Watch out for giant-killers Science College

Science College Rugby Pool for 2024 - Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe
 

By M. Shamil Amit

Science College, Mount Lavinia, having taken up rugby in 1978, have reached vast strides and are noted for their do-or-die approach and giant-killing performances, which began with an upset win against hometown rivals S. Thomas’ College in 1981.

Since then, they have made vast strides and have gone on to record stunning wins against most of the leading rugby playing schools in the island. 

The best achievement in their short history was the win against Isipathana College whom they defeated in the President’s Trophy final to emerge champions in 2015.

Apart from that, they were the Under-18 Seven-A-Side champions for three successive years in 2016, 2017 and 2018 but unfortunately in the recent past due to the lack of financial support they have been forced to take the back seat.

Last season, they were able to chalk up only one win but this time the tide seems have to have changed as they showed their prowess with a comfortable 27-14 win in the first match of the tournament against St. Anthony’s College.

This year the side is led by Anuradha Lakshan with his two deputies Isuru Vithanage and Oshada Dilruwan and in all they possess 10 players who represented the side last year. 

Science College under the guidance of Chamara Vithanage - former Kandy SC and Sri Lanka national player - in his first year as coach, along with his assistants Shehan Dias, who is the forwards coach and Amantha Perera, the trainer and back division coach, has instilled discipline and is confident that the boys are capable of pulling off more surprises.

Following the successful start to the season they are billed to play six more matches with five at the Air Force SC Grounds in Ratmalana, which is their home ground and one in Kandy.