Fresher laden S. Thomas’ aim top three finish this season
S. Thomas’ College with a fresher laden line-up will look to give off their best and finish among the top three teams in the current Inter-Schools Under-20 rugby season. They have already suffered two defeats in the˜A Division League Tournament but on both occasions the players showed a lot of promise and determination while going down by a close margin.
The Thomians were able to stretch their opponents to the maximum as they went down fighting 13-20 against Trinity College at Pallekele and made another fine impact before losing to St. Josephs College by a mere two points 28-30 at Havelock Park.
The Thomians, no doubt will be disappointed with these results because in both outings they had a great chance of turning things around in their favour but the lack of experience and the ability to add the finishing touches cost them the game.
Even then, the lads from Mount Lavinia will be really pleased with the individual performances of the newcomers, who have provided a glimpse of their talent and potential.
This season the Thomians are drawn in a tough group which also includes their traditional rivals Royal College, Kingswood College and St. Anthonys College.
The new format of the shortened A Division Tournament has made it even more difficult for S. Thomas to qualify for the Cup Championship Segment with only the top two teams advancing.
Nevertheless, they will continue to strive hard for success and hope for the best in the next few matches of the season as they look for a better display at least in the knock-out tournament.
The Thomians were just beginning to come on top during the 2020 season when they defeated St. Josephs 24-22 at Longden Place but unfortunately the rest of the tournament matches had to be put off due to the pandemic.
S. Thomas had a decent season in 2019 when the league tournament proper was last held where they finished among the top four teams of the Cup Championship Segment.
Some of their high points in that season was a thrilling 12-12 draw against the formidable Isipathana College and they also defeated a high-riding St. Peters College outfit 20-19.
The Thomians, of course, have not won the A Division League title for more than two decades and the last time they won the tournament was way back in the year 2000 under the Captaincy of Gavin Jayasekera.
This time, S. Thomas will be led by the dynamic number eight Charya Kurukulasuriya, who is undoubtedly the standout player this season along with fly half Yehan Bulathsinhalage.
S. Thomas College First XV Rugby Pool
Prop forwards: Jayod Perera, Jonathan Bulathsinhala and Mohamed Ali.
Hooker: Kaveesha Lenagala and Jshehan Selvanayagam.
Second row forwards: Mohamed Hakeem, Akesh Fernando, Shevin Udugama and Aadil Rahman.
Flankers: Dehan Senaratne, Gerrard Martenstyn, Jonathan Ferdinando, Shanal Fernando, Janidhu Dela and Reshane Dwight.
Number Eight: Charya Kurukulasuriya (Captain).
Scrum half: Venuka Wickramasuriya and Havindu de Silva.
Fly half: Yehan Bulathsinhalage.
Centres: Jahmadh Riffaz, Rehan Wickramasuriya and Viyan de Silva.
Wingers: Rakesh Ratnasingham, Averan Noah, Henry Richard, Dewshan Navarathna and Akira Perera.
Full back: Shashenka Fernando, Navinda Rekawa, Jaden Koch and Hasitha Ramanayake.
Head Coach: Shamly Nawaz.
Backs Coach: Asanga Rodrigo.
Trainer: Dilan Soysa.