Crisp and clean Isipathana through with ease

By David Stephens
 
Despite muddy conditions underfoot, Isipathana executed a game plan filled with crisp passes and blazing runs, to walk away 26-18 winners, against St. Joseph’s College, at the Royal Sports Complex yesterday.
The score line does not ful
ly reflect the dominance of Isipathana, who had a stranglehold on the match through all of the first and much of the second half. Their tries came from Winger Uditha Tharanath, No.8 Arun Kumar, Scrum Half A. Costa and Full Back Sithum Chathusanka, while the Joes were buoyed by the efforts of No.8 Jason Melder and three-quarter Stephan Gregory.

 

Isipathana No 8 Arun Kumara  

 heavy weight, but is over the tryline to 

 post the second for his school.

 (Pic Ranjith Perera)

Isipathana struck early through Tharanath, with only 10 minutes on the clock, a darting run through an already disorganized Josephian defence, which was constantly flat-footed during the early exchanges. The ensuing conversion attempt however, was wide of the mark.
The Joes promised a good fight when Rehan Thiyagarajah belted over a penalty five minutes later, but Isipathana quickly vanquished any thought of that a few minutes later.


From a lineout Isipathana worked the ball to the right of the field before, Kumar, who was a constant worry for the Joes’ defence, burst through the back line for a try, which was converted by Costa.
At 12-3, St. Joseph’s was beginning to feel the pressure and was guilty of an number of unforced errors. Not so for Isipathana, which was exhibiting impeccable handling skills even though the ball was coated in a thin layer of mud. They quickly exploited the gaps in the Josephian defence to record another try through Costa in the 38th minute.
Isipathana nearly extended the lead at the brink of halftime, but Kumar dropped the ball right before crossing the line. Coming out for the second half, St. Joseph’s was a lot more sensible with its defence and thwarted numerous scoring opportunities of the opponents. By managing to frustrate Isipathana, the Joes began to grow in confidence and used their superior size to score in the 60th minute, Jason Melder powerfully thrusting himself over the line.
However, Chathusanka quickly darted over the line a little while later to restore order and promptly seal the result. Nevertheless, both Gregory and Melder hit back with tries of their own to highlight the fact that although Isipathana was the far superior team, they sometimes are too eager to take their foot off the pedal.

Referee D.Nimal 

Sunday 29th April, 2012 - The Sunday Times 

Isipathana looking for the crown

Thushan JAYASURIYA 

Isipathana College, which has been in the forefront of schools rugby for over three decades are packed with talented players and will be striving to clinch the Singer League Rugby championship this year.

Kumendra Dharmadasa (Captain)

Shenal Dias (Vice Captain)

Though they were beaten by Royal College (10-11) last year, they were able to emerge runners-up of the league by winning the other matches.
This year the side will be led by Kumendra Dharmadasa, an experienced player of the team.
The squad comprises of four coloursmen and eight senior players.
Ganuka Dissanayake will play as the prop forward of the team while Ashan Darling, Ushan Charuka and Sudheera Karunaratne will fight for other prop forward’ s berths. Manaka Siriwardena will battle it out for the hooker’s position.
The impressive Ganidu Lakshan is assured of one lock forward's position.
The players who are trying to gain a place as lock forwards are Malith Ranga and Heshan Maldeniya.
Skipper Kumendra Dharmadasa will play in his pet position of flanker.
The others who could fit in as flankers are Senal Deelaka and Hastha Udyoga.
Seasoned player Arun Kumar will play as the Number eight. He has made a great contribution to the team on past matches.
The experienced Kavindu Costa, is the first choice for the scrum half berth.
The other player who is eyeing this position is Sudam Parinda.
The regular fly half will be Hirantha Perera with Dilshan Viduranga making a strong bid to oust him.

Isipathana College rugby pool. Pictures by Wasitha Patabendige

The quartet who are fighting for the centre berths are Shyamal Chathuranga, Pabasara Madhawa, Ashan Kovinda and Kushan Indunil.

Shenal Dias will once again play as a winger. The duo who are battling for the other position are Isanga Panchama and Uditha Tharanatha.

The experienced Sithum Chathusanka will once again occupy the last line of defence.
Last year the Pathanas beat Dharmaraja Kandy (37-15), St.Peter’s (42-29), Trinity (23-18), Science (23-17), S.Thomas’ (77-06) and Kingswood (10-05). They became the runners-up of the last season after beatene by Royal ( 11-10) by a single point. The coach of the team, Shamly Nawaz says that their prime intention is to win all the remaining matches for this season and win the league title this time.

