Gritty Thomians in search of past glory

S. Thomas’ College Mount Lavinia, one of the long standing rugby playing schools having had the honour of producing top notch players over the years, more particularly during their golden era of the late eighties to the early nineties will this season look forward to give their best to end among the top teams of the Under 19 Dialog schools rugby tournament which will kick off this week. The blue, black and blue boys open the campaign by hosting Wesley College on June 17.   

Last year the Thomians were unable to make much of an impression and had to be satisfied with the sixth slot and in aiming to achieve their target this time around the side led by centre Viyaan de Silva along with three experienced players in Shanal Fernando, Yehan Bulathsinghalage and Mahith Perera will be expected to put in their best foot forward. A key player to watch would be deceptive Venuka Wickramasuriya (whose father had the rare honour of scoring a try for Trinity College in the 50th Bradby Shield (2nd Leg) in the year 1994.   

This season the Thomians are drawn into along with the champions and runners-up of last year Isipathana College and St. Joseph’s College which no doubt will be two tough games and it depends on how they will deal with Wesley in the first match.   

Guided by one of the top school rugby coaches Shamly Nawaz who is ably supported by his assistants Anushka Perera who will be in-charge of the back division and Dilan Soyza as the trainer they will no doubt ruffle a few feathers along the way this season. The last league title win for the Thomians came way back in the year 2000 when the side was led by burly Gavin Jayasekera. (M. Shamil Amit)