Wesley look to revel in Blaze Trophy 2016 clash

Wesley College has been the surprise package of this year’s Singer A Division Schools Rugby League Championship. Having failed to qualify for the second round since the new 2 round league format was introduced in 2014 little notice was given to the Campbell Park boys in double blue. 

Good fortune saved the Trinity Lions the blushes in the opening round when Wesley stretched Trinity 7-5 in Pallakele and a fortnight later their “Bradby” rivals had to huff and puff to ward off a ferocious second half rally by the “zamzamzake” to win 17-14. 

In both games Wesley came short courtesy of some poor goal kicking. They bounced back against a spirited St. Joseph’s side and tournament minnows DSS to secure their passage to the “super eight” stage of the tournament. In their last encounter ill fortune continued to haunt Wesley as they went down to tournament favourites S. Thomas’ 19-00 in a mud fest at Havelock Park.

Whilst results may reveal mixed fortunes, the quality of rugby dished out by Wesley this season has won the hearts of many a neutral with a find blend of robust forwards and sleek back division. They also boast of being one of the most organised defensive outfits. 

The young Wesley team is led by 3rd year Coloursman and Prop Zayan Sabar. His Deputy is Centre Denister Goonethilake. The team is also blessed with the services of last year’s skipper Omar Kuthubdeen.  With the players of the caliber of the Lee twins Awantha and Avishka and No.8 Sashika Fernando, the Double Blues are capable of turning the tables on any team on their day.

The Blaze Trophy encounter was initiated in 1986, which Kingswood won that year under the stewardship of Ronnie Ibrahim, who later on went on to excel as a coach with a Midas’ touch in the national circuit. 

The series has generated some scintillating rugby with much fanfare from either side and the Blaze encounters are commendable and positive step — not only in the name of rugby in the two schools, but also as a strengthening of a historical bond which, with years and many changes in the country’s education, has become “nominal” and “remote”: a pale ghost compared to the shared ties of pre-nationalisation times.

Sir L.E. Blaze is honoured by Sri Lankans as the forefather of Sri Lankan school rugby, but there were many other contributions made by him to Kingswood College. Under the aegis of the Wesleyan mission, Sir Blaze left an indelible stamp over the school. 

At the outset Sir Blaze, modelled Kingswood on the English public school. He endeavoured to give meaning and substance to that often repeated phrase ‘Gentlemen of Kingswood’. He chose a motto for the school in Latin, ‘Fide et Virtute’ as was customary at the time. He then chose the distinctive school colours maroon and dark blue, and wrote the words of the Kingwood College, school song.

In honour of this great gentleman, brother schools Kingwood College Kandy and Wesley College Colombo set out to play an annual encounter of rugby. 

The first L.E. Blaze Trophy game was played on 17 July 1986. The game was won by Kingswood College that year. Kingswood was captained by Ronnie Ibrahim and Wesley by Sumedha Kuruppu.

The two brother schools, Wesley College Colombo and Kingswood College Kandy, are yet again set to showcase their prowess in rugby when they scrum down on 14 May at the Royal complex, Colombo for the coveted ‘L.E. Blaze Trophy’.

Unfortunately, Kingswood College have found the going tough this season losing all their matches in Group 1B. However, this game will give them an opportunity to bounce back and possibly upset the more fancied Wesley outfit. 

Given the traditional rivalry between the two schools it promises to be an exciting afternoon of rugby for players and spectators alike.