GRIITY PETERITES SHATTER ROYAL,S DERAM OF A 7,S TITLE !

St.peters college came on top at the Carlton 7,s tourney when they beat the fancied royal outfit 17-12 in the schools cup final.they certainly exeled in all departments of the game and virtually ran away with the trophy.the reid avenue lads will only have to blame themselves as they simply couldnt impress unlike the other games where they dominated from start to finish.also the royalists will be quite upset as they lost a golden opportunity of winning a 7,s title which they have never been able to acheive  for almost a decade.

ISIPATHANA FALL SHORT

ISIPATHANA played there hearts out against the peterites in the semi finals but the absence of satr winger wishwmithra jayasingha and the injured duo of ashan gallage and umayanga sooriyabandara was clearly evident as they seemd to lack the resourses to muster out a win.st.peters took a early 10nil lead before isipathana made it 10-07 courtesy of a superb effort by M.Rizwan.after the break the bamba lads increased the lead 17-07 through superb try.isipathana had glorius chansed missed when the ball was dropped right in front of the try line eventhough shanka poornage was the culprit at first gaknce it was prasad devinda,s lapse as he could have continued his run and scored with out opting to pass.however isipathana hit back strongly and made it 17-14 thanks to superb  Niroshan Fernando try.however it was all too late as the peterites walked away as winners thanks to their early blitz.

Tough task ahead for the Lankans

Hosts Sri Lanka may wait till as late as Wednesday to name their final playing squad of 12 for the sixth and final leg of the inaugural Asian Sevens rugby series organized jointly by the Tharunyata Hetak Foundation and the Sri Lanka Rugby Football Union (SLRFU) titled ‘Carlton Sevens’ which is set to kick off on Nov 27 at the Sugathadasa Stadium. The Lankan contingent have an indoor practice session (Pic Sanka Vidanagama) The tournament has been divided into four groups with Asian rugby powerhouse Japan, Kazakhstan, Iran forming group ‘A’, Chinese Taipei, Thailand, Jordan being in group ‘B’, China, Malaysia, Brunei from group ‘C’ and Sri Lanka, South Korea and Pakistan filling up group ‘D’. Sri Lanka’s relatively young team, face a stiff test. The David’s of rugby have to beat both Pakistan and Goliath South Korea to avoid facing Japan in one of the Cup quarter finals. Sources said it is not about picking the best 12, but rather dropping three players as there are only 15 to choose from anyway. With drop outs and injuries, Sri Lanka will require the few seniors they have to lead from the front. Third rower Ashen Karthelis along with ace flanker Dilip Selvam and centre Chamara Vithanage will have to be at their very best. These three will also have to shepherd players like Rajan Dharshana Ettipola, and Pathan Vishwamithra Jayasinghe. Ettipola was outstanding in the Youth Asiad played earlier this year. Whether he can duplicate the same kind of form against much stiffer opposition, if picked in the final 12 - remains to be seen. Arguably the one department Sri Lanka does not have to worry about is place kicking with both wing three quarter Nuwan Hettiarachchi and Samantha Lakshan able to make maximum use of any mistakes by the opposition. Though young Kingswoodian Roshan Weeraratne is quick from the base and his contribution both for ball retention and to gain possession will be vital. Saliya Handapangoda is very quick but was not a regular member of Army during their Caltex league campaign. The seniors in the squad will also need 100 per cent from players like Niranjan Wickramaratne, Suranga Pushpakumara, Sharo Fernando and Dinusha Chaturanga to name just a few. Should the hosts get past South Korea and Pakistan, they will in all probability face formidable Kazakhstan in the quarter finals. Thus the path to Cup glory has many obstacles and it remains to be seen whether the Lankan Lions can get past all of them. Meanwhile as mentioned in these columns William Rider also known as Little Serevi will be part of the Fijian contingent that will take on Australia Legends, New Zealand Legends, South Africa, Western Samoa and Papua New Guinea in a separate sevens tournament that will be played along with the Carlton Sevens. Incidentally Papua New Guinea is coached by Waiseli Serevi. The team includes; Montgomery Diave, Alex Huau, Benjamin John, Buckley Joseph, Karo Kauna, Lawrence Kuso JNR, Albert Levi. Sova Milfred, Bobby Pao, Gare Ponda, Leo Tikot JR and Kojo Ware. Fiji from; Seremaia Nakala Buroto, Pio Tuwai, Watisoni Votu, Setafano Osonamoli Cakaunivalu, Apisai Masiyasa Naiyabo, Ratu Emosi Vucago, Jiuta Beletinikoloni Lutumailagi, William Rider, Lepani Botia Nabuliwaqa, Ratu Osea Ramodi Kolinisau, Niumaia Gaunavinaka Rokobuli and Vimaele Tuidraki.

