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Thurstan Rugby Stadium Project launched

It was day of great joy and historical significance for Thurstan when they launched their Rugby development project at a colourful ceremony attended by Minister of Sports and Recreation Gamini Lokuge and Namal Rajapaksa, President of the Tharunyata Hetak Organization at the Thurstan Park, Prof. Stanley Wijesundera Mawatha on Friday Dec 4th 2009.

It was a dream comes true for this intrepid school that was badly hampered due to lack of their own grounds for Rugby. As quoted by veteran scribe T.M.K. Samat better known in boxing circles the beginning was in 1957 when some boys got together and played around sans participation in official tournaments.

The year 1957 was the first official year of Thurstan Rugby and the honour of being the first Captain went to Surath Wickremasinghe who also captained the team in 1958, fitting Surath was a distinguished invitee and had the privilege of cutting the first sod along with other distinguished guests.

Namal Rajapaksa in his speech tracing his Rugby roots elaborated his commitment to Rugby and expressed his satisfaction on the manner the recent Carlton Sevens tournament was conducted.

He also recalled that his father President Mahinda Rajapaksa?s involvement in Rugby during his school days at Thurstan.

President Rajapaksa was a leading member of Thurstan?s champion school athletic team in 1960/61 and also had a brief stint with Rugby but continued to concentrate on athletics that was close to his heart.

With the development of the proposed Rugby ground Thurstan is bound to be a force to be reckoned with as they no longer will have to do nomadic rounds seeking venues for practices and matches.

Despite the handicap of not having grounds Thurstan over the last half a century had produced an array of eminent Rugby players and administrators at the highest level making a noble contribution to the game.

Jeff Rutnam who played from 1957 to 59 had the honour of leading Ceylon to its first ever international victory over Paris University Club.

The architect behind the Rugby development and Revival DIG (Rtd) Upali Hewage also a member of the Rugby Interim Committee who has been a tower of strength behind Thurstan Rugby for nearly three decades.

In his vote of thanks he expressed his gratitude to the President for initiating to provide a block of land for the ground and also paid a glowing tribute to the Minister of Sports Gamini Lokuge in helping the proposed development.

Even though large number of schools have taken up to Rugby in the last few years there has not been any increase of Rugby grounds in Colombo for past several decades. This is a major dilemma faced by the schools as well as emerging smaller clubs.

Hence the entry of Thurstan Rugby ground will be a significance boost to the development of Rugby in Sri Lanka, close proximity to the Rugby Union Headquarters too will be a positive factor.

Sunil Karuanayake

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J.O.B.U

JOBU 2009-2010

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBERS 2009 / 2010

Nadeesh Fernando Senior Vice President 0722-828980
Aflal Izzadeen Joint Secretary 0777-668564
Kanchana Perera Joint Secretary 0777-895614
Sudesh Gomes Treasurer 0777-235599
Charith Wickramarathne Asst. Treasurer 0772-842285
Chamara Samarawickrama Vice president – Information Technology 0777-414119
Buddhika Gunarathna Vice President – Academic 0773-044520
Lakmal Aluthgamage Vice President – Social Activities 0777-327498
P.L. Hettiarachchi Vice President – Media 0773-976797
Chathura Wickramasinghe Vice President – Sports 0772-297733
Janaka Delpachitra Vice President – Marketing & Promotions 0771-858198

COMMITTEE MEMBERS
Chamara Mallawarachchi 0777-934836
Chamara H. Lokugamage 0777-726110
Amila Mayadunne 0777-005570
Kokila Weerasuriya 0777-524700
Dileepa Paranavithana 0777-334236
Mohomad Fayaz 0772-255155
Upul Kulasekara 0772-848448
Pujitha Jeewandara 0772-371068
Nawoda Perera 0772-972625
Prasanga Madhawa 0776-317065
Manula Savinda 0714-922393
Dhanuka Jayasinghe 0718-334457
Manoj Amarasinghe 0773-777406
Manujith Wijesuriya 0777-869029
Asanka Peiris 0714-856791
Saruth Wijesinghe 0773-200303
Sadun Nadeesha 0757-252821
Namal Fernando 0772-658975
Tharindu Wickramasinghe 0773-983333
Nuwan Kumara 0718-066237

