To the best school of all......

The Following mail forwarded to me by one of my batch mates...
I'm not trying to promote the school I love.... but want to show my gratitude to her by saying to the world what wonders she has done to us!!! It indeed is "The Best school of all"

A friend and fellow Old Thomian, related an experience he had last week which I thought was truly worthwhile recounting to you.

"The highlight of my holiday last week in Aucklandwas watching the touring Trinity College Rugby team play and represent the school at large. What fine ambassadors these young men were to their school and country.

I first met with them one evening when our hosts in Aucklandinvited us to accompany them to the hostel where the team was billeted. I was introduced to the TCK Rugby captain for next year, a Wanigasekera boy and what fine manners he displayed as he conducted himself in conversation and discussion. The TCK team had come to New Zealandto get experience ahead of next year's season. This therefore meant that senior players who had contributed to the success of the just concluded season were not able to travel. This was not a trip for fun and reward for a great season but as a tour to gain experience for becoming better for next year!! The team manager's son who had been a senior was also not ruled to travel since this was for building next year's side and not for reward! Apparently when the TCK team walked through the immigration at Aucklandairport they cut such striking figures that they caught the attention of most around at that time.

The team itself played two games, losing one narrowly and winning one by a huge margin. The Rugby Skills displayed was fantastic especially the way the team including the backs would set up for rucking and 'phase' plays. The team would go into several phases and engage the opposition completely especially the larger built 'Kiwi' schoolboys. The backs would run the ball with excellent running skills which would have made any Super 14 team stop and take notice! After the second game, the young captain made a very good speech thanking their hosts for the arrangements and the Auckland RFU and the NZRFU for their support. He also wished the losing opposition and congratulated the victorious TCK team and did all of this like a seasoned veteran!

No doubt the highlight of the tour was when the TCK team had been invited to be present and take part in a practice session with the Auckland Air New Zealand National Provincial Championship team and much to the team's delight and luck had Graham Henry, the All Blacks coach who was also present to watch the practice, spend 30-45 minutes in a coaching session with the TCK team at the scrum machine!!! After this the TCK forwards were allowed the opportunity to practice line out skills against the Auckland team which had the All Black lock forward Ali Williams jumping for the ball with All Blacks Hooker Keven Meelamu throwing the ball into the line out!! And the TCK backs had the opportunity of practicing with the Aucklandbacks which included All Black wingers Joe Rokocoko and Doug Howlett !!! What amazing experience this would have been to a young team of schoolboy rugby players. The team also went on to watch a quarter final NPC match between Aucklandand Bayof Plenty.

This team will be strong force to play against for any school team in the next season.
The parents and Old Boys of TCK in Sri Lankaand New Zealandand possibly elsewhere had helped with putting the tour together."

That was his account. For our part, the Old Thomians here in New Zealand, hope we can organize ourselves just as well sometime in the not too distant future.

With Best Wishes to all….

RaviKalpage