Undeterred St. Joseph’s look to fight back in bid for first league title

Naveen Marasinghe (Captain), Jehan  Athukorale, Chamod Kavindya, Daham Dias, Ruchitha Rodrigo, Vihanga  Randeepa, Nithik Rodrigo, Sihaga Liyanage, Sachinthana Waidyanatha, Vishika  Fernando, Senithu Eran, Beeshma Jayasekera, Senal Marc, Brian Fernando,  Ishan Soysa, Induwara Sandesh, Rithika Weragama, Malinda Sheheth, Tiran  Wijegoonewardena, Sathira Gunatileke, Uthesh Robinson, Janith Marasinghe,  Denistan Croos, Ryan Fernando, Cline Bowels, Ashen Minura, Leon Costa,  Oshan Silva, Nathan Gunaratne, Ivano White, Shenalka Cooray, Sasindu  Kariyawasam, Dion Fernando, Rehon Jayasinghe, Enesh Fernando, Rasindu  Prasath, Shanuka Alahakoon, Pramoda Kavinda, Head Coach – Nilfer  Ibrahim, Assistant Coach – Dulanjana Mendis, Trainer –  Naveendra Dayan, Master in-Charge – Prashantha Ranaweera -Pictures  by Waruna Wanniarachchi

 Naveen Marasinghe (Captain)               Chamod Kavindya                             Daham Dias                               Jehan Athukorala                           Ruchitha Rodrigo                                              Vihanga Randeepa         

By M. Shamil Amit
St. Joseph’s College, having ended up as runners up in both the league and knockout tournaments, in the Dialog Under 19 inter-school rugby tournament last year had an inauspicious start to this season’s campaign, losing to underdogs St. Anthony’s College.
They are undeterred by this early blip however, looking to come back strong with five more matches remaining in the first round of the league, before the Super Round in August.

The side is led by burly No 8 Naveen Marasinghe and his team mates along with coach Nilfer Ibrahim have remedied the shortcomings of that match and head into their next match ready to challenge for the title.
Skipper Marasinghe has senior players in the likes of Sachintha Waidyanatha, Vihanga Randeepa, Ruchintha Rodrigo, Jehan Athukorala and Ishan Soyza from whom much is being expected, having unfortunately suffered a serious injury to his eye in the match against Royal College last year.
The Josephians who have been training hard since early this year will also be banking on young aspirants from whom much will be expected to fulfill their aim of laying the hands on their first league title.

They have won the knockout title once, in the year 2017, when they defeated Isipathana and have been runners up twice in 2018 losing to traditional rivals St Peter’s and 2022 to Isipathana.
However their next assignment against Wesley College is going to be crucial as last year too they underwent a defeat whilst chalking up four wins in the league segment, but came back to end up as the second best team of 2022.

League Fixtures:
June 24 vs Wesley - Royal Sports  Complex 
June 30 vs Isipathana - Royal Sports  Complex 
July 9 vs Kingswood - Pallekele 
July 15 vs S. Thomas’ - Mount Lavinia 
July 29 vs DSS - Havelock Park