 Lumbini rugby pool, 2001. (Pictures by Arjuna Samaraweera) |
by Ravi Nagahawatte Lumbini Maha Vidyalaya's ruggerites will make every attempt to make this rugby season a memorable one, as the school is planning to celebrate its silver jubilee in the sport. |
Lumbini, which has the tag of being the tough nuts in schools rugby, has come a long way since H.M.Upali's 'fifteen' made its maiden appearance for the school way back in 1976.
And, after 24 seasons, good news has come their way with the school authorities planning to arrange a traditional fixture against a top rugby playing school with a trophy on offer.
Lumbini's coach, Chintaka Perera, told 'The Island' that the school authorities have already spoken to many school's which according to him are willing to accommodate this fixture.
Arranging matches has been a stumbling block Lumbini has faced over the years merely because the school continues to be ignored by other academic institutions when drawing up their fixtures list.
The authorities at Lumbini feel that they are discriminated by the more affluent schools. But like there are two sides to a coin there are schools which are of the opinion that Lumbini exceeds the limits of playing rugby in it's traditional robust manner.
The secretary of the Lumbini Old Boys Rugby Union, Kelum Sujith, when contacted by 'The Island' said that it is unfair how other schools have made Lumbini look an undesirable opponent.
"I don't deny the fact that we sometimes play the game a bit rough. But who is there to point out when the other schools commit the same offence. Is it because we are a small school. The reality is that no one likes us coming up. And when we are in the wrong there is no one to speak for us. Look at the other school's. Their old boys hold top posts in the rugby union. They have the support which we don't have" is how Sujith explained a problem the ruggerites from Lumbini have continued to live with.
Looking back at the history of rugby at the school, there have been many years where the school came close in toppling some of the big names in rugby.
Lumbini's glory years in rugby however was recorded over a decade ago when they entered their name in the history books of schools rugby by making it to the final of the inter-school league tournament in 1990. Lumbini, led that year by Rasika Rohan, went down fighting to S.Thomas' after a close tussle.
They also created sensation two year back when they held hometown rivals Issipatana to a draw in the knock out tournament before finally succumbing in extra time.
The upsurge of rugby activity after the late 'eighties' is linked to the influence an active Master-in-Charge (MIC) of the sport in school had over the boys. According to the little statistics available from the school, the MIC at that time had been one Bernard Silva.
Since that big step which Lumbini took in 1990 they have toiled hard to maintain the reputation they earned as school which can provide the shocks. The lads from Havelock Town proved this in no uncertain terms by never being relegated to the 'B' Division.
The side is led this year by centre three quarter Asanka Anuradha who has five other senior players doing duty for him.
Lumbini are grouped along with St.Joseph's, St.Peter's, Ananda, St.Benedicts and St.Anthony's to whom they lost 39-3.
The side also has made plans to 'scrum down' with Kingswood, Zahira and a school which comes forward to accept their invitation to form a traditional fixture with them.
Lumbini Maha Vidyalaya Rugby Pool for 2001
Props -Umesh Suranga, Shashika Sanjaya, Ayesh Prasad, Jeevantha Ratnayake, Damith.
Hookers-Sendil Kumara, Namal Nuwan.
Second row forwards-Nuraj Asanka, Kumudu Harshana, Wasantha.
Flankers-Thushara Indunil, Mohomed Arshad, Kamal Peiris.
Number eight -Dinesh Suranga
Scrum halfs-Ruwan Alwis
Fly halves-Kamal Deshappriya.
Centres- Asanka Anuradha (Captain),Chamika Kushan Ranasinghe, Tharindu Asanka, Dasun Nadeera.
Wing three quarters-Kaushalya Rangana, Aruna Asiri, Nandimithra.
Full back -Mohamed Munna
Coach- Chintaka Perera
Master-in-Charge- Sisira Gunaratne