Despite suffering the setback of being held to 19 all draw by Vidyartha. He also mentioned that he hopes to build up the side with new young players.
Their remaining fixtures are April 28 against St.Joseph’s at Air Force Grounds Ratmalana, May 12 against Kingswood at CR and FC, May 18 against Trinity at CR and FC, May 25 against D.S.S.C., June 01 against Science College at CR and FC, June 08 against St.Anthony’s Kandy at CR and FC, June 16 against St.Peter’s at CR and FC, June 22 against Royal at CR and FC, June 30 against Thurstan at CR and FC . The players are getting the maximum support from the Principal A.C.Perera and The Prefect Of Games cum Master In Charge Gamini Sarathchandra.

The Isipathana Under 19 Rugby Squad
Captain: Kumendra Dharmadasa
Vice Captain : Shenal Dias
Prop Forwards : Sudheera Karunaratne, Danuka Dissanayake, Ashan Darling, Ushan Charuka.
Hookers : Manaka Siriwardena
Lock Forwards : Ganidu Lakshan, Malith Ranga, Heshan Maldeniya.
Flankers : Kumendra Dharmadasa, Senal Deelaka, Hastha Udyoga
No 8 : Arun Kumar
Scrum Half : Kavindu Costa, Sudam Parinda
Fly Half : Hirantha Costa, Dilshan Viduranga
Centres : Shamal Chathuranga, Pabasara Madhawa, Ashan Kovinda, Kushan Indunil
Wingers: Shenal Dias, Isanga Panchama, Uditha Tharanatha.
Full Back : Sithum Chathuranga.
Coach : Shamley Nawaz
Assistant Coach : Bandula Mallikaarachchi
Physical Trainer : H.Karunaratne

Saturday 28th, April 2012  - Daily News

Isipathana aspiring to go one step further

By Chathura Pinnawala

Isipathana’s performance last season was an attention-drawer in many ways. Their style was reminiscent of the glory days and that has been perpetual in the preceding seasons too, but what parted company with the past few years was the consistency. It’s clear from the fact that if not for a narrow reversal against the eventual champions, Royal, they could be readying their guns for a title defence.

The Prasad Devinda led side reached the Knock-out final, before being knackered by Trinity and if they can continue that rich vein of consistency, this could well be the year that they put to bed the anomaly of a lack of the League Championship for 10 years which is not worthy of Isipathana’s fleet-footed reputation.

Isipathana rugby started in 1962 and the first captain was Bryan Ingram. Randy Keller was influential in introducing rugby to the school and under the management of Y. C. Chang they beat St. Anthony’s 8-3 in the first ever match. Ever since, their dominance is an all told story and through the years, they have produced 56 national players and four captains. True to form, Isipathana have had access to 13 league titles, eight knock-out titles and 11 triple crowns. In the condensed version, the sevens, they are 19 time champions and stamped their authority in International Singer Sevens, winning it four times.

Their achievement summit was in 1992, when the sweeping of six trophies out of seven on offer was fulfilled under Champika Nishantha. Underachieving is certainly not something that be attributed to Isipathana rugby.

The team is skippered by third year coloursman and flanker Kumendra Dharmadasa and their forward line will consist of Ushan Charuka and Ganuka Dissanayake (props), Manaka Siriwardena (hooker), Malith Gomes and Ganindu Dissanayake (second-row) and Senal Deelaka. Traditionally, the forwards aren’t the stronghold of ‘Pathana’ and their pack is lightweight, compared to the others, but in the first match against Vidyartha, they were able to hold their end tight and coach Shamly Nawaz believes they’ll get better as the season progresses.

"Our forwards were solid against Vidyartha. Last year too we had a strong forward line. I think they’ll get better as the season goes on, because we got much needed experience there."

Nawaz was outspoken about the target of the year too. "We always brace for a season with the sole intention of winning the title and this year is no different. There’ll be up and downs like the Vidyartha game, but that doesn’t alter our plans."

The No 8 jersey is worn by Arun Kumar and Kavindu Costa is the scrum half and they have huge boots to fill in Sajid Suhaib, who was gallant in the positions last year. Hirantha Perera will walk into the fly half role vacated by previous captain Devinda and Shenal Dias and Pabasara Madhawa in the wings will have the gruesome task of living up to the expectations those jerseys carry with it in Pathana rugby. Shamal Chathuranga and Uditha Premathilake are the two centers while Sithum Chathusanka at fullback completes the line-up.