STANDBY COMMITTEE MEMBERS
Amila Jayasinghe 0718-175360
Kelum Chamara 0777-632963 C.J.Gamage 0777-357541
Dillu Rasika 0773-031358 Chanuka Silva 0778-958855
Upul Shantha 0722-161898 Kasun Fernando 0772-612273
Nuwan Sirisena 0714-420568 Lahiru C. Shanaka 0776-400043

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Annual Six a Side Cricket Tournament for the Junior OBU Challenge Trophy

Annual Six a Side Cricket Tournament for the Junior OBU Challenge Trophy
The Junior Old Boys Union is playing a key role in organizing many events for the progress of  Sports, Social, Cultural and other activities at Thurstan. Presently it endeavours to give a sense of dynamism for their projects by obtaining the co-operation of past Thurstanites so as to give some thing back to their Alma Mater for what she has done to them.

In this connection the Junior OBU  organized their Annual Six a Side Soft Ball Cricket Tournament for the ?Junior OBU Challenge Trophy? on Sunday 25th October 2009 at the Thurstan Sports Complex at Stanley Wijesundara Mawatha and it was concluded successfully with a large number of Old boys in attendance.

The event was livened up with DJ Music, Papare Band, Food Stalls and Valuable Prices, etc?.. ?Thurstan Super Kings?, secured their position as the Champions for the second consecutive year and ?Thurstan Daredevils? was the Runners Up. Nishantha Dias of Runners Up team was elected as the Best bawler and Hasitha Perera of the winning team won the Best Batsman Award.

The coveted positions of both Man of the Final and Man of the Series has won by Thilina Massalage of Thurstan Super Kings, by showing an outstanding performance throughout the tournament.

The Thurstan College Junior OBU pays their gratitude to the Chief Guest Mr. Chulan Hettige one of the former Senior Vice Presidents of Junior OBU, Principal Mr. Wimal Gunarathne and other Respected Senior Old Boys and all who participated at the event by devoting their precious time.

Kanchana Perera

Jt. Secretary – Junior OBU
04th November 2009

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J.O.B.U News Archive

Annual Six a Side Cricket Tournament for the Junior OBU Challenge Trophy

Annual Six a Side Cricket Tournament for the Junior OBU Challenge Trophy The Junior Old Boys Union is playing a key role in organizing many events for the progress of  Sports, Social, Cultural and other activities at Thurstan. Presently it endeavours to give a sense of dynamism for their projects by obtaining the co-operation of past Thurstanites so as to give some thing back to their Alma Mater for what she has done to them.

In this connection the Junior OBU  organized their Annual Six a Side Soft Ball Cricket Tournament for the ?Junior OBU Challenge Trophy? on Sunday 25th October 2009 at the Thurstan Sports Complex at Stanley Wijesundara Mawatha and it was concluded successfully with a large number of Old boys in attendance.

The event was livened up with DJ Music, Papare Band, Food Stalls and Valuable Prices, etc?.. ?Thurstan Super Kings?, secured their position as the Champions for the second consecutive year and ?Thurstan Daredevils? was the Runners Up. Nishantha Dias of Runners Up team was elected as the Best bawler and Hasitha Perera of the winning team won the Best Batsman Award.

The coveted positions of both Man of the Final and Man of the Series has won by Thilina Massalage of Thurstan Super Kings, by showing an outstanding performance throughout the tournament.

The Thurstan College Junior OBU pays their gratitude to the Chief Guest Mr. Chulan Hettige one of the former Senior Vice Presidents of Junior OBU, Principal Mr. Wimal Gunarathne and other Respected Senior Old Boys and all who participated at the event by devoting their precious time.

