Confident Antonians aim Super Round spot

St. Anthony’s Under-19 Rugby Pool 2024   

By Shamseer Jaleel 

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.

St. Anthony’s College Rugby Squad: 

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.

Head Coach: Achala Perera.

Back Division Coach: Srinath Sooriyabandara.

Team Manager: Arunda Ranasinghe.

League fixtures: 

June 15 v Science College at Nittawela. June 22 v S. Thomas’ at Mount Lavinia. June 28 v D. S. Senanayake College at Havelock Park. July 7 v Sri Sumangala, Kandy at Bogambara Stadium. July 14 v Dharmaraja at Bogambara Stadium. July 19 v Trinity at Pallekelle Stadium. July 27 v Isipathana at Nittawela.