“IT WAS THE GREATEST FEELING EVER” – KUMENDRA

Double Champions! Kumedra Lifts the MILO Presidents Trophy in 2012

Two years ago on this day Kumendra Dharmadasa led Isipathana to a memorable triumph.It was a victory against Trinity College, Kandy to clinch the coveted “MILO, Presidents Trophy”. A victory which saw Isipathana Crown themselves as Double Champions for 2012 having already won the league title after a lapse of 12 years.The “Green Machine” had last won the president’s trophy in 2001 under Ranga Perera. Since then Isipathana had reached the finals on 4 occasions but came out 2^nd best on all 4 encounters. But Kumendra’s Chargers finally managed to get that monkey off their back as they dominated a fancied Trinity team and emerge victorious 21-17 to end a 10 year hoodoo. Kings ofRugby got in touch with the Champion No.07 to share some of his thoughts about that historic victory 2 years ago.

·         Going into this tournament what were your thoughts?

I felt the pressure to be honest. But I knew the boys had my back at all times,so that eased off the pressure and I was confident.

·         After overcoming Dharmaraja in the semifinals what were your thoughts, on facing Trinity, who were labeled favorites and who were the only team that managed to beat Isipathana in the league?

Dharamaraja were a good side. But I think we should have done better against them. So after the performance against Dharmaraja, we knew we had to get our act together. I felt we didn’t play as a team in the Semis. It’s never easy against Trinity. So we trained hard and focused on the finals.

·         since we won it last in 2001Isipathana had failed to win the Knock out title on 4 occasions having reached the finals. Did this factor bother you? Or were you simply determined to break this hoodoo?

It did not bother me actually, but we did have that thought on the back of our minds just a bit. My selfand a few of my other team mates played in the 2011finalswhich we lost, to none other than Trinity themselves. So wewere sort of experienced on what thefinal would be like. And I must say rather than being nervous, the boys were excited and up for the challenge.

·         Given the fact that you won the league via a default, was there added pressure on you before the finals?

Yes there was. Because this, was our only chance to prove ourselves. There was a lot of drama going on at that time about how the league title was decided. So we wanted to show that we are worthy champions to all the critics out there and we did.

·         How did the players respond when you reached the finals?  How did they respond during practice sessions?

2012 was all about less talk and more work on the field. We took every practice session very seriously throughout the entireseason.  And the final weekwas something special because I’ve played 1st XV rugby for 4 years. And I have not seen a team train with that much passion and determination.

·         What did the coaches advise you aboutduring the build up to the finals?

They never pushed us. They were very calm and confident. They knew exactly what to do. After the final Practice Session (captains run), All they said was “We are ready”.

·         Could you tell us the game plan for the finals against that trinity team?

Well, throughout the season we kept it very simple and basic. I can’t say there was any particular plan for the finals itself. Initially our plan was to suck in their big bulky forwards by hitting up closer to the rucks. But they seemed well prepared for that.  So at half time the coaches instructed to hit up further to the rucks sucking in the three quarters as well. It meant our Forwards were running into the trinity backs creating a mismatch. That opened up the game a little bit creating more space for our backs.

""

4 years of hard work have just paid off. The skipper with the trophy.

·         About the finals; during half time Trinity were leading. What did you say to the boys at the break?

Well mostly it was the coaches’ who did the talking. So in the huddle I only said “Boys, We need that trophy, it’s ours,and we do not give up”

·         Isipathana took over the lead and increased it further when Hirantha Perera put over two penalties with just less than 5 minutes to go. What was your instruction to the boys?  What were your thoughts at that time?

I was thinking that I should, Keep talking to the boys and not let them relax because Trinity Just needed a Converted Try to take the trophy away from us. So my instructions to the boys were “It’s not over, we have five more minutes. It’s the last five minutes of the season. Keep pushing your selves and don’t relax.”

·          What was your feeling reaction/ thoughts when Referee D.Nimal finally blew the fulltime whistle?

I fell down on my knees and couldn’t control my emotions, I Couldn’t stop crying, but they were tears of joy and relief. BecauseI realized finally, the 4 years of commitment and hard work has paid off. 

·          Its 2 years now since that memorable day. You had the honour of leading Isipathana to glory, when you wore the “Green Jersey” for the last time. Looking back at it now, what do you have to say?

It was simply“the greatest feeling ever”, and I don’t think anything will top that. But I also have to say I didn’t bring glory to Isipathana. My team did. And we couldn’t have done it without the support from our Principal, coaches’ Shamly Nawaz &BandulaMallikarachchi,Manager Chaminda Gallage, Trainer Karu sir, Physio’s Supun and Upul, The Rugby Committee, old boys including the old boys living abroad, Friends, and our Families, who helped us. Last but not least I also should thank all of the 180 boys who came in for training at least one day and of course the Diehard isipathana Rugby supporters who were always there for us.

·         So you must be really happy how things ended for you as a school boy rugby player?

I certainly am. I am proud of my team because before the season started there were so many problems we faced. We didn’t have proper ground facilities so we had to adjust accordingly. Things didn’t go according to plan in the 7s tournament and pre-season games. We didn’t perform well. So there was a lot of criticism coming in from all sides. Sadly even some of our own fans predicted that we would be demoted and get beaten by all sides. Many teams had star players in their teams that year. But I was lucky to lead a team who wanted to play as a team and win as a team. As the league progressed, so did the team. And our performances ultimately won us the league in the end. Still there were criticsout there claiming we were lucky. But by winning the Knock outs we proved something that we were the Champions in 2012. 

-Hisham Hameed-