Kanchana Perera

Jt. Secretary – Junior OBU
04th November 2009

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Cricket News News Archive

Under 13 A & B Qualified to Play 2nd Round Matches.

Under 13 A & B Qualified to Play 2nd Round Matches
 
Thurstan-A finished in 4th of the Group-D with 48.74 points and Thurstan-B finished in 3rd of the Group-B with 43.25 points & move to the 2nd round and play 3 matches & 4 matches respectively and the winners & the runner-up will qualified to the Pre- Quarter finals, from Pre Quarter finals onwards tournament will change to knock out basis 50 over matches.
 
Thurstan-A lead by Thimira Jayasinghe (son of former Thurstan Cricketer Rohitha Jayasinghe) & Thurstan-B lead by Pasan Fernando (son of former Air Force Cricketer/ Umpire Thilak Fernando)  
 
32 Teams qualified for the 2nd round in Division 1  & 40 Teams qualified for the 2nd round in Division 11.
 
Thurstan -A beat Carey College on 1st Innings & Thurstan-B no decision with Rangiri Dambulla Central College in the 2nd round.
 
 
Wasantha Warnasooriya.
November 4th, 2009

 

Under 13 Division 1 Cricket  Fixtures – 2009

1ST ROUND        
Date Match Description Venue Result Points
24 Sept 2009 TC-A VS ZAHIRA COLLEGE Thurstan Road Thurstan Won on 1st Innings 11.74
26 Sept 2009 TC-A VS CHRIST KING  COLLEGE Thurstan Road Thurstan Won an Innings & 45 runs 17.05
29 Sept 2009 TC-A VS ST.ANTHONYS COLLEGE-WATTALA Wattala No Decision(Rain) 2.45
4. Oct. 2009 TC-A VS SETHAWAKA M.V Avissawella Thurstan Won on 1st Innings 9.89
11. Oct. 2009 TC-A VS NALANDA COLLEGE Thurstan Road No Decision 4.91
26. Oct. 2009 TC-A VS WESLY COLLEGE Thurstan Road Thurstan Lost on 1st Innings 2.7
48.74
2ND ROUND        
Date Match Description Venue Result Points
1. Nov. 2009 TC-A VS CAREY COLLEGE Thurstan Road Thurstan Won on 1st Innings 10.44
8. Nov. 2009 TC-A VS ST.SERVATIUS  COLLEGE Matara    
10. Nov. 2009 TC-A VS JOSEPH VAZ COLLEGE Wennappuwa    
10.44
Under 13 Division 11 Cricket  Fixtures – 2009
1ST ROUND        
Date Match Description Venue Result Points
23 Sept 2009 TC-B VS BANDARANAYAKE M.V-VEYANGODA-A Thurstan Road Thurstan Lost on 1st Innings 2.00
30 Sept 2009 TC-B VS ST.JOSEPHS COLLEGE -B Thurstan Road No Decision 4.74
3. Oct. 2009 TC-B VS SUSUMAYAWARDENA M.V-A Thurstan Road No Decision 4.27
13. Oct. 2009 TC-B VS PRESIDENTS COLLEGE-B  -KOTTE Thurstan Road Thurstan Won on 1st Innings 10.72
14. Oct. 2009 TC-B VS ISIPATHANA COLLEGE- B Peterson Grounds Thurstan Won on 1st Innings 10.05
18. Oct. 2009 TC-B VS ASOKA M.V-B Thurstan Road Thurstan Won on 1st Innings 11.47
43.25
2ND ROUND        
Date Match Description Venue Result Points
3. Nov. 2009 TC-B VS RANGIRI DAMBULLA CENTRAL Dambulla No Decision 3.17
6. Nov. 2009 TC-B VS SANDALANKA NS Sandalankawa    
7. Nov. 2009 TC-B VS MADAMPA  M.V-KULIYAPITIYA Thurstan Road    
11. Nov. 2009 TC-B VS ANANDA SASTHRALAYA-MATHUGAMA Thurstan Road    
3.17
Under 13 Division 111 Cricket  Fixtures ? 2009
1ST ROUND
Date Match Description Venue Result Points
20. Oct. 2009 TC-C VS ANANDA COLLEGE-KOTTAWA-A Buddadasa St. No Decision 4.39
22. Oct. 2009 TC-C VS ASOKA VIDYALAYA ? B Thurstan Road Thurstan Won on 1st Innings 11.23
27. Oct. 2009 TC-C VS HOMAGAMA  M.V-A Thurstan Road Thurstan Lost on 1st Innings  
29. Oct. 2009 TC-C VS ANANDA  COLLEGE-C   Ananda Mawatha No Decision  
05 SEPT 2009 TC-B VS BOMIRIYA M.M.V-A Thurstan Road    
         