Who are the players to look out for? "Shamal Chathuranga is one player we have high hopes about. He was unlucky to miss out on the junior national squad last year due to an injury he sustained. Flanker Senal Deelaka is another exciting prospect and we have earmarked him as a player who can lead the side in the future. Apart from that, captain Dharmadasa, No 8 Kumar, fullback Chathusanka are some who are bound to show their colours."

Is the 10 year procrastination about to end?

Isipathana College Squad:

Kumendra Dharmadasa (Captain), Shenal Dias (Vice Captain), Ushan Charuka, Manaka Siriwardena, Ganuka Dissanayake, Malith Gomes, Ganindu Weerasinghe, Senal Deelaka, Arun Kumar, Kavindu Costa, Hirantha Perera, Shamal Chathuranga, Pabasara Madhawa, Sithum Chathusanka and Uditha Premathilake.

Reserves: Hasitha Udyoga, Heshan Maldeniya, Ruchira Dilshan, Ashan Darling, Sudeera Karunaratne, Ashan Kovinda, Dilshan Viduranga, Isanga Panchama, Sudam Parinda and Kushan Indunil.

Monday 24th April, 2012 - The Island

Vidyartha earn face-saving 19 all draw against Isipathana

Isipathana College looked just about set to ease the mounting pressure on them pull off a thriller when Vidyartha College, Kandy scored a last gasp penalty and earned a face-saving 19 all draw in their Singer Division 1 Group A rugby match at Royal Sports Complex in Colombo last evening.

The Green Shirts ran like gazelles in the loose and threatened time again to punch holes in the Kandy team’s defence. But running down as many as three tries looked insufficient in the face of a severe onslaught by Vidyartha, who counterattacked quite well. The visiting team from Kandy collected their points through a try, a drop goal, a conversion and three penalties. The only drawback in the Vidyartha players was that they were quite often undecided or slow in thinking when in possession of the ball.

Vidyartha had a rousing start to the game taking a 10-0 lead 30 minutes into the game through a penalty, a conversion and a try by A.G.R Amarasiri, who beat fumbling Isipathana full back Sithum Chathusanka to the try line.

Isipathana’s response came very late in the second-half when they produced two tries through number eight Arun Kumar and full back Chathusanka who beat the defence with a burst of speed. With M.K Costa booting through the conversions Isipathana went into half-time leading 14-10.

Vidyartha closed in on the host’s score, right after the resumption when A.J Bandara dropped a goal.

There was even contest for possession between the two teams for the next 20 minutes, but what made an appreciative Sunday crowd sit up and take note was when Isipathana was reduced to 14 men as a result of a yellow card. Referee Arshad Carder became the cynosure of all eyes when he yellow carded two members of the Vidyartha ‘bench’ for unwarranted entry into the ground.

A moment later Vidyartha seemed to have scored, but the referee blew the Isipathana back division for not observing the 10 metre rule in a set piece which benefitted the Kandy team who were later informed that the try was disallowed because there was a forward pass after the infringement. Vidyartha’s C.J Fernando made no mistake with the penalty kick to put his team 16-14 in the lead.

Vidyartha experienced jitters minutes later when Isipathan were presented with a penalty, but Costa fluffed a crucial penalty in front of the posts.

Isipathana fired all cylinders five minutes before the end and took the lead when hard working third row forward Kumar crashed in for his second try of the game. Fly half J.K.H Perera had trouble adding the extra points.

Vidyartha tried real hard towards the end and succeeded when they earned the match-winning penalty which was turned into points by Fernando.

(RN)

Monday 23rd April, 2012 - The Island

Singer rewards champion school rugby teams

M. Farook Lantra 

The Singer League 2011 Rugby Award Ceremony was held recently at Hotel Galadari. Royal who remained unbeaten by winning all the eleven league matches played last year was awarded the coveted Singer Championship title by the Chief Guest Asoka Peiris, Chief Executive Officer Singer Group of Companies in Sri Lanka. The Runners-up in Division one were Isipathana College who also received the Runners-up trophy from the chief guest.

Others who were present were Ranjith Chandrasekara, President Sri Lanka Schools Rugby Football Association (SLSRFA), Nasser Majeed Marketing Director, Singer Sri Lanka PLC, Kumar Samarasingha, Director Sales and Sewing Marketing, Chitral Perera, Director, Human Resources, Brigadier Rtd. W.G.K. Ariyaratne Principal Trinity College and Sarathchandra Silva, Deputy President.

