Unbeaten Kandy SC proves their class eight in a row

By Shamseer Jaleel

Kandy Sports Club proved their class in tandem when they accounted for the League for a record eight in a row when they won the Nippon Paint Inter Club Rugby league 2022/2023 win. 

Further this was the 23rd title for the Kandy SC in the last 28 years who made a turn-around in things in the last three decades starting from 1994.

Kandy Sports Club was led by former Trinity 2010 skipper, Damith Dissanayake was a remarkable achievement. Many of their forwards were injured and they were on the back foot when they lost out on Roshan Weeraratne, Buwanaka Udangamuwa and Jason Dissanayake, all three migrating and Shehan Pathirana hanging up his boots.

But the youngsters, many of them playing their initial year, did really well not only to win the league but also to remain unbeaten this season. They were a professional lot attending practices and gym sessions and taking fitness as their top priority.

Defending league champions Kandy SC

Mahesh Weerasinghe their hardworking President and the committee supported well for their team on and off the field. They were sponsored by Cargills who were their Platinum sponsor while Master Card who had their debut with the Kandy SC as sponsor will never regret coming in.

Speaking to Daily FT, President of the Kandy SC, Mahesh Weerasinghe said: “It shows the commitment of the Players, coaches and rugby management. The structure is in place. 

“To end as unbeaten Champions this year is a tremendous feat especially since we lost some very good players like Jason Dissnayake, Shehan Pathirana, Buwanaka Udangamuwa and Roshan Weeraratne all went overseas and then to lose so many experienced players like Lasith Attanagoda, Heshan Kalhara for almost the whole season and Damith Dissanayake, Tharindu Chathuranga and Praveen Charles and Shanushka Abeywickrema, Dhanushka Ranjan and Yakoob Ali, for half the season due to injuries speaks well of the youngsters who filled the void. 

“Thilina Bandara, Chatura Soysa,Malitha Wijesundera, Monishan, Bawantha Dharmapala, Wajid Fahmy and Wewala Panditha played exceptionally well to ensure Kandy won the games.” 

Mahesh continued by saying the brilliant backs with Nigel Ratwatte, Tharinda Ratwatte, Lavanga Perera, Oshan Perera, Kavindu Perera, Srinarth Sooriyabandara, Dhanushka Ranjan were superb in attack and defence but the find of the season was young, Dinal Ekenayake who had an outstanding season. Suranga Tennekoon, Damien Ratwatte, Asiri Seneviratne also played their part In Kandy’s success. 

The team took off to Pasikuda for a 3-day holiday.

Kandy SC rugby squad for 2022/2023

Damith Dissanayake (captain), Danushka Ranjan, Heshan Silva, Lavanga Perera, Oshan Perera, Tharinda Ratwatte, Nigel Ratwatte, Damian Ratwatte, Uchitha Jayasuriya, Lasitha Attanagoda, Tharindu Chathuranga, Yakoob Ali, Bawantha Udangamuwa, Kavindu Perera, Heshan Jansen, Srinath Sooriyabandara, Diluksha Dange, Sanushka Abeywickrema, Suranga Tennekoon, Praveen Charles, Thilina Bandara, Malith Wijesundera, Chatura Soysa, Fawmy Wajid, Dinal Ekanayake, Milan Weerasinghe, Shemal Weerasekera, Asiri Seneviratne, Rumesh Premathilake, Malitha Jayasundera, Monishan Chandradas, Pathum Weerasinghe, Chatura Soysa, Lakshitha Ranaweera, Chamika Perera, Kavisha Bandara, Nimesh Premathilake, Sahan Wijesinghe, Dahan Nithila, Kaveesha Amarasekera, Isuru Lakshan and Suranga Kasun.

Head Coach - Fazil Marija

Forwards Coach - Buddhika Thalagampola

Team Manager - Kapila Silva

Trainer - Tharaka Algama