Joes hold the edge

Singer Rugby League 2019

By Shamseer Jaleel

Trinity College will be in Colombo for the second time this season when they confront the unbeaten Joes this time at Havelock Park.

Reshan Bandaranayake leads the Lions

Tharindu-De-Alwis leads Joes

The game which was to be played under lights will be worked off at the usual 4 p.m. today.

Though Trinity College dominated the series in the recent past the school from Darley Road has shown a clear edge by winning a few of them including the last one at Pallekelle by 32/25 in a high scoring encounter.

Joes show good form under Tharindu de Alwis with Nilfer Ibrahim as their Head Coach. They won all three of their matches against Science College, St. Anthony’s College and Zahira College with only the first one being unimpressive and rest having a touch of class in their performance. 

Santhush Algama is on cracking kicking form at home and away and could be a major threat for Trinity who should find their answer for poor kicks at goal this season. In their last Antonian encounter they missed out on seven kicks at goal plus with Isipathana all three of them.

Trinity is led by Reshan Bandaranayake, the fourth generation of Bandaranyakes representing the Kandy school. He is one of the best players in their rank who can lead from the front either at full back or scrum half position. 

Geeshapa Kulatunge is another player to watch with his lightning pace run down the wing. Weight lifter and prop forward Mahdee Abdullah is yet to reach his peak and it would be ideal for him to show his strength at the front row. On form Joes hold the edge but the team is settling fast and first and with accurate kicking qualities could pull this off. Trinity is coached by Inthi Marikar.

Close encounter expected at Nittawela

Wounded Antonians without a single win out of their three games will be getting their best chance when they host Science College at Nittawela today.

Science lost out to Joes and Isipathana but got the better of Zahira while Antonians lost out all three to Joes, Trinity and Isipathana, all being tough outings earlier in the season.

22 March (today)

St. Anthony’s College vs Science College – Nittawela

St. Joseph’s College vs Trinity College – Havelock Park

23 March (tomorrow)

Isipathana College vs Zahira College – Havelock Park

Kingswood College vs Royal College – Nittawela

24 March

Wesley College vs St. Peter’s College – Longdon Place

25 March

S. Thomas’ College vs Maliyadeva College – Mount Lavinia