St. Peter’s College savoured one of their finest moments on the rugby field when they won the inter-school League rugby tournament and followed it up by pocketing the President’s trophy knock-out championships to remain as the only unbeaten team.
It was a glorious end to the 2023 season for the glamour boys of schools rugby who improved vastly as the season progressed enjoying tremendous success winning against all opponents.
It was the special brand of the rolling maul through their granite forwards that the Peterites made much headway which enabled them to be different from all other school sides.
A well and truly cool and composed St. Peter’s College outfit (left) led by Ashain Madugaspe walk out for the start of their President’s trophy final against Isipathana College’s players at right
In the process St. Peter’s clinched the coveted school’s rugby League trophy for the fifth time in history.
“It was a collective effort and in the bigger picture I got all my ammunition together and made this team victorious as well as a champion outfit,” said head coach Sanath Martis.
Besides having the support of the entire hierarchy of the school, their commercial partners, his assistants, the medical and backstage team and all other affiliated segments that he will always stop to thank, Martis was also fortunate to have a worthy captain in Ashain Madugaspe who led from the front.
Apart from one blemish during the dying moments of the President’s trophy final against Isipathana College, Madugaspe was an undisputed role model for his team as well as modest in his achievements.
“It was a great victory for all the Peterites out there. My boys played their hearts out right throughout the entire League and Knock-Outs. When the season was in progress we did not waste time to rectify our mistakes and came back strongly,” said flanker Madugaspe.
Their matches were also closely followed by Peterites currently living and working overseas and one of them was former second row forward Sunanda Jayasekera.
“It was sheer hard work, dedication and teamwork. The captain Ashain Madugaspe got the entire team to this stage by rallying them around him.
“All were one unit and they never gave up. This was a highly confident bunch of players. The team became more focused day by day and game by game with the help of the tireless coaching staff and Madugaspe’s on-field motivation.
“Their forwards and specially the speedy three-quarters were the unsung heroes for me. They were behind this sensational win and their defense was excellent.
“Behind the scenes leadership is very much required when moving forward. Hat’s off to everyone, who has supported us on and off the field. I am happy and it was a true team effort and we were like one whole family together,” said Jayasekera who is currently based in Canada.
