Don’t write these lads off – they believe in the rubber ball theory
After spectacularly launching their campaign with an electrifying victory over Kingswood College, much was expected from a St. Joseph’s College unit which boasted imposing size, impressive skill and a seemingly indomitable will. Yet they have struggled to meet these lofty expectations and have watched their fortunes progressively disintegrate into a disappointing heap of near misses.
A few weeks ago though, they showed their capacity to not just compete with but conquer top class opposition, as they stunned Trinity College with a spectacular 18-17 win.
At present they hang two spots above the bottom of the league table due to a season fractured by losses to Royal (14-7), St. Peter’s (43-15) Isipathana (30-21) and Wesley (38-24).
Apart from their victory over Trinity, they impressively overcame Kingswood 27-21, while registering a rain-induced 7-7 draw against St. Anthony’s College.
Despite their shortage of victories, all of their performances have resonated with an undiminished spirit brimming with resilience and
Jason Melder - Captain
enthusiasm. Whenever they have lost a game they have always shown a great degree of fortitude and fought determinedly, oftentimes going head to head with opposition until the game’s waning moments.
This stems from the fact that most of the Joes are still new to the team, with thirteen players set to don the Josephian jersey for the next school rugby season. This augurs well for the team’s future prospects of success as it is undeniable that this uninhibited lot from Darley Road possesses a plentiful reserve of talent.
Furthermore, they have the advantage of being guided by one of Sri Lanka’s most respected and experienced coaches, Nihal ‘Viper’ Gunaratne, who is ably assisted by the equally-renowned Tikiri Dissanayake
St. Joseph’s also hold an enviable ace in their deck with their battle-hardened one man battering ram Captain, fifth-year second rower Jason Melder. With his size and power, Melder is hard to miss on the field and has been a real danger near his opponents’ 22, frequently ploughing through all in his path. So far he has notched up an impressively tally of eight tries this season.
Other players who have steadied the ship this year include Vice Captain, Number eight Suchintha Udumalagala, Centers Vishmitha Peries and Hasuru Gunawardena, Prop Stephan Gregory and Winger Sasheen Sudaraga.
This combination of a thick concentration of freshmen and an appropriate quantity of elder statesmen makes St. Joseph’s a side which, on its day, can mix it up with the best in the school circuit.
| St. Joseph’s College squad:Props: Osura Ranasingharachchi, Praveen Chansekaran, Vimukshan Devita, Stephan Gregory Second rows: Thulaxsan Arumugam, Shenal Algama, Roshane Jayampathi, Jason Melder (Capt), Alan de Silva, Charana Sendanayake Flankers: Minura Randula, Taariq Salih, Nuwan Fernando, Devinda Perera Hookers: Shehran Johnson, Devon Fernando, Dinuka De Silva Number 8: Suchintha Udumalagala Scrumhalf: Vimukthi Rahula, Shivanthi Ihangiah Flyhalf: Dulith Fernando, Shehan de Silva Centers: Vishmitha Peries, Hasuru Gunawardena Wingers: Janith Chanaka, Akitha Hendalage, Sandeep Algama, Sasheen Sudaraga, Akila Perera, Shehan de Silva, Romesh Priyankara Fullback: Shamilka Kurumbalapitiya Coach: Nihal Viper Guneratne Assistant coach: Tikiri Dissanayake |
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