Golden Pennant encounter: Thomians out to deny Rahula victory

The 14th Golden Pennant Football encounter between Rahula College and St Thomas College Matara will be played at the German Sri Lanka Friendship Football stadium Uyanwatta today(Friday the 26th of June). This is the eighth game to be played under lights and is scheduled to commence at 7:00 PM. This year’s game is being hosted by the Rahula College Old Boy’s Association. The winners will carry away the Ruhunu Masters trophy and Rahula with two consecutive wins behind them have a golden opportunity of keeping the Ruhunu Masters Trophy forever.

The annual football match between the two schools was first played in 2002 and was initiated by former Principals Kithsiri Liyanagama of Rahula and Rathnasiri Suraweera of St Thomas together with Premathilaka Hettiarachchi SP Matara and Jagath Munasinghe of Century Finance Company. The encounter was named the Golden Pennant Football encounter and played for the Century Finance Trophy. St Thomas won the inaugural encounter three goals to two and was led by M Dhanuka while Arosha Dissanayakeled the Rahula College team that year.

Rahula College carried away the Century Finance trophy in 2009 by winning three years in a row after which the encounter has been played for the Ruhunu Masters Trophy. Rahula lead the series with seven wins to six.

Fifth year palyer P H Shashika Dilhara leads the St Thomas College Matara team to the 14th Golden Pennant Encounter and has 3rd year player Shamindu Eesara as his deputy. 4th year player Harin Samalka will have a lot to do between the goal posts to ensure that Rahula do not keep the Ruhunu Masters Trophy forever. 3rd year players Ishan Didulantha, Tharushan Kavinda, N Ranganath, R T L Deemantha, M G Kavishka, A R Mohamed Shahan, 2nd year players M N Mohamed Nasmi Habib, Rashmal Kavintha, Oshanda Vimukthi, Oshanda Vimukthi, Indusara Vishmika, Freshers Shehan Madhawa, Dilshan Tharuka, J T G Amindu Oshanda, R A Dilan, Layan Budhdhimal, J Asintha, S D Karandenuya, T m Nipuna Chathuranga, B H Chandula, G Hasindu Dilshan, K P H Yapa and V K Supun Dhananjaya make up the rest of the Thomian squad. The STC Matara football team is coached by K G Kumara and Manoj Mathangadeera is the master in charge.

5th year player L Nisal Dilshan leads the strong Rahula contingent to this years encounter and has 4th year player Lahiru Tharaka Samarakone as his deputy. 4th year players Nimesh Senevirathne, Salindu Sanjana 3rd year players W H Gavindu Roshan, Kavinga DilshanVithanage, Rajiv Methsara Munasinghe, 2nd year players Cheranga Pathinayake, Navodya Abeyrathna, Gayal Hirushan, Ravishan Botheju, Navin Gayantha, K B Janithiraj Jayawardena, Freshers Thushal Nimnaka, Shehan Jayanidu, Shadni Ahamed, Achindu Prabudhdha, Oshen Madhusanka Gomes, Adeesha Prabashwara, Avin Kaushika, Venuka Sameshana, Nimnaka Chiran, Tharushan Chandula and Tharindu Lasith strengthen the Rahula team. The Rahula team is coached by K B Weerapulli and Sarath Rupasinghe is the Master in Charge.