15.62
DIVISION 1 TOURNAMENT        
THURSTAN COLLEGE VS ZAHIRA COLLEGE PLAYED AT THURSTAN ROAD
THURSTAN WON ON 1ST INNINGS
THURSTAN COLLEGE 1ST INNINGS 204 FOR 9 DIC. IN 36.5 OVERS
(UDARA MALWALAGE 49, THIMIRA JAYASINGHE 46,SAJITH GUNATHILAKA 35,CHARANA NANAYAKKARA 20,
 BINARA SAMUDRAJEEWA 19, M.IMAMUDEEN 3/50, M.REZMIE 4/62 )
DIVISION 1 TOURNAMENT  
THURSTAN COLLEGE VS ZAHIRA COLLEGE PLAYED AT THURSTAN ROAD
THURSTAN WON ON 1ST INNINGS
THURSTAN COLLEGE 1ST INNINGS 204 FOR 9 DIC. IN 36.5 OVERS
(UDARA MALWALAGE 49, THIMIRA JAYASINGHE 46,SAJITH GUNATHILAKA 35,CHARANA NANAYAKKARA 20,
 BINARA SAMUDRAJEEWA 19, M.IMAMUDEEN 3/50, M.REZMIE 4/62 )
DIVISION 1 TOURNAMENT  
THURSTAN COLLEGE VS ZAHIRA COLLEGE PLAYED AT THURSTAN ROAD
THURSTAN WON ON 1ST INNINGS
THURSTAN COLLEGE 1ST INNINGS 204 FOR 9 DIC. IN 36.5 OVERS
(UDARA MALWALAGE 49, THIMIRA JAYASINGHE 46,SAJITH GUNATHILAKA 35,CHARANA NANAYAKKARA 20,
 BINARA SAMUDRAJEEWA 19, M.IMAMUDEEN 3/50, M.REZMIE 4/62 )
DIVISION 1 TOURNAMENT  
THURSTAN COLLEGE VS ZAHIRA COLLEGE PLAYED AT THURSTAN ROAD
THURSTAN WON ON 1ST INNINGS
THURSTAN COLLEGE 1ST INNINGS 204 FOR 9 DIC. IN 36.5 OVERS
(UDARA MALWALAGE 49, THIMIRA JAYASINGHE 46,SAJITH GUNATHILAKA 35,CHARANA NANAYAKKARA 20,
 BINARA SAMUDRAJEEWA 19, M.IMAMUDEEN 3/50, M.REZMIE 4/62 )
DIVISION 1 TOURNAMENT  
 SAJITH GUNATHILAKA 2/27 )
THURSTAN COLLEGE VS SEETHAWAKA M.V PLAYED AT AVISSAWELLA
THURSTAN WON ON 1ST INNINGS
SEETHAVAKA M.V 1ST INNINGS 110 ALL OUT IN 58.5 OVERS
( OSANDA DE SILVA  5/31, RAVEEN SAMARASINGHE 2/17)
THURSTAN COLLEGE 1ST INNINGS 139 FOR 8 AT CLOSE  IN 34 OVERS
( THIMIRA JAYASINGHE 22,CHARANA NANAYAKKARA 33,AKILA SHIWANTHA 34no,
 SAJITH GUNATHILAKA 17, KASUN KULARATHNA 5/71,THARUSHAN IDDAMALGODA 2/16
THURSTAN COLLEGE VS NALANDA  COLLEGE PLAYED AT THURSTAN ROAD
NO DECISION
NALANDA COLLEGE 1ST INNINGS 182 ALL OUT IN 59.1 OVERS
( RANSIKA DENIPITIYA 46,ROSHAN SAMEERA 44,KAVINDA LAKMAL 24,
 SHEHAN KURUPPUARACHCHI 2/44,OSANDA DE SILVA 2/59,RAVEEN SAMARASINGHE 3/36,
 THIMIRA JAYASINGHE 2/21 )
THURSTAN COLLEGE 1ST INNINGS 141/9 IN 39 OVERS
( THANURA SILVA 16,UDHARA MALWALAGE 18,THIMIRA JAYASINGHE 56,SAJITH GUNATHILAKA 23,
 YASITH RANDIL 5/30, LAHIRU DIAS 2/31 )
THURSTAN COLLEGE VS WESLY COLLEGE.  PLAYED AT THURSTAN ROAD
