Spotlight on exciting close encounters between lower weight categories

Dialog Schools Rugby League 2023 – Week 4 Preview 

The Grand Masters of the Schools Rugby World above will face the heat of the resurgence from down below on the 4th week of the Dialog Schools Rugby League. This week packs some exciting close encounters between the lower weight categories as well. Let’s have a run through the matches in week 4, to find out from which side the cookie crumbles?

Pathana vs DSS at Havelock Park on 7 July:

The high riding and high-spirited D. S. Senanayake is expected to meet its Maker on its third, but yet the most challenging encounter in their group. The billion-dollar question is if they will be able to collect the bonus point in this game? None of the three Schools that went down to Isipathana were able to succeed in this, nevertheless many look up to the Donz to achieve this rare feat.

However, the question then would be; do the Donz have what it takes to level up to the supreme greens? Yes indeed; but they have to quickly correct some of their flaws. They already possess the pace and infiltration capabilities built into their Backs. Their Forwards would be much more effective against Isipathana, should they decide to employ them in their offensives. They also own the supreme weapon of touch kicking that will help them go the distance and set up camp in Pathana’s territory.

Yet, they have had some issues in the lineouts that have caused them to lose the Ball on many occasions. This is the first flaw they have to sort out, as Isipathana already consists of great pluckers of the Ball in the lineouts. Secondly, they have to quickly address their handling errors, to minimise them as much as possible. When you are up against a team like Pathana, every little mistake or defect counts.

As for the greens, they will be facing arguably their toughest opponent in their group, before they meet their Maker in the Super Round. After their last two matches, all the Coaches now recognise their weak points, and they will be sure to target them. Pathana now has no choice but to strengthen those areas. They have to now leave everything aside and strenuously practice defence without infringements, and their Forwards have to get fitter to withstand the Titanic!

In essence, this game would be another battle of the Backs, comprising the much-loved fast and open Rugby from both sides!

Royal vs Zahira at Royal Complex on 8 July:

Royal will finally face a somewhat suitable opponent to assess their might, after a lapse of three weeks, when they take on Zahira at home on Saturday. Although Zahira is unlikely to cause an upset, they are expected to make the Tuskers slog for a bonus point win.

Zahira looks strong in all departments of the game, especially with the Forwards who can bravely counter their opponent; but the question is, for how long? Royal could attack with their Forwards all day long, if necessary. On the flipside, the Zahirians would be eager to test their strength by attacking with their Forwards as well. It would be quite interesting for the fans to discover the outcome of the battle of the Forwards. In addition, the fans would also savour the thrill of the battle of the Backs, as both Schools pack fancy off loads at fast pace, that will keep the fans tightly engaged. Essentially, the screenplay of this encounter will depend on how each team’s game tactics are accurately executed, in all facets of the game.

Trinity vs Peter’s at Pallekele on 8 July:

The Lions are all set to be slaughtered in their own Den on Saturday, and fascinatingly many would be ready to pay to watch this unfold. This could possibly be the only one-sided affair this weekend between the heavyweights and the featherweights. Unless Trinity College receives miraculous blessings from the heavens above, they would be unmatched in every aspect of the game, and St. Peter’s will be targeting at yet another 30-40 plus in this encounter. SPC is also expecting to run one last lap of trials in this match, in preparation for their next game against the only remaining noteworthy opponent in their group, Zahira. However, Trinity College will fail to offer the necessary resistance required for the SPC Forwards to be duly tested.

If Trinity can be impeccable in their Ball handling, and are able to use every single opportunity that opens up briefly, to get through the SPC defence, then they can lose respectably. They should plan to wait for the series of short punts that will come their way from time to time, and use them skilfully, whenever gaps open up simultaneously. Apart from that, there may not be any other weakness that can be exploited using Trinity’s skillset.

Dharmaraja vs Vidyartha at Bogambara on 8 July:

This would be a close encounter played on Saturday in Kandy, with Dharmaraja having the edge, if they are not too disheartened by the heavy defeat they suffered at the hands of the group leaders last weekend. The same can be said about Vidyartha, but one can be assured that the Tigers will spring back with vengeance, having learnt a few tricks from the masters, that would prove tremendously useful in this game.

Dharmaraja’s Forwards will provide the extra edge over Vidyartha, and the latter would use their experience gained in their last match against Royal to counter the attacks. While the Tigers could barely scratch the Tuskers’ Great Wall defence, they will find it relatively practical to paw on Rajans’. Therefore, it all depends on how fast the Rajans can move to stop the speeding Tigers from leaking through the gaps. This would definitely be a thriller, and all the thrill seekers of the Hill Capital should choose this venue over the other one on Saturday.

Kingswood vs Joes at Pallekele on 9 July:

This would be one of the two thrillers to be kicked off on Sunday. Many think that this will be an easy one for the Joes; well, they may be wrong!

Joes is still one of the strongest teams in the league with a dispersed skillset that is required to become Champions. Yet, they have lost the plot, lost their way, and are now stranded in the middle of nowhere. It could just be a matter of time before they find everything that they have lost, but looking at how things went for them last weekend, that “time” may not come soon enough.

The biggest challenge that Kingswood will face is to curtail Joes’ hefty Forwards attacks, and attack with the Forwards they will! If the Boys from Randles Hill had learnt something from the Boys from Katugasthota, they will aim only low in their tackles, and sometimes it takes two, not only to Tango, but to take a single Joe down. In case they don’t have the muscle or the fitness to do this all day, then Ball possession would be key, in which case they won’t be able to kick to gain territory; hence, a mix of both should work better, depending on the situation. The other monumental challenge for Kingswood is the rolling maul. Once again, they can do exactly what the Katugasthota Lads did effectively to disrupt each and every one of them, or simply avoid committing fouls in their front yard.

On the contrary, the quick Kingswood Backs have the capability to penetrate a comparatively slower Joe defense. Therefore, their Backs would have to be at their maximum stamina level, and be prepared to do a lot of running around the Joes, singing; ring around the Josies, a pocket full of points…

Wesley vs SACK at Royal Complex on 9 July:

This would be the other thriller to be worked out on Sunday. Wesley will be all out to get their first Scalp, and should succeed if they can sustain mature Heads on their Shoulders until the long whistle.

Anthony’s will be playing their first match of the season away from home, and away from a packed Stand full of supporters. Although they will be the firm favourites in this match, they would lose some edge as they are playing an away game.

SACK will have no problems in dealing with Wesley’s Forwards, as they have previously, cleverly diffused all forms of offensives by a bulkier Joes outfit; unless Wesley uses its Forwards tactically. Antho Backs are fast; possibly faster than the Wesley Backs, and will be quick to pounce on the Ball carriers. Therefore, Wesley should strategise to create gaps in the Antho defence, or scatter them like Sheep, in order to infiltrate them. However, the problem is that Antho could do the very same thing, as they have successfully demonstrated earlier against Joes.

Strategies, tactics and game plans aside, the team that could keep its Head cool and accurately execute its plans until the end of the game shall prevail.

STC and Science will take a break on the fourth week.