Zahira and DS to play for RIT Alles Trophy

Singer Schools Rugby League 2018

By Shamseer Jaleel

Zahira College, Colombo and D.S. Senanayake College will lock horns for the RIT Alles Memorial Challenge Trophy.

Kick-off is scheduled for 4.00 p.m. at the Welisara Navy Rugby Grounds today.

Both schools lost their first game in the league last week. Zahira were outclassed by the Peterites while D.S. Senanayake were edged out by a young Isipathana outfit by one point, so both sides will be all out to win this game to bounce back in the Singer League this year.

On 18 March there will be three matches up for decision in the Central Province. These games will be played on 18 March due to the two big matches in Kandy today and tomorrow. Trinity will host the strong St. Joseph’s College outfit at Pallekelle. 

Although Trinity have won against their traditional rivals St. Anthony’s College, Katugastota, the win was off-colour. Trinity should improve in this game by conceding a fewer number of penalties to their opponents. The Lions’ fitness was superior as they lasted the full 70 minutes, playing cohesive rugby in the last 10 minutes of the game. 

Their centres, Warren Weerakoon, Naveen Rajaratnam, Mohamed Ikram, Lenox Kalyanratne and Skipper Avishka Sheik, stood out for the Trinitians. The Joes will depend heavily on Gemunu Cheethiya, one of the best players in school rugby. He will be hard to stop. St. Joseph’s are coached by Nilfer Ibrahim while the Lions are coached by Lote Raikabulla.

The Antonians will be smarting from a defeat to Trinity and will meet a strong Royal outfit at Nittawela. Royal, led by Shabith Feroze, have got an outstanding outfit and should be safely home in this game. 

The third game in Kandy will be between the Thomians and Kingswoodians at the Bogambara Stadium. Both teams lost their first game. The Randles Hill school lost to Royal while S. Thomas’ College lost out to St. Joseph’s College. 

According to reliable sources, the Thomians have refused to play at Bogambara Stadium, which is not suitable for rugby and badly maintained, posing a threat of injury to players with rough spots all over. The Peterites will be up against Wesley in the only game in Colombo on 18 March.

Today 

Zahira vs. D.S. Senanayake at Welisara

March 18

Trinity vs. St Joseph’s at Pallekelle

St. Anthony’s vs. Royal at Nittawela

Kingswood vs. S. Thomas’ at Bogambara Stadium

St. Peter’s vs. Wesley at Havelock Park