Final duel to determine the immortal of Schools Rugby

It is quite saddening to digest that the final weekend of the 2024 League is upon us, with the last two Super Round games scheduled for Saturday. While one encounter would be played to determine the League Champs and runners-up, the other one would be kicked off to claim the 3rd and 4th places. However as usual, most eyes are focused on the first match-up to determine the unbeaten League Champions of 2024, while the rest are concerned and hopeful that both encounters progress without incidents of indiscipline.

Isipathana vs St. Peter’s at Havelock Park on 17 Aug

Pack up your Backpacks with sleeping bags and head over to Havies on Friday night itself, and queue up outside the Gate, if you are extremely picky on where you watch the match from. The last time these two teams met in the second week of the Super Round, only one team was unbeaten; however, this time both teams are, which would make Havelock Sports Club a raving Haven for the Schools Rugby fanatics this Saturday.

 Coach Sanath Martis would be keenly eyeing to secure the Championship for the second straight season, and would have carefully laid down his wily master plans, to be executed to perfection. His Boys are well groomed and eager physically and mentally to keep stunning the oppositions and patrons alike.

 Possibly an ardent fanboy of the Rock Band Def Leppard, after being ‘two steps behind’ during the whole of 2023, Saliya Kumara has been on-the-mark or beyond tactically, every step of the way in 2024, with some surprise moves that even the analysts failed to anticipate. This itself is a huge credit to the fast-developing Coach who would no doubt be an immense asset to SL Rugby in time to come, and the fact that Isipathana Rugby recognised his potential a year ago, and decided to retain him for another year is phenomenal. His accomplice Dhanushka, has excelled in his department with the Forwards, meeting every requirement and standards set by his Head Coach, and by delivering the required skills at the right time.

 However, Isipathana may not enjoy any distinct home advantage whatsoever, as observed last weekend where they faltered at crucial stages of the game. Although defending well, they failed to portray proper game control in abiding by the laws, and sensible Ball handling to finish their offensives. If one cannot accomplish these with the backing of their home crowd at their home ground, then there must be something radically wrong. The Pathana “Bokka Gaema” was missing in their last encounter as well, as they almost succumbed in the dying minutes of the game, in spite of getting ample opportunities to score the winning points, until Lady Luck decided to step in and thrust the big V down their throats.

 The Brigade will take the field at Havelock Park as firm favourites, and as if playing at home. They shall be blind, deaf and immune to the surroundings and the green decor, and would continue to play their usual dazzling game of Rugby; thus, their opponents should mimic the same behaviour should they wish to maintain their sanity. Sure, they got a bit overwhelmed by a matured and courageous Trinity outfit, and had to put up a fight of the season to stay alive; but they had game control, and had their house in order. Conceding just 8 penalties, and committing 4 unforced errors in their last outing, they would certainly aim to maintain or better these stats in the final showdown. 

 But the stout Brigades can’t jump! Consequently, the Greens shall be Kings of the lineouts, but what they would choose to do with the Ball is left to be seen. Would they take on the Brigade Forwards for a shove-of-war, or would they simply hand it over to their Backs every time? Pathana would have a two-pronged option once they kick to touch, and kick to touch they would, as often as they could, in order to gain territory, and then regain possession.

 Stating SPC would be vulnerable in this set piece, would be an understatement. However, the visitors are well versed in defending Mauls, as well as Pathana’s Backline gimmicks, and therefore the attacking option should be chosen carefully, as per the situation at hand, and the frame of mind of the opposition, at that moment in time.

 Both sides would just waste their energy and time, should they attempt to ‘pick and drive’, as both performed exceptionally well in defending the mighty Tuskers. Therefore, the main form of attack should be with their respective Backlines, accompanied by some occasional bulldozing by the Forwards in an attempt to open up spaces, and perhaps with Mauls as well. Since Peter’s have very little or no chance of forming Mauls, their only method of infiltration might be by purely using their Backs, and that’s what the Brigade and Martis would wish to do anyway. They should be also ready with pristine Boots to take on any extra points that the Greens would divulge due to their indiscipline under pressure.

Royal vs Trinity at Royal Sports Complex on 17 Aug:

It’s not the Bradby just yet, but a dress rehearsal with a rare chance for Royal College to come to terms with the renewed Trinity Rugby, that they may have never planned their drills and tactical plays for. This encounter would also determine the 3rd and 4th places in the 2024 League, and therefore Royal wouldn’t mind going down on this one, in order to regroup and survive the next two faceoffs with their arch rivals.

 The Trinity backline would find the Royal defence relatively easier to infiltrate compared to Peter’s, and therefore may prefer the running game. However, one must not forget the valiant and reasonably successful effort that Royal put up against Isipathana to contain them. However, the Trinity three quarters did play down their own dance moves against the Pete’s, and may continue in the same manner in this encounter as well. As a win here doesn’t mean much to either team, they are expected to play some covert Rugby. Trinity wouldn’t bat an eyelid to take on the Royal Forwards on a mini battle of maul and drive, or pick and drive either, but both sides would choose to play a low impact game in order to avoid injuries. Trinity doesn’t possess the skills to stop the Royal Mauls from forming, and therefore would try to deal with it post formation, which becomes highly fascinating Rugby from a spectator’s perspective. As to what tactics they shall employ to stop the Royal Mauls, other than merely holding it, is left to be exposed on Saturday.

As Trinity’s jumpers are not too skilled in turnovers, RC would have an opportunity to resurrect their Rolling Mauls before even they forget how it’s done. Once it forms, the different tactics used to keep it alive or kill it, would turn out to be another tactical cum skills battle on its own. What is unclear up to now is how well Royal’s pick and drives would work against the Kandy Boys, as they would have already prepped for it adequately, just like the Brigade and Pathana, hence RC should never bank on it. Although both teams have demonstrated top notch skills in their rush and drift defences, Royal appears to be a bit slower this season, compared to their previous seasons, where they set the benchmark for it. Thus, Trinity might have the edge on this, and would enjoy added territorial gains coupled with the sheer pleasure of applying pressure on the opposition, even without the Ball-in-hand. 

They would be hopeful that the mounting pressure within the danger zones shall enforce mistakes or errors that could be used to launch counter attacks, or simply take 3 each time. Nevertheless, whichever team that manages to significantly curtail its fouls, shall have a better chance of coming out as winners on the day. 

(The writer can be reached at: [email protected])