Joes vs. Anto encounter to decide Trinitians fate

By Shamzeer Jaleel

School Rugby League Under 20 will move towards its last sets of matches with both Trinity and Royal having completed their first round of matches. The battle heats up for the second place on offer with the match between Joes and Antonians more important for Trinity. If Joes wins this encounter, then they will move forward as the second-best team along with Royal. If Antonians win or match ends in a draw, then Trinity will be through for the next round as the second-best team along with Royal.

Meanwhile in the other group, the only unbeaten side in the League so far, Isipathana will march forward for round 2.

Joes hold slight edge

Joes who are at number 3 at present will look forward to finish round 1 on a winning note. They have many injury worries plus miss their Head Coach Nilfer Ibrahim on duty with the Men’s National sevens team at the Commonwealth Games 2022.

Meanwhile the Antonians who will play their 2nd game in tandem in Colombo after being edged out by the Thomians in their last encounter will be looking forward to end with a winning note. Antonians has been lacking the finishing touches in their good moves. Their three-quarter line looked threatening but need the support of the forwards to gain the end results. Joes needs a win, but Trinity will be very eager in this game thinking that their Big Match rivals can beat or end on equal terms in order for them to move to round 2.

Wesley hold the edge

Wesley College will be in Kandy playing their last game when they lock horns with Rajans. Double blues should not have much difficulty in over-coming their opponents but playing in Kandy they could face a few challenges in order to customise for the local climate conditions. A win here will put Wesley in to round 2.

Referee Aaqil Jamaldeen 

Peterites play for pride

St. Peter’s College going through one of the lean patches this season will be all out to end round 1 on a winning note when they confront Science College. Both the schools are out of contention for round 2.

Referee Raveen Alexander

Thomians to continue winning streak

Thomians will be in Kandy and will be expecting to end round 1 on a winning note when they face Kingswood College being the wooden spoonist of the group. They were massacred by Royal, Trinity and Antonians by half a century each in their outings while losing out to Joes 3/34.  The lads from Randles hill being able to cross the line of their opponent team only once this season.

Meanwhile Thomians under Head Coach Shamly Nawas did well in all their four games. Though they were beaten by Trinity, Royal and Joes all three games could have gone either way. They beat Antonians in their last outing and expecting a repeated performance to end on number 4 in the group which is the best they could do at present.

Referee Aruna Shantha

30 July

Dharmaraja vs. Wesley                                Nittawela

31 July

Kingswood vs. St. Thomas                            Nittawela

Science vs. St. Peter’s                                    Ratmalana

1 Aug

St. Joseph’s vs. St. Anthony’s                       Havelock Park