League decider at Bambalapitiya

 St Peter’s strong contender for the League 

 Singer League 2019

By Shamseer Jaleel

With only 2 more matches left for all the leading 8 teams in the Singer League 2019 Cup segment, the fate of the league will be very likely to be decided between the two top Catholic schools in the Island, Joes and St Peter’s. Both teams will lock horns on 22 June at Bambalapitiya.

St Peter’s lost out to the Thomians in the opening game, but kept their performance at peak afterwards, never conceding any defeats. At present they have accumulated 40 points. The lads from Bambalapitiya are led by Bilal Hilmy, with Rajeev Perera taking over from Sanath Martis who will return shortly. Meanwhile their traditional rivals Joes are in top form under Tharindu De Alwis playing cohesive rugby, they are coached by veteran Nilfer Ibrahim. They suffered their only defeat at the hands of Wesley. They have collected 35 points so far. Santhush Algama their place kicker is their main weapon. Meanwhile Royal too are at 35 points, but suffering from a major shock when they were grounded at their own backyard by Trinity in their second leg of the Bradby Shield encounter last week. Led by Thulaib Hassen, Royal is expected to come on top when they face Isipathana, played for the Maj. Milroy Fernando Trophy. Meanwhile Isipathana, being inconsistent this season, will be under Serasinghe with last year’s skipper Ruberu doing the majority of the damage for their opponent teams.

This trophy was first presented in 1986. Maj. Milroy Fernando studied at Isipathana and later at Royal. He sacrificed his life while serving in Omanthai. His father Col Dudley Fernando too was a Royalist. His younger brothers, Dilroy, Sanjaya and Sanjeewa all played for the Green Shirts during 1980’s.

Trinity will be full of confidence after their second leg performance, when they lock horns with their brother school, Thomians at Mount Lavinia. Trinity led by Reshan Bandaranayake, a fourth generation player for the “Lions”, got ample talent such as Janidu Ratnayake, Harsha Samarasinghe, Lenox Calyanaratne, and Chethiya Pananwela in their starting line-up. Thomians, although they defeated Science College easily, are caught up with injury worry plus a few players keeping away from training is a big worry. The lads from Mount Lavinia are occupying 5th position while Trinity is at 7th position.

The 4th match of the week will be between Wesley College and Science College, where Wesley is expected not only to win, but to climb up the ladder to 4th position.

June 22

Cup

St Thomas vs. Trinity- Mount Lavinia

Royal vs. Isipathana- Royal Complex

St Peter’s vs. St Joseph’s - Bambalapitiya

 Plate

Vidyartha vs. 

Sri Sumangala - Nittawela

Zahira vs. Kingswood - Maradana

June 23

Cup

Wesley vs. Science - Havelock Park

Plate

Dharmaraja vs. DS - Nittawela