16 June 2023 01:11 pm Views - 474
Wesley College in the past few seasons have performed credibly especially last season where they finished fourth in the league.
The only schools that placed better than them were champions Isipathana College, St. Joseph’s College and Royal College, but to hold or better that position will not be easy as Wesley have lost over 25 players from last year’s squad.
The responsibility is going to lie with four players, starting with skipper and prop forward Kaveesh Jaymon along with his deputy and number eight Chamod Nimsara.
Centre Nithila Rodrigo will also have to do a bulk of the work and guide the team.
Skipper Jayman was of the view that even though they are fielding a young outfit they are no less confident in facing the challenge ahead and will plan on a match by match basis.
The Wesleyites last year had a successful run, recording three wins against Vidyartha College, Science College and Dharmaraja College, drawing against the formidable St. Peter’s College side before going down to ultimate champions Isipathana in a closely contested game which ended 10-00.
Head coach Henry Terrence has been working hard with the rugby pool and has had to navigate the Ordinary Level exams in planning his practice schedule, but he emphasized that his team is ready to give their best, though it will be tough with most of their players new to top division school rugby.
Terrence previously had a successful stint as coach and it was under his guidance that the Wesleyites lifted the President’s Trophy in 2013 when the side was led by Rahul de Silva.
Apart from the league matches the double blue boys will play for two trophy matches against S. Thomas’ College Mt Lavinia, which is their first match scheduled to be played on Saturday for the Sir Oliver Goonetileke Shield.
Their other trophy match will be against Kingswood College for the L.E. Blaze Trophy. (M. Shamil Amit)
Wesley College Rugby Pool 2023
Kaveesh Jaymon (Captain), Chamod Nimsara, Sabith Musheen, Abdulla Siddeek, Wahid Hossen, Shem Mendis, Sandul Gammanpila, Suhaib Nizam, Damian de Zilva, Aaron Corera, Nithilia Rodrigo, Mahathir Raban, Matheesha Silva, Abdul Hadee, Nelith Hapugalla, Muad Suhail, Rayhan Sallay, Ashen Nesaka, Pawan Thiranagama, Naheel Jayah, Sanruk Gamage, Hamdan Shafraz, Naham Hemachandra, Aathim Fazley, Hashim Thabith and Hamdan Ziyan, Yousuf Fazley, Shaheer Hassim, Kesara Rahul, Nilthara Mendis, Thalha Anas, Adeeb Yooseph, Mohammed Fawaz, Kaizer Lye and Rehan Sahid, Senura Nisal, Shamry Fayeek, Dillon de Zilva, Danush Dassanayake, Kaveesha Dilhara, Jazeel Zuhur; Head Coach - Henry Terrance; Forward coach - Radeera de Silva; Backs coach - Chamara Dabare; Trainer - Maduka Marasinghe; Physio - Tharanga Galapitawatta
League fixtures