Talented youngsters for CR, CH and Havelocks

Ranjeeva SENEVIRATNE

Runners up of the Caltex ‘A’ Division League and Clifford Cup knock-out tournament CR and FC have obtained the services of three outstanding schoolboy ruggeries for the 2009 rugby season.

Isipatana Skipper and Sri Lanka centre Dinusha Chathuranga, Sri Lanka Youth players Dilanka Gunatilleke (Dharmaraja) and Mohamed Rizwan (Kingswood) have joined the club and will don the Red Jersey in the 2009 rugby season.

Chathuranga who had an excellent season for his school captained the Sri Lanka under 20 team at the youth Rugby Asiad in Buan, South Korea and also represented Sri Lanka at the World Cup qualifying sevens in Hong Kong and his presence should compensate for the absence of Sri Lanka centre Mohamed Sheriff who has crossed over to Kandy SC.

Dilanka Gunatilleke who played for the Sri Lanka under 20 team in the Youth Rugby Asiads in 2007 (Brunai) and 2008 (South Korea) will be vying for a prop forwards berth while Sri Lanka Youth player Mohamed Rizwan will battle it out for the hooker’s position with ex-Sri Lanka player Anuja Perera. Former Thomian skipper and Sri Lanka flanker Ashen Karthelis is likely to captain the Longdon Place club in the 2009 rugby season.

Sri Lanka hooker Bilal Hassen (Royal) and Sri Lanka Youth player Shanaka Pietersz (St. Joseph’s) have joined CH and FC and will turn out for the Maitland Crescent club in the 2009 rugby season.

Bilal Hassen who had a fine season for Royal went onto represent Sri Lanka under 20 team in the youth Rugby Asiad in Buan, South Korea and had the honour of donning the Sri Lanka Jersey at the Asian Five Nations Tournament in Chinese Taipei.

Shanaka Pietersz who played for the Sri Lanka under 20 team in Brunai (2007) and South Korea (2008) is a utility player who could play either as fly half, centre or full back and should strengthen the CH and FC back division.

Sri Lanka hooker Achala Perera is likely to be entrusted with the leadership of the Maitland Crescent club in 2009.

Havelocks Sports Club which finished third in the Caltex ‘A’ Division League have recruited three outstanding ruggerites from St. Peter’s College - skipper Poornaka Delpechitra, Harsha Weerakkody and Gerald Canute who played a key role in the success of their school.

All three of them represented the Sri Lanka Youth team in the under 20 Rugby Asiad in Buan, South Korea and are likely to don the Pink and Chocolate Jersey of the Park club next year.