Killing the game for the love of a chair !

Rugby is the ultimate team sport. All 15 players have to be focused on identical team goals -- to play with an intensive, aggressive style, to communicate effectively; and to perform high speed decisions and skills in synchrony. At international level every player must be strong, quick, highly skilled, well versed in the knowledge of the game. This was the opening paragraph of the foreword: The Mindset of a Champion in the book “Rugby Tough”. Food for thought for those, who are, making a mockery of a game that, had a place in the sporting history of this country. I thought to myself as I remembered the above paragraph that rugby was moving from rags to riches as news spread of the Carlton Sevens. The participation of 12 teams from the Asian region: it was not such a long time ago that countries kept away from Sri Lanka and we lost the IRB satellite status. Does it matter that Hong Kong and Singapore are not there? Additionally we have Top Rugby Nations taking part in a showpiece event as described by George Simpkin. Six teams from New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa , Fiji , Samoa , and Papua new Guinea are to play alongside as Asian teams contest for the Carlton Sevens. Opportunities for rugby followers to see teams from top rugby playing countries compete. Yet the buoyancy of interest I believe depends on the attention of the spectator who draws his inspiration which flows from the National team. What of the National team that is expected to give the push to a game that is being taken to the undertakers? The National team that has an opportunity to redeem some lost prestige of being ranked 10th in the Sevens circuit in Asia seem to be the least worry of the Administrators. With the tournament to be played on the November 27 and hardly 12 days away the team is still to start practice. The coach is yet to see seven players on a ground as a team. News is that team practices are cancelled and will start on November 17. No time to practice? The sad moment is to see the President of the interim body going on record in a morning daily stating: “I don’t know anything about this and what is happening. The best thing will be to contact the coach”. Where will we ever get if we are not focused on team goals. The irony is that with the best out of the game through suspension the not so best do not see the need to practice. The interim which is more involved in issuing statements which flare and die a natural death with no use to the game should now take the bull by the horns. It is they who theorize that national duty was priority are now humbly conceding to players who prefer a domestic tournament. There apparently is no mindset of a champion among those tasked with being caretakers of the game. What is present resembles cartoon characters that draw attention but has little to offer in concrete terms. It is not that the game has not had controversies and conflicts in the past. It always has had its moments but issues have been smoothened out and the game has continued. I remember among others: two issues of conflict the referees had with the governing body. One was when the strong willed Mohan Balasuriya who calls a spade a spade was President. When misunderstandings arose the normally stubborn Mohan initiated a dialog with the referees and sorted out the problem. Though unlike of Mohan the game being at heart he did what was best. The referees who are generally a maligned lot whose parents are remembered most of the time disrespectfully will react when they feel they are let down. It was when Harsha Mayadunne was President that another incident when the referees threatened the game. Again Harsha entered into dialog and sorted out matters as the game was more important than personalities. The question is whether the same can be said with the way things are handled where ego takes a prominent perch with no interest for the game. Towards the end of 2004 I wrote in this Column “How will history remember today's leaders of Sri Lankan rugby, compared to those giants of the past? Going by the discussions of recent times the consensus seems to be "the organization of rugby is led by small thinking people who have failed to deliver what was required of them". The passage of time will either elevate or reduce their reputation depending on what will happen in between. A lot will have to be done to transform the body that administers when the new custodians of Sri Lanka Rugby take office, early, in 2005.” It seems now those who were thought as small minds would stand taller when compared to the comic characters that adorn office courtesy the political administration. Is rugby a dying sport in Sri Lanka? We will talk about it another day if space permits. Vimal Perera is a former Rugby Referee, coach and Accredited Referees Evaluator IRB

Top rugby nations on Sri Lanka Sevens parade..

By Asanka Gammanpila

For the first time in the annals of Sri Lanka rugby, six teams from New Zealand, South Africa, Australia, Fiji, Western Samoa and Papua New Guinea will play in a showpiece event in the island from November 27 to 29 alongside the Carlton SriLankan Sevens at the Sugathadasa Stadium.

Carlton Sports Club president Namal Rajapaksa receiving the sponsorship from Jitendra R. Gunaratne president Consumer Foods Group of John Keells at a press conference yesterday at the Cinnamon Grand hotel. (Picture by Daminda Harsha Perera)

Tournament Director George Simpkin said the six teams will play separately while the Carlton Sevens will be contested by Asian nations and Sri Lanka schools teams.

“These teams will come as the Australian Legends, Fiji Barbarians, New Zealand legends, Papua New Guinea, South Africa Pool and Western Samoa Barbarians. They will have national poolists and ex-national players”, Simpkin said at a press conference to announce the launch of the event at the Cinnamon Grand Hotel in Colombo.