Nasser Majeed Marketing Director Singer, revealed that Singer which has a long history of 134 years in Sri Lanka and 160 years in the world. This giant sponsor Singer who have spent a substantial amount, an association that spans from 2004 is proud to continue supporting the development of schools rugby in Sri Lanka through its organization of its annual tournament.

The Singer League Tournament 2011 showcased the talent and skills of the 1st XV players from 90 teams featured a total of nearly 350 games in Div. I, II, and III.

The tournament was conducted in association with the caretaker of Sri Lanka Schools Rugby.
Using the opportunity not only to reaffirm its support of the game but also to honour its star players, Singer bestowed special awards upon group champions and runners-up of 2011 league tournament at the event.

Ranjith Chandrasekara, President SLSRFA also spoke which was fruitful. He also thanked the Secretary Susantha Mendis, Master in Charge, Coaches and the President of SLRFU and teams. Also Chandrasekara thanked the members of Sri Lanka Rugby Referees Society and its President.

Monday 16th April, 2012  - Daily News

ARFU acceptance for Dilroy

The Asian Rugby Football Union (ARFU) has accepted veteran international rugby referee Dilroy Fernando as a member of the ARFU Referees' Committee. Dilroy is an experienced umpire and has refereed more than 25 international matches. He was a one time CEO in the SLRFU and held the Presidency of the Referees' Association as well.

He is a Director of the Agoal Rugby Academy and a former Chairman of Isipathana Rugby and CR&FC.

 
Wednesday 11th April, 2012 - Daily News

Maurice de Silva: Miracle and Mastery of Rugby

M.V. Muhsin 

It was some fifty years ago. For ruggerite Maurice de Silva the evening started just as an ordinary day. Maurice warming up at Havelock Park. He was practicing throwing the javelin as a way of strengthening his arms. So he hurled the javelin a good distance and was happy with his throw.
His friend Carl Fernando was some distance away and Maurice called out and asked Carl to throw the Javelin back. Carl obliged! Maurice who was away from the line of sight stepped back into the arena and here was Carl with unintended geometrical precision making its way toward Maurice.
It took only a split second, and the javelin pierced---yes pierced-Maurice’s neck. Maurice fell down flat on the grass with the spear embedded in his neck. David Hoffman who was nearby ran towards Maurice and seeing the Javelin stuck in Maurice’s neck yanked the Javelin out.

Within minutes Dr. Larry Foenander who was at the club house was on site and was horrified with what had happened and even astonished that Maurice was still alive. Doc Larry castigated David for the hasty action of pulling the javelin out, stating that the action could well have been a fatal one.
Rushed to the hospital, Dr. Rustomjee determined that the javelin has missed the voice box and the jugular vein! If this was not a miracle, then I know of no other! That Maurice, now in his mid seventies, lives to tell this spine chilling event on his present visit to Colombo is a story that defies incredulity. The headline in the Daily News next day screamed: An Inch Away from Death!”
For those of us who were Rugby fans in Kandy, Maurice de Silva was a hero. EW Balasuriya drafted Maurice to coach the Kandy Lake Club which was regarded as an upstart by the Colombo clubs as well as the Kandy Sports club. How dare the Lake Club take on the establishment?! But Maurice turned the table on them.

He moulded a collection of unremarkable rugby players into a well coordinated pack of terriers who played excellent rugby. I recall how he told Gavin Stevens who was playing wing forward-hey, you are a born bloody prop and that’s where I want you to play. Maurice did not fit places with people; rather, he identified inherent talents and fitted people into places.

While Maurice was in Kandy, he was approached by St. Anthony’s to coach the school side. The outcome was startling. That year St. Anthony’s beat Trinity for the first time. Not long afterwards Maurice also coached Issipathana which team had the Savangham brothers and Saranapala to boot. And yes, Isipathana had a meteoric rise in the school rugby firmament. 

As a rugby player himself and a Peterite and Ceylon cap, Maurice was a brilliant Centre. He modeled his play on the lessons he learnt from his uncle Archibald Perera the ace Peterite coach.

In playing for Ceylon, Maurice paired well with Nimal Maralande who was a role model. In those days the rugby greats we knew believed fervently that rugby was a “running game” and if you do not run, then it’s really not rugby that they played. Maurice was known for the art of chip kicking and punting.


