Friday Nov 15, 2024
Friday Nov 15, 2024
Friday, 24 April 2015 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
This week’s matches serves as important dress rehearsals for the all-important Bradby encounter scheduled for the coming weeks. Thus all eyes will be on Trinity and Royal as they attempt to fine tune their act in preparation of the big game ahead. It is important however, for both teams not to get too far ahead of themselves as they must also focus on the game this week. The coaching staff will be well aware of this and will have to handle and counsel the team members accordingly.
RC will take on the Thoras whilst TCK have a tricky encounter with Science at Mount Lavinia. The Thoras are currently occupying the fourth slot with a tally of 7.5 Points with a solitary win. TCK is riding high topping the segment with an impressive 16.5 points and are unbeaten so far. RC occupies the second slot breathing close on the heels of TCK with half a point separating them and they remain unbeaten as well. Both RC and TCK will be mindful of injuries this week ahead of the Bradby that will be worked off after the Wesak holidays.
Science has played well so far barring a single loss and is known to play the game hard and fearless tacklers. How TCK will manage the heat in Colombo will be interesting and if there are rains, TCK will be better equipped to handle the greasy ball. Science has nothing to lose and everything to prove and will be looking to give as well as they get. Hopefully the game will be played in the correct spirit and of so, we are all assured of a treat.
The Petes will take on Pathana and over the past years this has turned out be a bit of a grudge game for more than one reason. Whenever these two teams have met a lot of interest has been evoked and the boisterous supporters will be in all their glory as they trek across the short distance to the Petes home turf. The Petes have not turned in a consistent performance so far although there appears to be some structure to their style of play under the new coach.
Pathana will be least fazed with the style of play of the Petes and know to play it just one way and will target key play makers of the Pete outfit especially their skipper who has been a source of inspiration in the recent past. Take him out of the equation and the three quarters could look very ordinary with no punch. Pathana is a very hardy and resilient outfit and over the years they have been a force to be reckoned with, as they are quick to capitalise on the mistakes of their opponents. At times they indulge in high strategies and when they come off they look a class apart.
The Petes would need to play it tight and be quick to the breakdown point thereby cutting off the Pathana opportunist tactics. Pathana like to play the game at their own pace and have been known to be rattled if the pace is slowed down thereby cutting out their flamboyant moves and main supply lines. It all points to a fascinating battle and we should all be in for a good game of rugby.
(The writer can be reached via [email protected].)