But Simpkin said the six countries could also send in their top teams to contest the Carlton Sevens next year when it receives official recognition from the International Rugby Board (IRB)

Another feature of the Carlton Sevens will be the presence of international Sevens legend and Fijian Waisele Serevi who will accompany the Papua New Guinea team as its coach.

The Carlton Sevens has been classified as an Asian region Sevens series contested by Japan, Kazakhstan, Iran, Taiwan, Thailand, Jordan, China, Malaysia, Brunei, South Korea, Sri Lanka and Pakistan.

John Keels Holdings are the main sponsors of the tournament while SriLankan Airlines comes in as co-sponsors.

Both sponsors expressed optimism that the tournament will give the sport and the country a facelift at a crucial stage.

The tournament is organized by the Carlton Sports Club in association with the Sri Lanka Rugby Football Union’s interim committee.There will also be a school competition along with the international matches with top school vying for honors.

SCHOOL COMPETITION DRAW-

GROUP A- Royal,St.Ann's,Uwa province

GROUP B- St.Anthony s,Maliyadewa,Sabaragamuwa

GROUP C- St.peters,Prince of wales,Carey

DESHAN SUBSHANA’ CARRYING FORWARD HIS BROTHERS LEAGACY !!!

Isipathana College has always been famous for their fast open brand of rugby. However to maintain such standards during a blockbuster game a team should tackle hard to keep their opponents at bay. This is where deshan subashanas role as a flanker comes into play. Known for his hardy tackles Deshan shared a few insights on his rugby career at pathana to *****KINGS OF RUGBY*****

Deshan started playing rugby from U-15 level and has always been famed for raising the tempo of the game with his bone crunching tackles. According to Deshan he started playing rugby because he was inspired by his brother shihan kadhushna, who was a star in the making at school.”I started playing rugby because I wanted to be like my brother” said deshan.But tragedy struck when deshan’s brother passed away under tragic circumstances. The sudden demise of their beloved brother really dented the chances of deshan’s as well as his brother pasan whom to was playing rugby at junior level, to continue the sport. Nevertheless a few months back the duo made their comeback to the game managing to overcome their grief.Deshan in particular made rapid progress as a player which earned him a place at the college 7s team on his debut year itself. Deshan made his 1st XV debut against Trinity College in 2008 and ever since then he has been a regular member of the side which is a great achievement. “Every body can’t ware the isipathana jerzy.even I was a little bit nervous when I first wore it. I still can remember that day “said deshan with a smile. Deshan played as a flanker, second rower, and even as wing three quarter proving he’s dynamic playing capabilities, which is an asset to any team. This year deshan went a step better where he improved his game which earned himself a place in the Sri Lanka youth pool. But unfortunately deshan had to withdraw due to a groin injury.” I had to withdraw from youth pool because I knew I would only worsen my injuries by doing so. But I hope I would make it next year”.

Deshan who will be donning the green jersey for the last time next year is hoping to bring back the league title back to Havelock town, while he also aims to make it through to the national youth team. Having played for two seasons deshan will be a senior player next year and the fans hopefully would be able to see the best out of this talented player during next years inter school rugby season.

*****KINGS OF RUGBY***** WISHES DESHAN ALL THE BEST IN HIS FUTURE ENDEVOURS !!!

Muqsith jaleel-pathanas tower of strength

One of the power houses in sri lankan schools rugby arena, Isipathana college has the honor of being the school which has won the most number of trophies in the schools circuit, but the league title has been a trophy which has eluded the former champions for a frustrating 10 years. however the wait would possibly be over, come 2010.thats the goal of isipathanas crack second rower muqsith jaleel.

Talking exclusively to *****kings of rugby****** muqsith shared his experiences and views of his career which has certainly got interesting day by day.musith also known as “mukka” amongst his friends started his rugby career at the tender age of 12, where he represented the college U-13 team. From there onwards he has represented the college in all age groups running up to his 1st XV career. According to muqsith the aura of the game made muqsith fall for the sport while he mentioned his father as his inspiration “I ,m grateful and I love my father for teaching and helping me to understand the game” were the words of muqsith.His rugby career fell into uncertainty when his father passed away in 2004.however just as he is bold and brave he muqsith decided to continue with the game and has never looked back since then.
muqsith donned the college 1st XV jersey in 2008 and made his debut against trinity and even though he did not make it in the starting line up in every game, he managed to be in the squad for the entire season which is a commendable achievement for any school boy ruggerite.”A pathana jersey has to be earned and you cant possibly explain it through words how hard it is to do so. Some people have even sacrificed their lives for it “said muqsith.The 2009 season was a few steps better for the tall bulky second rower as he improved his game in weight and power. His booming hits which gained much needed ground for the side and his inspiring talks on and off the field has certainly been a treat to watch.Muqsiths dream of representing sri lanka was almost realized but had to be satisfied to be selected as stand by.”In comparison to the other players I lacked a little bit of weight. Thats why think I was dropped from the side” he said .He stated that he would improve his game even more for the 2010 season and said he would try his utmost to get selected for the sri lanka youth team. “my goal is to bring back the league title back to our school and come 2010 everyone will see some spectacular rugby by pathana” said an optimistic muqsith who will don the famous green jersey for the last time next year.
Muqsith also went on to say that he would not quit the game and would play club rugby for a few years and if a sri lanka team selection arises he would not hesitate to take it. He thanked coach shamly nawaz for improving his game while he also added that he has a dream of coaching the school team one day concluded muqsith.