THURSTAN LOST ON 1ST INNINGS
THURSTAN COLLEGE  1ST INNINGS 135 ALL OUT  IN 49.2 OVERS
( THANURA SILVA 26, VISHWA SANKALPA 33,THIMIRA JAYASINGHE 16,MADUSHA MAHAGAMAGE 16,
 D.BANDARA 4/19,K.SENAVIRATHNE 4/16,J.CADERAMANPULLE 2/63)
WESLY COLLEGE 1ST INNINGS 213/9 IN 50.5 OVERS
( K.SENAVIRATHNE 65,J.CADERAMANPULLE 65, VISHWA SANKALPA 4/55, OSANDA DE SILVA 2/38)
DIVISION 1 TOURNAMENT-2nd Round    
THURSTAN COLLEGE VS CAREY COLLEGE PLAYED AT THURSTAN ROAD  
THURSTAN WON ON 1ST INNINGS    
THURSTAN COLLEGE  1ST INNINGS 157 ALL OUT  IN 45.2 OVERS  
( THIMIRA JAYASINGHE 44,SAJITH GUNATHILAKA 23,BINARA SAMUDRAJEEWA 21,OSANDA DE SILVA 18,
T.NIWUNHELLA 4/30, P.SAMARASINGHE 2/26 )    
CAREY COLLEGE 1ST INNINGS 99 ALL OUT IN 45.2 OVERS  
( E.RATHNAYAKE 21, THIMIRA JAYASINGHE 3/11, VISHWA SANKALPA 2/35 )
THURSTAN COLLEGE  2ND  INNINGS 37/6   IN 05 OVERS    
( BINARA SAMUDRAJEEWA 11, B.CARDER 2/18)    
DIVISION 11 TOURNAMENT        
THURSTAN COLLEGE VS BANDARANAYAKA M.V  PLAYED AT THURSTAN ROAD
THURSTAN LOST ON 1ST INNINGS
THURSTAN COLLEGE 1ST INNINGS 44 ALL OUT IN 27.1 OVERS
( RANDULA PERERA 14 no, L.RAMANAYAKA 5/6,N.KUMARASINGHE 3/8)
BANDARANAYAKA M.V 1ST INNINGS 116 FOR 08 WICKETS DEC. IN 40 OVERS
(P.WIJESOORIYA 46,J.MADUSHAN 20,BIMSARA RAJAKARUNA 3/2,AYODYA KOTTEARACHCHI 2/12)
THURSTAN COLLEGE 2ND INNINGS 36 FOR 6 IN 15 OVERS
( P.WIJESOORIYA 5/24 )
THURSTAN COLLEGE VS ST.JOSEPHS COLLEGE  PLAYED AT THURSTAN ROAD
NO DECISION
ST.JOSEPHS COLLEGE 1ST INNINGS 184 FOR 9 DEC. IN 52 OVERS
( HASHAN COORAY 40,NISALA SURIYAARACHCHI 23,MADUKA PERERA 41, AYODYA KOTTEARACHCHI 5/36,)
THURSTAN COLLEGE 1ST INNINGS 139 FOR 7 AT CLOSE  IN 41 OVERS
 (DILK NILAKSHA 27,SALMAN FARIS 23no,RAVINDU DE SILVA 27no, OHASA THIMBIRIPALA 3/42)
THURSTAN COLLEGE VS SUSUMAYAWARDENA M.V  PLAYED AT THURSTAN ROAD
NO DECISION
SUSUMAYAWARDENA M.V 1ST INNINGS 111 ALL OUT IN 43.5 OVERS
( D.CHARAKA 22, RAVINDU DE SILVA 3/30, DASUN WADIMUNA 2/09, RAVINDU VIRAJ 3/08 )
THURSTAN COLLEGE  1ST INNINGS 77 FOR 05 WICKETS AT CLOSE IN 38 OVERS
( DILK NILAKSHA 22, PASAN KAVINDA 32, M.MADUSHA 3/11)
THURSTAN COLLEGE VS PRESIDENTS COLLEGE-KOTTE  PLAYED AT THURSTAN ROAD
THURSTAN WON ON 1ST INNINGS
PRESIDENTS COLLEGE 1ST INNINGS 107 ALL OUT IN 45.5 OVERS
