Royal and Joes, sides to watch out for this season

By Shamseer Jaleel 

The Singer League 2018 moved to its second week with both Royal and Joes scoring wins over Antonians and Trinitians up in the hills. So far the two sides to be watched are Royal and Joes who look outstanding with their forwards and three quarters combinations working well for them.   

Joes player held by two Trinitians at the clash which took place at Pallekelle

Royal after a close 15/13 lead during the short breather went on a rampage in the latter half, cutting loose to score a fifty plus points win over the Katugastota lads who lacked fitness. For Royal once again their skipper Shabith Feroze was outstanding with some powerful breaks to which the home team did not have an answer. Antonians will need to revamp fast as they are left with no time and need to end at minimum of number 4 in the group to avoid demotion to Plate segment. 

Meanwhile Gemunu Cheetiya and Tharindu De Alwis were the stars at Pallekelle where the Joes double ran circles around the Trinitians in the latter half. Trinity played well with their forwards and three quarters in the initial half but lacked discipline later, missing out on a number of first tackles and the defence was all over the park. 

For a school spending so much on rugby, it’s surprising they do not have a place kicker who could even take an under the posts kick at goal or penalty. They missed all 5 of them which cost them 10 points. Shah Dole, Nuwan Fernando and Tharinda Ratwatte are the only three place kickers to come out of Trinity in the last two to three decades, which is surprising. Forwards played well for the home team in the entire match. 

Once again Gemunu Cheethiya and Tharindu De Alwis were outstanding and unstoppable in the last 20 minutes of the game, making the difference between the two sides. Now the battle is won for Joes and Nilfer war is yet to come when they meet the other superior side in the group, Royal, and it will be a battle not to be missed by any.

Zahira claimed their first win this season when they edged out DS 19/17 played for R.I.T. Alles Memorial Challenge Trophy. At the short breather scores were leveled at 12 apiece. Kingswood too scored their first win in two matches when they got the better of the Thomians in Digana over the weekend. 

The Randles Hill school is back to their best with their Rugby Consultant Ronny Ibrahim who is with the side for two days a week, a major boost for the Kandy lads. Kingswood went on to score 24 points to which the Thomians replied with a solitary try. Thomians have lost both the games they have played so far. 

Isipathana too continued their winning streak when they handed off lowly-placed Rajans by 42/14. Rajans and DS will need to improve in their performance if they need to stay on top while in the other group it’s between the Thomians and Antonians to improve.