Wesley out to give off their best with young outfit

12 June 2024 08:36 am Views - 156

Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

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By M. Shamil Amit  

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Wesley College in the past few seasons have performed with credibility but last season they were the most unfortunate side as they underwent close defeats, having dominated proceedings in some of the lost matches and was able to record only one win.  

But this time out with two three year players flanker Shem Mendis who will lead the side and with his deputy centre Dillon de Silva they are looking forward to put in a better performance with the young team that they posses.  

Apart from the duo they have three more experienced players in Mahathir Raban, Sandul Gammanpila and Abdul Haadhi from whom much will be expected along with the up and coming players to guide the double blue shirts march to stardom. So with the young outfit the Wesleyites could pull off surprises and will go all out to give off their best with the young outfit.  
Head coach Henry Terrance has been working hard with the rugby pool and though he had problems with the practice schedule due to the O/L exams they are ready to give off their best, though it’s going to be a bit tough with most of them, new blood playing in the top division.  

Terrence earlier had a successful stint as the coach and it was under his guidance that the Wesleyites lifted the President’s Trophy in the year 2013 when the side was led by Rahul de Silva which in fact was his first year as coach of Wesley.  

Apart from the league matches the double blue boys will play for two trophies against S. Thomas’ Mt Lavinia which is fought out for the Sir Oliver Goonetilleke Shield and against Kingswood for the L.E. Blaze Trophy. The dates and venues are yet to be finalized for these two matches.  

 

Wesley College Rugby Pool 2024: (Forwards) Shem Mendis (Captain), Sandul Gammanpila, Sanruk Gamage, Shamry Fayeek, Hashim Thabith, Naham Hemachandra, Hamdaan Shafraz, Ashen de Silva, Nelith Hapugalle, Pawan Thiranagama, Keshara Rah, Jazeel Zuhuri, Manuga Jayaweera, Nethan Diyon, Abdul Rahman, Naheel Jaya, Hivin Uthmika, Tahir Bazeer, Tharush Adithya Silva, Senuth Karunawansha

 

League fixtures  June15 vs Zahira at Maradana   June 22 vs Thurstan at Ratmalana   June 29 vs St. Peter’s at Bambalapitiya   July 6 vs St..Joseph’s at Havelock Park   July 12 vs Royal at Havelock Park   July 20 vs Kingswood Venue TBC   July 28 vs Vidyartha at Nittawela   Sir Oliver Goonetileke Shield vs S. Thomas’

 

Backs:  Dillon de Silva (Vice Captain), Adeeb Yooseph, Mahathir Raban, Suhaib Nizam, Senura Nisal, Abdul Haadhi, Kaveesh Dilhara, Danush Dassanayaka, Kaizer Lye, Mahadev Methushan, Shehab Hisham, Matheesha Silva, Mohammed Fawaz, Parthana Sanjana, Jaward Marjan, Dinaru Dahamyuth, Mohamed Ajmal, Adeesha Vitharana, Shifaan Inthikab, Ahyan Johan

 

Henry Terrance (Head Coach ), Randeera de Silva (Forwards Coach), Thilina Weerasinghe (Kicking Coach), Amjad Buksh (Backs Coach), Tharanga Galapitawatta (Physiotherapist).