Unbeaten Peterites hold the edge

By Shamseer Jaleel

The Singer Schools Rugby League 2018 second round will kick off this weekend in Kandy with two Cup encounters and two Plate segment matches to be worked off in the Central Hills. 

Trinity will be hosting the unbeaten Peterites at Pallekelle today. The kickoff is scheduled at 4 p.m. 

Trinity, who went down to Royal, Joes and Kingswood, were only able to beat the Thomians and Antonians. They ended round 1 at number 3, but improved in their performance against Royal back at home in their second leg encounter. Better leadership and guidance will be expected from Avishka Shiek of Trinity, and he should try to play the territorial advantage and take play to the opposition half and put the visitors under pressure. Vishwa Ranaraja, Rashen Bandaranayake and Zayd Faizal are all class players. Sakalasuriya’s kick to touch and conversions will play a vital part in this game. He is expected to join the team later in the first half. Amith Kulatunge, operating from the base of the scrum, had a grand outing last weekend at the Bradby encounter. Naveen Rajaranam, who is still recovering from his injury, will be on the bench. 

The second best team after the first round is St Peter’s College, coached by the best ever Sri Lanka junior rugby coach, former Isipathana and CR and FC player, Sanath Martis. The Peterites have played five matches and beat all their opponents, winning against Zahira (48/12), Wesley (33/17), Dharmaraja (42/5), Isipathana (20-13) and D. S. (43/7). The Peterites are led by flanker Javed Zarook, who had a grand season leading from the front. Scrum-half Jason Karunaratne, fly-half Dilshan Madushanka, second-row forward Nizran Nilar and fullback Shehan Liyanapathirana, who is their highest points scorer in the ongoing league, are an asset for the Petrite outfit and could make the difference between the two outfits. This encounter is played for the Dennis Perera trophy and during the 4 years, lads from Bambalapitiya were dominating by winning three in a row since 2015. In the initial year, Trinity won under Tharinda Ratwatte 29/22. The following years, under Kevin Dixon, Sandesh Jayawickrema and Diyath Fernando, the Petrites got the better of the “Lions. 

Trinity

Avishka Sheik (Capt.), Praveenda Wijethilake, Neranjan Vitharana, Mahadi Abdullah, Yomal Bandara, Mecan Yashwara, Mohamed Ikram, Dulanjith Nethwara, Lenox Calyanaratane, Amith kulatunge, Vishwa Ranaraja, Mohamed Suhaib, Warren Weerakoon, Reshan Banradanayake and Danidu Herath. 

St. Peter’s

Javed Zarook (Capt), Abdullah Faiz, Julion Harls, Janidu Yasas, Yohan Fernando, Senura Perera, Lakshan Fernando, Bilal Hilmy, Jason Karunaratne, Kenneth Wimaladasa, Vishara Shean, Sunara Fernando, Rukshan Fernando, Dayan Fernando and Shehan Liyanapathirana. 

Referee

Harshana Wijeweera

Joes beat Wesley

Joes opened the second round of the Singer league 2018 Cup encounter when they beat Wesley by 26 points (3 goals, 1 try) to 16 points (2 tries, 2 penalties) at Havelock Park, yesterday.

At the short breather, the winners led 14/8. (SJ)