At times he used even his knee to chip kick. I think it was that memorable match in 1963 against Calcutta when Neville Sheddon the Army sprinter who was playing wing three-quarter was injured. In those days substitutions were not allowed.

And so Nimal Maralande pulled Sari de Sylva who was playing forward to drop back and play wing , a position that Sari was not accustomed to nor desired. The story goes that Maurice sensed Sari’s discomfort, but urged him not to worry.

As the ball came down the line Maurice asked Sari to come inside and within a split second Maurice sold a dummy-scissor to Sari and crisscrossed his way to score, while Sari suffered the brunt of tackles as the Calcutta players heaped on him in the belief that the ball was with him. Larry Foenander who was refereeing said that this was a remarkable move, and that the dummy scissor even foxed the referee!

And so as Maurice de Silva makes his way to Kandy and to the Havelocks, many more stories will be recounted. But the main message that comes to mind is what fine players we had who treated the art of open rugby as their religion-as good lesson as the Rugby season opens.

Tuesday 10th April, 2012 - Daily News

Sri Lanka in search of glory in Manila in Manila

In a quest of regaining a place in the top division of the Asian Five Nation Rugby Division One segment,Sri Lanka ruggerites will leave for Manila, Philippines tomorrow to take part in the important contest to be held from April 14 to 21.

Sri Lanka squad

Yositha Rajapaksa (Navy ,Captain ), Henry Terrence (Havelocks), Achala Perera (Kandy SC), Kishore Jehan (Kandy), Hasitha Perera (Up-Country Lions), Sharo Fernando (Up-Country Lions), SajithSaranga (Kandy), Sumedha Malawana (Navy), Srinath Sooriyabandara (Up-Country Lions), Rehan Weerakoon (Navy), Charith Seneviratne (Air Force), Dinusha Chaturanga (Navy), Dinesh Kumara (Havelocks), Reza Mubarak (CR&FC), Sandun Herath ( Havelocks), Nushal Meepage (Army), Sathya Ranatunga ( Navy), Namal Rajapakse (Navy), G.Ratnayake (Kandy), Saliya Handapangoda( Army), Dhiren Warnakulasuriya ( Havelocks), Dev Anand (Navy), Mohammed Sherif (CR&FC), Suranga Pushpakumara (Navy), Manager. Air Commodore Leonard Rodrigo. Coach. Phil Greening, Assistant coach. Sanath Martis

Under the guidance of new coach, Welshman Phil Greening and skipper Yositha Rajapaksa Sri Lanka will field a young and talented outfit and are confident of giving a good run for their money when they confront Chinese Taipei, Singapore and host Philippines.
The Sri Lankans who played in the top division last year held UAE to a draw, but were soundly beaten by Asian heavyweights Japan, Hong Kong and Kazakhstan which resulted in them being relegated to the lower division. But will go all out this year to win the Asian Five Nations and get promoted again to the top division.
The Sri Lanka team is a blend of youth and experience led by skipper Yositha Rajapaksa who has been a source of inspiration to his team mates with his fiery loose play, ably supported by seasoned campaigners Kishore Jehan, Achala Perera, Sajith Saranga, Charith Seneviratne, Reza Mubarak and strurdily built Sumedha Malewana and talented youngsters Sharo Fernando, Srinath Sooriyabandara, Rehan Weerakoon and Sandun Herath and will endeavour to give of their best.

Skipper Yositha Rajapaksa said on the eve of departure of the team that his team has been practicing vigourously for the last three weeks under the expertise of the new coach Phil Greening and are confident and determined to give a good account of themselves despite a few senior players opting out for personal reasons. Yositha also said that it is a pride to represent the country at any given time as playing for the country is the greatest asset in a player's career. He was also confident of getting the best of each player as his one ambition was in bringing glory and honour to the country.
Coach Phil Greening expected the competition to be a stiff one. “Lanka will face tough competition specially from the vastly improved Philippines and Singapore. But I am confident that the team will overcome all obstacles and gain promotion to the Asia division one ,where next year where they will be pitted against Japan,Hong kong, Kazakahstan and the UAE. Greening also said that the priority of the players should be to play for the country which is the ultimate goal of every ruggerite.
The team prior to leaving to their final destination Philippines will practice with the Hong Kong team in Hong Kong which will no doubt sharpen their skills and provide them with valuable exposure.


Sunday 8th April, 2012 - Sunday Observer