Those valiant men in their double blue

By Upali Ratnayake

When they come on the field there is a resounding blast of a war cry from the mothers, Old Boys and others. Mothers must be singled out. Never do we see such motherly loyalty, such self-sacrifice and such complete expectation of success. They sit together, bring their own sandwiches, dress in blue and shout (shriek may be more to the point) all their sons’ names.

Many do not know that these boys come from poor homes. Some can’t even afford the Rs. 2,000 the school charges monthly. Of course well-wishers and the church step in. There was a thriving boarding house at Wesley. Now it is gone, leaving behind the dorms and the beds. Some of the ruggerites obtain permission to stay over so that they can go for practice. The school generously provides them with meals. These meals are mostly carbs - rice and bread with a curry or two. They are also given a piece of chicken, but the chicken may not even miss that piece from his person and would probably continue to cackle on. Sometimes after a match, an Old Boy may treat the boys to a meal. Then they would get a whole leg. This would disappear within seconds as if through magic.

These boys combine well both in school and on the field. Of course they have fights but that may be with the cricket team for the use of the pool. Wesley is known for discipline. 

They practise mostly at Campbell Park. They have to share the grounds with so many other teams and so they get only a small corner. Sometimes early in the morning they are taken to CR for a full workout. They do not have a foreign coach but only an Old Boy or a past player from a nearby school. The boys do a lot of thinking themselves and strategise their play. A generous Old Boy gave them a video recorder which they use for re-runs of matches. Injuries are taken as part of the proceedings. Not much is made of them. The boys soon get back to the game with a piece of ice in their mouth.

I remember in my school days in the ’50s the school team was coached by masters like Buultjens, Hilary Abeyratne, Percy Madugalle and Bertie Dias. The boys did not have any extra food but the rice and curry served to all. Injuries were treated with little respect. When Mike de Alwis dislocated his shoulder there wasn’t much fuss. He would just have it put back into place just like he would be wearing his shirt. But they played spectacular rugby, winning all their games.

My only prayer is that Wesley will continue to remain unsophisticated and make do with what they have and continue to be giant killers. Their game goes beyond the events on the field; it is a total immersion in Wesley culture and wellbeing where the boys love and respect and assist one another.