Joes hold the edge

Singer League 2019

By Shamseer Jaleel

When Joes meet Isipathana in week 5 of the Singer League 2019, all Colombo spectators are expected to fill up to capacity at the CR & FC grounds in Longdon Place.

Joes played cohesive rugby this season under their skipper Tharindu De Alwis, who led the team magnificently. He was well supported with the best school combination of scrum half and fly-half. Roshen Goonawardena the nippy scrum-half being the best in schools well supported by Santhush Algama, a class above the rest of the players this season among schools. His kicking ability and accuracy being outstanding, allowed them to get the maximum advantage to attack from opposition half. They are blessed with the one of the best coaching staff in the country, former Kingswoodian Nilfer Ibrahim.

Isipathana too remained unbeaten so far in their 4 games so far. But their consistency is far from good. Their wins against Zahira and Trinity was not so colourful. In the Trinity game they lost out on 3 of their senior players with injuries. Last year’s skipper, Ruberu, is a star who could turn things around. On form, Joes should continue with the winning streak.

Trinity to end on number 4 in group

Trinity College will be playing their last group encounter in round 1 at Pallekele when they host Science College. Trinity possess the much better forwards and fitness, and are expected to pull it off and maintain their number 3 in their group. Science three-quarters are threatening, but Trinity could spoil them.

Trinity are led by Reshan Bandaranayake, while Geeshapa Kulatunge and Amith Kulatunge stood up for them this season. Trinity is expected to make some changes in their starting line-up for this game.

Kingswood and Zahira hold the edge

Both Kingswood and Zahira hold the edge in their encounters against Maliyadeva and St Anthony’s respectively. Both Kingswood and Zahira, though they win, will need to end up playing in the Plate.

 

Close battle between Wesley and Thomians

Both Thomians and Wesley will be battling it out in a close encounter which could go either way. Wesley showed a lot of promise, almost knocking Royal off while Thomians showed their forwards’ strength through some powerful play against the Peterites in their first game, winning by a single point. Wesley will be mindful to avoid number 5 position, as Kingswood will have an easy outing against Maliyadeva.

Royal hold the edge

Royal College are all out to maintain their unbeaten record plus group lead, when they confront the Peterites, who lost out only to Thomians.

 But Royal remained unbeaten although Wesley almost beat them in a close encounter, where the difference between the two sides was a try. 

On form, Royal hold the edge.

March 30

• Kingswood College vs. Maliyadeva College

Nittawela

Referee: Kelum Sandaruwan

• Trinity College vs. Science College

Pallekele

Referee: Gihan Yatawara

• Zahira College vs. St. Anthony’s College

Maradana

Referee: Priya Suranga

• St Peter’s College vs. Royal College

Bambalapitiya

Referee: Praneeth Weeranga

• St Joseph’s College vs. Isipathana College

Longdon Place

Referee: Rohan Fernando

• St Thomas College vs. Wesley College

Mount Lavinia

Referee: Ishanka Abeykoon

Three member committee appointed by SLR