Trinity and Kingswood set to clash in Singer League thriller

By Shamseer Jaleel

The Singer League 2018 will move on to its third week with six matches up for a decision with five of them being worked off in Colombo and one in Kandy.

The pick of the third week’s encounters will be between Trinity and Kingswood at the Nittawela Rugby Grounds on 26 March. Trinity, after getting the better of St. Anthony’s College, went down 32-25 to St. Joseph’s College in a tense thriller. The Trinitians’ main worry was not having a placekicker in their outfit. This could be a deciding factor in close encounters where penalties and kicks at goal will make a huge difference and take the pressure away from both sides. 

Trinity College, led by Avishka Sheik, possess Naveen Rajaratnam, Warren Weerakoon, Mohamed Ikram, Zayd Faizal and Vishwa Ranaraja who are all quality players. The Kingswoodians will depend heavily on skipper Tharindu Weligampola, Ilham and Jaleel to produce the fireworks.  

Trinity is coached by Lote Raikabulla while the Randles Hill school is handled by Ronny Ibrahim. A close encounter is expected with both teams evenly matched.

The Peterites, having won both their games, should make it home safe against Dharmaraja College, who are yet to register a win this season. The game between Wesley College and D.S. Senanayake should be a close affair with Wesley holding the edge. 

The Joes, who are leading the table, should be able to get the better of the Antonians. Gemunu Cheethiya and Tharindu De Alwis are their playmakers. Royal led by Shabith Feroze too should have things their own way when they meet their traditional rivals S. Thomas’ College who are yet to register a win this season. These two schools will play for the Michael Gunaratne Trophy. Royal leads the tally with 31 wins to the Thomians’ 19. The Thomians will be led by Christian De Lile. 

Isipathana, who are living dangerously, will be favoured to pocket a win against Zahira College.   

 March 23 (today)

St. Peter’s vs. Dharmaraja                       Police Grounds  

Wesley vs. D.S. Senanayaka                     CR&FC Grounds 

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

March 24 (tomorrow)

Royal vs. S. Thomas’                               Royal Complex   

Zahira vs. Isipathana                                Zahira College Grounds    

March 26

Kingswood vs. Trinity                               Nittawela Rugby Grounds