By: Shamseer Jaleel

(Daily Mirror) - Vidyartha College, led by the experienced Gayan Perera, will field a formidable outfit in this year’s Inter-Schools Under-19 League Rugby Tournament.

Vidyartha could be considered as the dark horse in the current Inter-Schools rugby season and they are all out to topple a few fancied teams during the League Tournament with a formidable set of three quarters.

Meanwhile, another experienced player Deshan Balasooriya is the Vice-Captain of the outfit. Vidyartha will also have experienced players of the calibre of Adhithya Ranaweera, Asintha Sahan, Diliru Ekanayake, Dilum Rajapakse and Mohamed Shakeel, who are determined to give their best.

They are coached by one of their old boys, former Navy SC and National player, Sumedha Malawana with present Kandy SC and National player, Kavindu Perera handling the back division.

Vidyartha will have five games to be played in Kandy and they will travel to Colombo twice. They will also play in the season opener against St. Joseph’s College today at Havelock Park.

Vidyartha College Under-19 Rugby Squad:

Gayan Perera (Captain), Deshan Balasooriya (Vice-Captain), Adithya Ranaweera, Mohammed Shakeek, Roshitha Malinga, Pasan Dullewa, Tharindu Rajapaksa, Helana Wijethunge, Kevin Jayasinghe, Ishara Kumara, Ashintha Sahan, Tharusha Punsara, Janidu Warisadeera, Praveen de Mel, Hevin Keshan, Pamuditha Narayana, Sanmeth Adikari, Udana Nilshan, Kavishka Welikadage, Kenula Wijthunge, Vimash de Silva, Ashen Gunathilake and Tehan Halkewala.

League fixtures:

• June 14 v St. Joseph’s at Havelock Park.
• June 23 v Royal at Nittawela Stadium.
• June 28 v Kingswood at Bogambara Stadium.
• July 7 v St. Peter’s at Nittawela Stadium.
• July 13 v Zahira at Maradana.
• July 21 v Thurstan at Nittawela Stadium.
• July 28 v Wesley at Nittawela Stadium.