( KAVINDU WICKRAMASINGHE 51, DANUJA WEERASINGHE 4/14, RAVINDU DE SILVA 2/16,DIMUTH SAMARAKOON 2/05)
THURSTAN COLLEGE  1ST INNINGS 222 FOR 07 WICKETS AT CLOSE IN 50 OVERS
( DANUJA WEERASINGHE 31,MANISHA RANDENIYA 26,DEELAKA KODAGODA 61,SALMAN FARIS 23,
  PASAN FERNANDO 19,DASUN WADIMUNA 19no, RAVINDU DE SILVA 13no, RUSHITH DILUSHA 2/68,
 DENUKA BIMSARA 2/47,TESHAN TENNAKOON 2/26 )
THURSTAN COLLEGE VS ISIPATHANA  COLLEGE  PLAYED AT PETERSON GROUNDS
THURSTAN WON ON 1ST INNINGS
THURSTAN COLLEGE  1ST INNINGS 155 ALL OUT  IN 49.4 OVERS
( MANISHA RANDENIYA 26,PASAN KAVINDA 24,RAVINDU DE SILVA 25no, PUSHPIKA JAYASHANTHA 5/25,
 HESHAN THANOJ 2/19, DILSHAN PASINDU 2/58 )
ISIPATHANA COLLEGE 1ST INNINGS 133 ALL OUT IN 48.4 OVERS
(HESHAN THANOJ 31, DHANUJA WEERASINGHE 2/18,AYODYA KOTTEARACHCHI 3/28,DIMITH SAMARAKOON 2/14)
THURSTAN COLLEGE VS ASOKA VIDYALAYA PLAYED AT THURSTAN ROAD
THURSTAN WON ON 1ST INNINGS
THURSTAN COLLEGE  1ST INNINGS 149 ALL OUT  IN 37.3 OVERS
( DHANUJA WEERASINGHA 31,PASAN FERNANDO 29,AYODYA KOTTEARACHCHI 21no,JANITH OSHANDA 20,
 ACHILA IRANGA 3/39, RAVINDU PRAMUDITHA 3/36,SHANILKA NIRMAL 3/13)
ASOKA VIDYALAYA 1ST INNINGS 75 ALL OUT IN 18.2 OVERS
( ISURU PERERA 25,PASAN FERNANDO 3/20,DHANUJA WEERASINGHE 2/11,DASUN WADIMUNA 2/12)
THURSTAN COLLEGE  2ND INNINGS 58/2 DEC. IN 6 OVERS
( DHANUJA WEERASINHGHA 29,MANISHA RANDENIYA 15, SHANILKA NIRMAL 2/05)
ASOKA VIDYALAYA 2ND INNINGS 83/6 AT CLOSE  IN 31 OVERS
( JANITH OSANDA 3/19)
DIVISION 111 TOURNAMENT    
THURSTAN COLLEGE VS ANANDA M.V-KOTTAWA  PLAYED AT BUDDADASA STADIUM
NO DECISION
Thurstan College ‘C’ 179 All Out in 60 Overs – Vihaga Vimukthi 75, Vishwa Randika 40, Rusiru Janaka 17, A.S.M.Chathuranga 6 for 39 
Ananda College Kottawa ‘A’ 132 for 4 Wkts in 36 Overs – S.Madusanka 54, Pubudu Promodhya 26, Gihan Shashira 4 for 24
THURSTAN COLLEGE VS ASOKA VIDYALAYA PLAYED AT THURSTAN ROAD
THURSTAN WON ON 1ST INNINGS
Asoka Vidyalaya ‘C’ – 88 All Out in 34 Overs – Kalana Perera 22, Kasun Abeyratne 4for16, 
Gihan Shashira 4for 32 and 40 All Out in 22Overs – S.Harishchandra 13 
Gihan Shashira 4for 7, Maleesha Maduranga 2for 0, Kasun Abeyratne 2for 6 
Thurstan College ‘C’ – 123 for 8 dec. in 32.5 Overs – Gihan Shashira 50, Kasun Abeyratne 26, 
Kalana Perera 3 for 29.
Categories
Rugby Rugby News

