Airmen - a force to be reckoned with

Ranjeeva Seneviratne

The Sri Lanka Air Force has been in the forefront of ‘Sevens’ rugby during the last four years. They came up with a superb display in the second leg of the Singer Professional Sevens at Ratgama in 2006 in which they went down fighting to the formidable CR and FC by 29-36 in the final.

Last year they came up with another stupendous performance in the Second Leg of the Dialog Professional Sevens at Longden Place when they stormed into the finals by overcoming the formidable CR and FC and Police in the quarter-finals and semi-finals respectively before losing to the mighty Kandy SC in the finals by 12-41.

But unfortunately the Airmen have failed to live up to expectations in 15-a-side rugby in recent years, although they won the plate championship of the Caltex ‘A’ Division League during the last two years. However this year the Airmen have shown encouraging signs of once again emerging as a force to be reckoned with.

In their first outing they went down fighting to the star studded CR and FC (0-26) and then in their next match they gave the mighty Kandy SC a run for their money before losing (6-27). Last week they came up with a marvellous display to beat the strong Policemen by the staggering margin of 31 points to 5 and if they continue the same form they could achieve their ambition of finishing within the first four in the Caltex ‘A’ Division League.

Before the start of the season, the Airmen received a morale-booster when two of their top ruggerites fly half Chanaka Chandimal and centre Suranga Arunashantha were picked to play for Sri Lanka in the Asian Division one tournament in Dubai.

This year’s Air Force team is a blend of youth and experience, seasoned campaigners Saumya Silva, Kosala Ranasinghe, Pradeep Kurukulasuriya, Dinesh Weeraratne, Suranga Arunashantha and Rohan Fernando will play alongside talented youngsters - Chanaka Chandimal, Charith Seneviratne, Gayan Heenkanda, Sri Lanka Youth Players Buddhika Abeysinghe, Migara Madugalle, Chanaka Guneratne and last year’s Trinity prop forward Mohamed Riyazi.

Bunty Kosala Ranasinghe who has been turning out for Air Force since 2002 has been entrusted with the task of leading the Airmen this year. A tireless player in the loose Ranasinghe will bind down in the front row with veteran Saumya Silva, Liston Silva and Mohamed Riyazi fighting it out for the other position.

The vital hookers berth will be once again occupied by Manjula Pandiyapperuma with Buddhika Bandara as the stand-by. The experienced Pradeep Kurukulasuriya, a fine line out jumper and a terrific player in the loose is assured of one lock forward’s berth with Pubudu Kodagoda, Samarahewa and Ranil Madagedera battling it out for the other position.

Last year’s skipper Dinesh Weeraratne and young Roshan Ratnayake will be the regular flankers with young Migara Madugalle making a determined bid to oust one of them. Former Sri Lanka youth player Buddhika Abeysinghe will fill the number eight berth. With young Radeesha Seneviratne being on the injured list either Nadeesh Perera or Ranaweera will operate from the base of the scrum and will pair off with Sri Lanka player Chanaka Chandimal.

Roshan Hapugastenna is the other player who could fit into the fly half berth. Sri Lanka player Suranga Arunashantha and young Charith Seneviratne two hard runners and solid tacklers will be the regular centres with Kasun Kaluarachchi too staking a claim for a place. Two powerful runners Gayan Heenkanda and Sri Lanka under 20 player and Antonian skipper Chanaka Guneratne will be manning the wings.

The last line of defence will be manned by the experienced Rohan Fernando who has stood out with his safe collections and booming kicks to touch but he faces a strong challenge from Gayan Iddamalgoda.

This year, Air Force is coached by former Isipatana, CH and FC and Sri Lanka No. 8 Bimal Perera who is taking great pains to mould them into a formidable outfit assisted by fitness trainer D. U. M. Jayatilleke.

They are receiving all the assistance and encouragement from Chairman of Air Force rugby Air Commodore Saranath Rambukwella and Secretary Wing Commander Sanjaya Fernando. Air Force Commander Air Chief Marshal Roshan Goonatileke is also taking a keen interest in the progress of Air Force rugby having turned out for the Air Force in the early 1980s.