| Sports |
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| Kingswood
stamp their class Kingswood College Kandy who introduced rugby football to Sri Lanka in 1893 stamped their class by not only winning and remaining unbeaten in the league but also by winning the schools knock out trophy. The lads from Randles Hill created history by becoming the first school team to play in the 'B' division and win the knock out in top division. For them there is no better year to do this than this one as they opened their new rugby ground this year at Randles Hill. In the opening encounter they outclassed their traditional rivals Wesley by 17-5 which was played for the Blaze trophy. Their skipper this season, centre Dinesh Siriwimala led them from the front leading by example. They continued the good form by beating St Sylvester’s 17-10, Thurstan 15-13, St Joseph's 29-7. But their best win was against the star-studded Ananda College whom they beat 32-6. The lads from Randles Hill aggregated 200 points from their 6 outings. They also beat Dharmaraja in a friendly encounter by 14-3 which was played for the William Weerasinghe Trophy. They came in to the Milo President trophy as clear favourites and lived up to the expectation by winning the trophy after a lapse of two years. Interestingly in the year 2000 also Thomians were at the receiving end losing to the lads from Kandy. In the Quarterfinals Kingswood met the "Green Shirts", even after extra time the score was deadlock at 10 a piece with both sides scoring a goal and a penalty. With hardly anything between the two side's referee called on three different players from both sides to kick at goal. With both teams kicking one correctly the match was decided on a toss of a coin where Kingswood skipper called on correctly to enter the semi finals. In one of the best games seen this season both Kingswood and St Anthony's fought tooth and nail and in the end it was the lads from Randles Hill who booked themselves a place in the grand final by beating the lads from Katugastota by a mere penalty which Eranda Weerakody converted in the third minute of the injury time. As expected the grand final was played at a hectic pace where the Thomians had an advantage with their heavy and mobile set of forwards. But the lads from Kandy who were unsettled in the initial half played with better coordination and understanding between the forwards and speedy three-quarters to edge out the Thomians by 26-22 to win the rugby's Plum. This champion side was coached Ronny Ibrahim , who is one of their old boys played for the Police SC and coming from a sporty family of six and he is the elder brother of the present Sri Lankan player Nilufer Ibrahim. Ronny knew these guys strengths and weaknesses as he has coached them from the tender age of 13. With Kandy Sports Clubs Laga helping the boys by giving valuable advises carried them a very long way Speaking to Sunday Times Ronny Ibrahim told that "They played as a unit and it was team work which earned us the victories and he praised Ikram Odayar, the former Trinity double "Lion" and the Sri Lankan player who helped the team in a big way though he was stationed in Galle and Suwaris owner of the Design Club helping the boys for the last 10 years.. With Jayatilake handling the fitness of the boys, the rugby crazy old boys rallying around the team which uplifted the moral of the team to deliver the goods in style. But last not the least special word should be given about the sporty Principal of Kingswood who is also the President of the Sri Lanka Schools Rugby Football Association giving all the support and encouragement for the boys. Ronny Ibrahim's boys have only two things left to do this season one is to win the Blaze trophy and the other is to win the Schools 7s trophy offered at the Singer Sri Lankan 7s which will worked off next month. But the lads from Randles Hill go as firm favourites when they lock horns with their traditional rivals Wesley in the second leg of the Blaze trophy. Kingswood's team this year comprises from Dinesh Siriwimala (Captain), Vinod Bandara, Widuranga Nathawitharane, Tharindu Ratnayake, Dharshana Premaratne, Achala Perera, Chinthaka Ekanayake, Fazil Marjan, Maduka Tennakoon, Eranda Weerakoddy, Kasun Kaluararchchi, Mohamed Lufthi, Mohamed Jabbar, Mohamed Akram, Gemunu Kirinda, Heshan Premaratne, Kaushalya Abeygunaratne, Mohamed Rizvi, Anuradha Gunasekera, Pradeep Weerasekera, Mohamed Lathiff, Manoj Siriwardena, Lakmal Divaratne, Navin Wijetunge and Radzi Buckman. A new look L E Blaze Trophy will be on offer for the winning side after the second leg. This brand new trophy was donated by the former National Olympic Committee Chairman and an old boy of the school Roy de Silva. |
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