Antonians flying high, only team from outstation in Super Round

By Shamseer Jaleel
With the conclusion of the first round of the Dialog Under 19 Rugby League, conducted by the Sri Lanka Schools’ Rugby Football Association (SLSRFA), 
St. Anthony’s College became the only school outside Colombo to qualify for the Super Round of the tournament, joining the likes of Isipathana College, St. Peter’s College and Royal College.
Led by fly-half Sahan Keerthisiri, who has proven to be one of the best leaders in schools rugby, the Antonians shocked St. Joseph’s College in their opening match 22-12 before suffering a shock defeat to D. S. Senanayake College 23-19.
They bounced back with a 30-29 win over Wesley College going on to beat Kingswood College 27-16, but despite giving the defending champions Isipathana College a run for their money, succumbed to a 37-26 defeated.

In their final game of the first round they needed a bonus point win which they secured against S. Thomas’ College 34-17.
St. Anthony’s have some outstanding players under their belt.
Their line was lightning fast though they took time to settle in in their early games.
Roshan Kumara, Mariyadas, Atukorale all were top class players. Their nippy scrum-half, Oshan Gunarathne was omnipresent. He linked both the forwards and three-quarters beautifully and his decision making was spot on.  

The outfit was coached by former Isipathana and Kandy SC player, Srinarth Sooriyabandara while Asitha Ratnayake looked after the forwards.
Antonians rugby committee and old boys are rallying around here and overseas to take the oval shaped ball game to a different level. Plans are also under way to do an Eagles night to appreciate and support the players plus their sponsors soon after the season which could be major booster for the youngsters in the junior outfit in the coming years.