My Rugby days at Thurstan by – Mangala Ratnayake

My Rugby days at Thurstan by – Mangala  Ratnayake

Thurstan rugby’s Golden era was when we had the Team with illustrious names like Ranjith Jayawardena,Deepal Zoysa,Lional Wickremasekara,Dushyantha Samarasekera to name a few ,when we beat Royal college for the first time, and I think went through unbeaten. I will write this article more as a historical record of events and people involved during my time.

My first year of Rugby was 1965, Indra Piyatissa captained  the team, SSM Gunasekera, Lal Kumarage,DAT Alwis, Nihal Dharmadasa, Graetian Gunawardhana, G.Wedagedara, K.L.Perera, Mahinda Wijeyaratna, Sunil Jayakody, Lalith Peris,Wasantha  Perera, E S C Fernando, were the  regulars in the team There were others like Nandalal Jayawardena,K.Maligaspe ,Arthur,WPW Perera ,Upali Liyanage who were in and out of the team from time to time. The team was coached by Kavan Rambukwella, and Mr Joe Fernando was the master in charge. We had a reasonable year winning most matches and losing some narrowly.

1966 was a tough year for our Rugby, most of the seniors had left Sunil Jayakody was the captain. I was his deputy, we lost our grounds (CR &FC), so we were allowed to practice twice a week in the CR &FC  hockey grounds, the rest of the days we had to use Brownrigg Park [ present the college & ground of Sirimavo Vidyalaya ], we had no regular coach and A R M Faiza  helped with the team sometimes. We had an enthusiastic bunch of freshers who joined the team like Tissa Nanayakkara, Hemantha Devapura, Jayantha Dias, Milinda Ratnayake, ST Fernando, P.Harrison, L.Wijekoon, Upali Hewage, P.Athukorale. The senior players had the added responsibility of coaching and mentoring the junior players.

I  captained  the team in 1967, I had Tissa Nanayakkara as deputy.Mr K.Wijedasa was the master in charge. Of the seniors,G.Wedagedara, GW Perera, Upali Liyamage, Milinda Ratnayake, H.Devapura , Upali Hewage, G Athukorala.  U.Jayasingha remained and the newcomers were Kanthi Senaratna, Niroshan de Silva, H.Bouydwin.

We had mixed results, lost narrrowly to Zahira (5-3) and lost the inaugural match for the Abdul Jabbar shield with Isipathana (6-3), which we could have won had Tissa Nana converted 4 missed penalty kicks.We beat St Marys, Beat Wesly college (13- nil) and held Royal to a draw( 6-6), We beat St Anthony’s Kandy (11-9) lost badly to St. Peters (22 nil).

