Tyrrell Rajapakse’s Class of 1987 were unbeaten champions
Trinity College undoubtedly is one of the leading schools to produce some classy rugby players to the nation, taking to rugby like ‘ducks to water’. The game is the core sport in the Central Hill school which produced formidable outfits for decades.
The history of Trinity rugby dates back to 1906 playing against Kingswood becoming only the second school in the country to do so.
During their 114 years of rugby many teams have come out on top especially in the years 1956, 1977 and 1987 but the Tyrrell Rajapakse’s incredible 1987 side was outstanding for many reasons. They were the unbeaten School League champions and went on to win the then PresidentPremadasa Trophy knock out tournament. They not only remained unbeaten the whole season but also kept a record of conceding lesser points against opposition team with only Isipathana crossing their line that too with a solitary try. This record for sure will remain for a long time being unbroken for 33 years.
In 1987 they beat Thurstan (34-0), Isipathana (15-6), Ananda (14-3), St. Anthony’s (47-0), St. Joseph’s (56-0), S. Thomas’ (52-0), St. Peter’s (11-3), Royal (7-3 first leg) and (19-3 second leg).
The first leg of the Bradby Shield encounter was played at the Bogambara Stadium in Kandy where Trinity was expected a ‘cake walk’ but it was a close game where Royal fought back under Suren Madanayake. After a three-all first half, Trinity fly half Shah Doole worked the three quarter-line for their star centre Rajiv Bandaranayake to dummy his way quite a distance and unselfishly pass the ball for full back Inthi Marikar to cover another 30 metres and score by the corner flag. Though Royal came near Trinity line, the visitors were denied by super defence with skipper Tyrrell Rajapakse and Lohan Ratwatte being outstanding.
Though the second leg in Colombo was expected to be a close game, Trinity won easily 19-3 at the Sugathadasa Stadium. The game between the two Bradby encounters was against St. Peter’s which too was also a tough outing for the Lions who prevailed 11-3 in the end despite the injury to their star fly half and ace goal kicker Shah Doole.
In the Knockout tournament, they beat Royal (10-6), Kingswood (11-6) and Isipathana (12-3). They won all their 12 matches that season plus beating both Royal and Isipathana twice in a remarkable effort. In total they accumulated 288 points while conceding only 33 points at an average of less than three points per game against their opponents which is outstanding at any level.
Going down memory lane, 1987 Trinity skipper Rajapakse speaking to the Sunday Times from Canada, said: “We had a great start by team building sessions very early in the season. We trained hard as a team and we had many weightlifters in the side which helped us in the end. We got permission to run a tuck shop and sold food after school hours which helped us to improve our team spirit during Trinity and national team cricket matches at the Asgiriya Stadium which was hosting international matches then in 1986/87. Also, during school intervals, the majority of the squad of 40 plus players met for lunch breaks and always shared our home-made lunch with the boarders and everyone.”
“We wanted to stay fit mentally and physically. We did not want any side to cross our line. We almost did it with only Isipathana being able to do so against us the whole season. Boys were great and having a ‘Lion’ in 1986 helped me a lot in leadership, authority and decision making. I did not want division within the team. Also, I want to tell that even our Second XV squad was brilliant by winning all the 10 matches under Jeremy David. So, I was never worried of injuries during the season as I had ample choice for replacements. Shah Doole was my vice-captain and seniors such as Lohan, Rajiv, Inthi, Dilshan and Shah were a great asset for me supporting all the way. We would have won the Sevens too but unfortunately, I had an injury and we pulled out of the tournament before it commenced. Last but not the least without the support of late Alex Lazarus, our head coach we wouldn’t have achieved anything. He gave excellent support during the season,” recalled Rajapakse.
At the end of the season for their remarkable achievement in their rugby history, then Trinity Principal, Rev. W.G. Wickremasinghe and head coach Alex Lazarus awarded the ‘Lion’, the highest award for any sport in Trinity, to eight members of the team. They were skipper Rajapakse, Shah Doole, Dilshan Senanayake, Lohan Ratwatte, Dasarath Kiridena, Rajiv Bandaranayake, Senani Gunaratne and Inthi Marikar.
Colours were awarded to 11 players. They were Ravi Kahatapitiya, Janindha Dunuwille, Prasad Dissanayake, Nishantha Abeysinghe, Prasanna Samarasinghe, Thakshala Hettiarachchi, Rohan Ranaraja, Bindu Dandeniya, Nilantha Ratnayake, Upul Gunaratne and Harikesh Wijenathan. Prasad Samarasinghe and Bindu Dandeniya were re-awarded colours.
From the 1987 squad, players such as Rajapakse and Ratwatte went on to represent Kandy Sports Club while Marikar and Doole went to make their debut for CR&FC. Marikar went one step further being appointed as the Head Coach of the national sevens outfit and also head the High Performance Unit of Sri Lanka Rugby Football Union.
Nilantha Ratnayake, who also was a fine athlete, went on to represent the national cricket team in one-day internationals in Australia. Another remarkable coincidence was that Rajiv Bandaranayake’s grandfather and father both won the ‘Lion’ for cricket and rugby football at the Kandy school. Last year his son Reshan Bandaranayake won his ‘Lion’ after bringing the Sevens trophy to Trinity after lapse of 42 years.