Sneak Peek into Schools Rugby 2025 – Part II  Symphony or damn?

Following the mega blockbuster hit Knockout Tourney revived by the ingenious minds at the Sri Lanka Schools Rugby Football Association (SLSRFA), the anticipation for the Schools Rugby League has rekindled fires of hope and aspiration in the hearts of the rugby loving masses in Sri Lanka. The massive success and the collection obtained at the Knockout Tournament would permit the SLSRFA to resume some of the events that were not held last year due to the lack of sufficient funds such as, the Girls Tournament, U18 Boys 7s Tournament, U14 Boys Segment 2 and 3 Tournaments, etc. Shadowing this successful format, the present structure of the ‘Segment A’ League consisting of 18 Teams shall continue in the future years as well, along with 2 demotions from Division 1A, and 2 promotions from Division 1B each year.

 Readers who missed the first part of this article covering the top 10 schools from last year’s Points Table can find it in the link below, whereas this piece covers the last 8. 

https://www.ft.lk/columns/What-s-cooking-inside-the-Rugby-Camps/4-775622

The massive success and the collection obtained at the Knockout Tournament would permit the SLSRFA to resume some of the events that were not held last year due to the lack of sufficient funds such as, the Girls Tournament, U18 Boys 7s Tournament, U14 Boys Segment 2 and 3 Tournaments, etc.

 Dharmaraja College Kandy made a cameo, but impactful appearance at the Knockouts with one of their best performances in the past several years, only to find the limelight stolen from them in the last 5 minutes of the game by DSS. Infusing and unleashing their best formula of Rugby in many years, displaying fine, aggressive but methodical support play combined with clock-work game continuity shall enable most of their onslaughts to be highly rewarding. Once the few shortcomings are corrected in their Camp, such as the solidification of strength and conditioning that uplifts their muscular endurance, alongside continuous focused attention to adhere to the laws of the game, especially when defending, expect Rajans to cause a few upsets this season with the return of Head Coach Dinesh Gamage.

 The Maroon Jerseys from Mt. Lavinia are set out to display a flamboyant game of fast open rugby this season, marshalled by Collin Denish who returns to David’s Den after many years. Last time when Collin was consultant coach, Science College grabbed their first President’s Knockout Trophy in 2015. Wait to find out if Denish’s best laid plans can fell a few medium sized Goliaths this summer, at a Colosseum near you.

 Following a rather disappointing season last year, with the Backs carrying most of the weight of the Eagles, drastic changes were required to set them adrift, once again. Head Coach Saliya Kumara takes on the responsibility of reinstating the Eagles to the peak, bringing with him heaps of experience and know-how from the highly resourceful Green Camp that he dwelled in for the past three years. Although a Head Coach usually cannot be expected to turn things around in his first year, the deep-rooted rugby culture at St. Anthony’s College should certainly enable him to boost them up to the Cup Segment in the 2025 edition of the League.

Randles Hill that pioneered schools Rugby in Sri Lanka, consisting over a century of rich rugby culture and heritage, unfortunately has been through a brief Ice Age since the pandemic struck, that left its rugby underneath the thick Glaciers, lifeless. The resurrection and revival of such a phoenix, can only be magnificently orchestrated by a legend who encompasses a long-term strategic vision, which called for none other than veteran Coach Ananda Kasthuriarachchi, a.k.a. Castro, to take on the massively challenging burden as Director of Rugby at Kingswood College Kandy. Their maiden outing at the Knockouts was a testament to how Kingwood Rugby has been turned on its head, and has been redirected into a renewed pathway and philosophy. Thunderbolt tackles, followed by fiercely competed breakdowns, added with the surprise element of turnovers, trailed by the astonishment of counterattacks, powered by superior Maul Muscles combined with its associated skills - all of this lays out the epic linen Canvas, with oil paints in vibrant colours, and the necessary core tools to paint a novel episode of an all-new Saga of Kingswood Rugby. Expect Randles Hill to affect its first avalanche with a danger scale of 5 on the opening weekend at Lavinia Mount, if its indiscipline could be curtailed to less than 10.

 In an attempt to strengthen the footing and the quality of rugby to measure up to the upper Division, the first most sensible thing to do is harden one’s defence, and then work to ensure that it stays that way during the full 70 minutes of the game. Needless to reiterate, one cannot expect to lose gracefully, let alone win, if one cannot keep that penalty count within a reasonable limit. Although Wariyapola Sri Sumangala College Kandy has put in a reasonable amount of effort towards the first goal, we are yet to see their game being cleaned up. While this is being accomplished, they can focus on improving the other aspects of the game that could earn them a few wins, which in turn would allow them to consolidate their position in Segment A.

Once  reached, the second round could turn out to be quite intense, consisting of very close nail-biting finishes in each Segment, viz. Cup, Plate and Bowl. May the 80 plus League games be played with utmost passion, enthusiasm and the will to win; but let discipline, humanity and sportsmanship be the order of each and every day.

Although remaining unbeaten in ‘Segment B’, for a School that re-entered ‘Segment A’ after more than a decade, several crucial aspects prevent them from competing at the highest skill level. Poor ball handling that stems from weak junior coaching, feeble strength and conditioning due to the lack of Gym facilities, focus of the school and the Parents shifting from sports to education in the past 3 decades, all have a combined effect in eroding the much-needed platform for sports in general, especially Rugby. Moreover, losing 3 proven talents to other schools, forcing them to field 6 players who have never played junior rugby before, makes the problem even more profound. Getting promoted to the upper Division demanded a total shift in paradigm, and the timely SOS call was made to one of the few persons in schools Rugby who relishes and thrives taking over seemingly unrealistic and monstrous challenges such as these. Raising teams up from the Rock bottom being one of his core competence, Head Coach Shamlie Nawaz gleefully assumed the charge of ‘Director of Rugby’ at Thurstan College, to facilitate the gradual consolidation of its rugby in its foundation year of 2025 at the top Division.

 Upon becoming the unbeaten Champs of ‘Segment B’ clinching the League and Knockout Crowns last season, Mahanama College re-enters the top Segment Rugby after an absence of 16 years, with the able guidance of Head Coach Devinda Pathiranage. Doing much better than most top Division teams in ball handling and game discipline, their rugby skills in all avenues of the game were already reasonably sound last season. However, in order to measure up to the gruesome, titanic forces brawling amongst the crème of ‘Segment A’, they have adequately upsized and upskilled their Pack to empower their two-pronged masterplan. Anyone who expects Mahanama to merely compete for their survival at the top Segment is in for the shock of the season, as they are in it to kill it, with absolutely no plans on taking prisoners!

 After suffering their only, yet narrow defeat at the Premier Trophy Final last season, Ananda College joins Mahanama at the Hellgates of the upper Division. However, like Mahanama, their sole resolution is to show the pathway to the Pearly Gates to the weaker contenders of the Division. Watch out for burly strong Forwards capable of shoving loaded Tippers like empty Wheelbarrows, that complements penetrative sprinters who are crafty in making surprise breaks, as Ananda makes it back to the Division, they once competed 18 years ago. Roping in the expertise of the creator of “Giant Killers”, a. k. a. Amila Chathuranga, Ananda aspires to astound the upper sect by agitating a few Giants to their fall.

 As this season looks promising with so much brewing and kinetic talent, it could take a few weeks for some teams to get up to their peak performance. Once reached, the second round could turn out to be quite intense, consisting of very close nail-biting finishes in each Segment, viz. Cup, Plate and Bowl. May the 80 plus League games be played with utmost passion, enthusiasm and the will to win; but let discipline, humanity and sportsmanship be the order of each and every day.