A word about the second string- There were some outstanding boy?s, who turned up for training without fail, and for their sheer enthusiasm needs to be  mentioned – Suranimala Abeygoonesekara, Mohan Karunaratna, Gamini Thilakasiri, Palitha Harrison ,STK Fernando, Kumar Devapura to mention a few

It is well documented that so many players from this period went on to represent  clubs,  defence services and Police.

Whether the team was winning or loosing, there were some faithful supporters who always turned up for our matches, Priya Paranavitane, Bhathiya Seebert and Upali Ahangama were always around to support the team. From the staff Mr  Joe Fernando was always present. The new Principal Mr. PM Jayathilake encouraged and supported rugby, encouraged students and staff to attend important matches. In our days building a team was a real problem, as we lost most of the players when we got the GCE OL results and we had to start from scratch again.

On a lighter note it was standard practice for the players go across to Thurstan caf [ now named as Raheema ] for a feed or walk to Mayfair at Bamba for ‘Elu katu soup’ as that was all we could afford as students. (Thosay was 5 cents, soup was 20 cents).Sometimes the waiters could be seen running behind the players to collect the bills!

Mangala  Ratnayake

Auckland, New Zealand

2007 March

Categories
Rugby Rugby News

My Rugby days at Thurstan by – Gamini Thilakasiri Ranasingha

My Rugby days at Thurstan by – Gamini Thilakasiri Ranasingha

I was introduced to Rugby by one of my class mates Lalith Samaranayaka. I had no idea what so ever about the game. I started towards the tail end of the season and managed to play two games in the 2nd XV. That was in 1966 when Sunil Jayakody was our 1st XV captain.

The following year we were left  with a few old players in the 2nd XV and a few of us making an impression. The year started under Mangala Rathnayaka as the captain and 2nd XV with no captain. It was not officially announced. The boys thought I was eligible and L. Gulawita thought he was the most popular guy. Our first match of the season was with Wesley ? we ran on to the field thinking that I was the captain. Guluwita thought that he was going to be the captain. I ran ahead of him and he ran past me to be the first. We both sprinted to the field leaving behind the rest of the team, which would have looked hilarious. As my position was scrum half I had a better control of the game where as Gulawita was in the wing. Anyway we managed to beat Wesley College 3 nil, which was, I suppose, the more important fact!!

Later that season I was chosen to play in the 1st XV with Rohan Boudwyn as the fly half.

We were very unfortunate with no home grounds to practice and facing many difficulties. Nevertheless Indra Piyatissa, T N Cutilan and Dushyantha Samarasekara came to our aid and coached us. It was of tremendous help to our team and D.Samarasekara managed to get us into CR & FC grounds for training. When we practiced at common Brownrigg Park [ Present college & ground of Sirimavo Balika Vidyalya] there was no running water and no dressing rooms etc. On many occasions Dilip Gunewardana who lived in Brownrigg Park used to connect a garden hose outside his house for us to drink water and wash ourselves up after training, since most of our Rugby players travelled from outer city and had long distances to return to their homes.

In later years I managed to help organize Rugby at Thurstan with Nanayakkara brothers, Mangala Ratnayaka, Dushy Samarasekara, Vipula Dharmadasa and Basil Rodrigo as coaches. That was the period that we introduced the Old boys vs. Present boys match played for the shield donated by Kumar Devapura in 1986.

The Rugby which was introduced and taught to me by Lalith Samaranayaka, Indra Piyatissa, T N Cutilan, Upali Ahangama, Dushyantha Samarasekara and Tony Sirimanne ? I have passed on to my sons who love the game and play it well at club level and for the State of Victoria in Australia.

Thanks to the continued support of our old boys, our College and everyone involved in keeping the Thurston flag flying high.

Gamini Thilakasiri Ranasinghe
(Better known as “Kudda”)
Melbourne – Australia
2007March