Fresh faced Trinity out to end title drought

Trinity College’s rugby team for the 2023 season will be led by third year player and coloursman Attaab Manzil, a born leader who is also a national youth boxer.

Manzil has led the College rugby team at Under 16 and Under 18 level as well.

Attaab represented the Sri Lanka youth boxing team at the World King of the Ring Championship, which took place in Sweden in 2020, winning a Silver medal.

He also won in the 55kg weight class at the Stubb Shield Inter-School boxing tournament.

At the age of 10, he took a liking towards table tennis and won the All Island Championship but he gave the sport up later on.

He will have Chamendra Dhanapala, a third year colours winner for rugby, as his deputy.

Sri Lanka rugby legend Fazil Marija will head the coaching team with former Isipathana College player Buddhika Thalagampala working as the Forwards and Assistant Coach.

Tharinda Ratwatte is the kicking coach for the Under 16 to Under 20 teams with another old boy and hard working Tharaka Algama being the Trainer of the outfit.

Dulanjaya Abeywickrama will have a double role this year as he will be the Master In Charge and Manager of the outfit.

The Old Trinitians Rugby Scrummage (OTRS) will prop up Trinity College rugby, looking after the players and taking vital decision in the oval shaped ball game.

OTRS is led by former national cricketer, athlete and rugby player, Nilantha Ratnayake (NLK).

Trinity not only won the League under Tyrel Rajapakse in 1987 they also became the knock-out champions in the same year.

Their defence was breached only once the whole season.

Trinity won the Sevens (Philip Bultjens Trophy) from 1975 to 77 and in 2019 Reshan Bandaranayake’s outfit beat St. Peter’s College in the Sevens after 42 long years wait.

The league however, has been so close yet so far in many seasons for the Trinitians.

They won the knock-out in 1993 under Nalin Muhandiramge and in 2011 under Murad Ramzeen’s leadership, meaning that it’s been a long wait for Trinity for the last 35 years for the League title.

Trinity College squad: Attaab Manzil (C), Chamendra Dhanapala, Thenuk Fernando, Menura Wijekoon, Senula Alexander, Udan Wijekoon, Dehan Watagoda, Dinodh Wijerathne, Rushen Bandaranayake, Sachindu Wansekara, Isindu Munasinghe, Jason Peter, Shan Althaf, Upek Gammudali, Lakindhu Herath, Jeywin Samarakoon, Nisith Kumarasinghe, Taruthra Abayanayake, Senitha Karavita, Jayageeth Basnayake, Ravin Ilangaratne, Harith Samaraweera, Venuka Kumarage, Yasiru Ariyawansha, Shrayan Satheeskumar, Murad Raizan, Mihiru Moonamalpe, Thisanga Dissanayake, Hamdan Faizal, Abidh Jameel, Anuhas Kodithuwakku, Fakir Faizal, Kevin Weerakoon, Minula Yaddehige, Ramindu Wanasinghe, Nithya Samaraweera, Manusha Silva, Mohamed Usman, Dishal Thomas, Waqid Ali

Note to readers: Due to a decision by the school administrators, the Daily Mirror is unable to offer the same level of coverage for Trinity College, as it has done and will do for all other schools participating in the top tier of schools’ rugby.