ODDS AGAINST S. THOMAS’ WHEN THEY CROSS SWORDS WITH SJC THIS WEEK
The rest of the tournament has been called off and the Thomians were declared winners of Division B
Quite a remarkable turn has taken over S. Thomas’ College rugby this season. After a disastrous season in 2011 (resulting in S. Thomas’ having been relegated from Division A to Division B, and just missing out on promotion in 2012), these young lads have proved their critics wrong in every sense being unbeaten so far this season.
The Thomians played Mahanama College on May 31 and according to Jivan Goonetilleke, Coach, S. Thomas’ College, Mt Lavinia it was no easy game. “We played well to beat a spirited Mahanama College (43-17). It was a tough match as we started without Devin Jayasinghe who was recovering from an injury but we were able to capitalise on our strengths in the second half to come out on top. The rest of the tournament has been called off and the Thomians were declared winners of Division B,” Goonetilleke said.
The boys from Mt Lavinia will be meeting St. Joseph’s College this week (Saturday June 15), which is bound to be a tough encounter as the Thomians have not been successful in winning the Lady Jayatilake Shield for two years.
According to Grant Dwyer, Director, Rugby, S. Thomas’ College, Mt. Lavinia, “The odds are stacked against the Thomians as they are unbeaten,” and the pressure will be on the Thomians to continue their winning streak. Dwyer went on to add that this year’s team isn’t a particularly strong side but stressed, “What we do have is a determined and dedicated team.” He added that they have a strong spine along with an experienced front row with Rashenka Pilapitiya (Second Row).
There is definitely a big enough difference between Divisions A and B with matches being played in Division B having the ability to quickly balloon out into a cricket score, Dwyer explains.
Having said this, the Thomians did beat Trinity College (29 - 15) in their encounter this season, “We ambushed them,” Dwyer says adding that structure played a good part in the positive outcome of the game with the Trinitians.
“Devin’s an outstanding player due to his sheer ability, he is a new catalyst for Sri Lankan Schools Rugby,” Dwyer said of Fly Half and captain Devin Jayasinghe adding, “Devin should get noticed for national level.” He added that there is good leadership in the back and the front in Damithra Peiris (Flanker), Hasika Senanayake (Centre) while the Full Back Aathis Jawarth is good all round, having got many years under his belt.
Dwyer stressed that they take each game as it comes and as a result their focus will be on the strong Josephian team who they will meet this weekend while they will meet Royal College and St. Peter’s College on June 22 and 29, respectively. “As for now our goal is to take each game at a time,” Dwyer said.
Captain Jayasinghe says the coaching staff has made a big impact on the team’s performance this year. He went on to explain, “We lost all the trophies last year so the team have the will and mentality to win. Therefore they train a lot harder and in additional the whole team has been playing well as a unit this season.” Dwyer’s and Goonetilleke’s input aside, Dhanushka Boteju (the former Sri Lanka Prop Forward) is also behind the success of the team giving them some well needed input and strong coaching support.
Jayasinghe sums up by saying that all the hard work the team has put in for this season has paid off with them being promoted once again to Division A.