*****KINGS OF RUGBY***** wishes muqsith all the very best in his future endeavors.

***** KINGS OF RUGBY *****

TEAM WORK , PASSION, COMMITMENT, DETERMINATION

“At Isipathana rugby is a passion. The students play tap rugby using mango seeds during the interval”

THIS BLOG IS DEDICATED TO ALL WHO LOVES ISIPATHANA RUGBY !!!


Isipathana College Colombo formerly known as Greenlands College have niched itself a name as the most feared rugby playing team in the schools arena. They are tagged as the Kings of Schools Rugby which they have maintained since the school started playing the game in 1963. In fact they took to rugby in the year 1960 led by Randy Keller playing friendly games at under 17 level. Rugby at Isipathana they say began with Randy Keller who was an ardent spectator at all the matches that his father played for Havelock SC. His enthuasism persisted some of the senior players to have a go with the result today the Isipathanians are masters at rugby. Their first senior team to come out was in the year in 1963 which was led by Bryan Ingram which was coached by the late Y.C. Chang and the first major game was against St Anthony's College Katugastota which they came out victorious defeating their opponents by 8-3. They sounded a warning to the teams which were playing rugby and since then they have never looked back and have maintained their supremacy and lived upto their name as the Kings of Schools Rugby. Though their first win was in 1963, it was only in 1965 that the school was officially affliated to the SLRFU's schools. Since that unforgettable day which has now reached the four decade mark the Isipathanians have won exactly 53 trophies upto the last zahira invitational 7,s' tournament which concluded in july 2009. The trophies that they have won in the junior level are not included here. But the most wonderful part is that they have achieved all these without a ground of their own.

According to statistics available only Royal and S. Thomas' Mt Lavinia are near them with 13 trophies a piece followed by Trinity with seven. The three schools mentioned have a long history of rugby behind them.Just like winning the School have produced 51 national players for the past four decades. The first player to play for the national team was Randy Pietersz from there on the list goes on with many of them captaining the national team. An astonishing record for a school. Another special feature is that the school has won all the trophies which were on offer for the first time. They have anexed the league title on 12 occasions. They won the first ever school's 7's tournament which was held in 1969. Since then they have won the 7's trophy which was played for the Philip Bultjens trophy ten times including four in a row. In 1992 they had the distinction of winning six of the seven trophies that were on offer which is a record in schools rugby. In 1997 they bagged the league championship, president's trophy, the sevens and the WP 10's and they repeated the feat in the year 1999. This is a feat that no other school has achieved upto date. They also won the triple crown on five occasions in 1985, 1986, 1992, 1995 and 1997.in 2001 they won the knock out.

in the year 2004 isipathana rugby went into dark waters where they lost all their league matches and were demoted to the b division.nevetherless two years later they were once again in top flight rugby..in 2007 under damith udayanga they won all the 7,s trophies,while emerging runners up in the league and knock out finals vs the st.peters outfit.Last year they emerged as presidents trophy knock-out runners up while they clinched all the 7,s trophies on offer including the singer sri lankan 7,s for the second succesive year.Also the captain dinusha chaturanga and star prodigy sajith saranga went on to represent the national side.The team has become popular year in and year out which paved the way for sponsorships from many individuals like Kishin Butani, Sarath de Costa, Rajasingham Industries and Shutter 2000,suntel and ole. They are grateful to them not forgetting H.T. de Silva, Jayantha Fernando and his band of Old Peterites, Frankie David, Michael Loos, Y.C. Chang and also present chairmen of the rugby development committee mr Hasan Singhawansa who nurtured rugby at Isipatahana. Isipathana's achievement at rugby despite the many obstacles it has to face even at present with the lack of their own playground being the biggest has not deterred them from marching forward.they are truly kings of schools rugby!!!