Isipathana extend streak, Royal less than regal

By Shamseer Jaleel

Defending champions Isipathana continued their unbeaten run in the Singer League Under 20 competition when they ground down a determined Trinity outfit 37-22 in Kandy. 

Meanwhile, the Royalists struggled to edge out St. Joseph’s College 25-22 in a tense battle in Colombo. The shock of the week was St. Peter’s loss to S. Thomas’ in a game which the Bambalapitiya school was widely expected to win easily. The last game of the weekend was between Science and Kingswood College. The Mount Lavinia lads not only won 37-22 but also secured third position with both Trinity and St. Peter’s dropping one slot in the rankings.

Trinity dominated proceedings during the initial half of the game, playing some cohesive rugby. However, they could not continue their good form in the latter half. 

At times in the first half Isipathana made some critical errors but recovered later through some fantastic three-quarter play which the Trinitians had no answer for. Trinity missed three scoring chances and had one try disallowed by touch judge D. Nimal, who signalled a knock forward. For Isipathana, their skipper and Number 8 Omalka Gunaratne played a grand game. He was lightning fast in loose ball play and at times it took nearly three Trinity players to stop him. 

Overall the game was played in the right spirit and there was no unwanted rough play. For Trinity, their own skipper Isuru Rangala played a fantastic game. Isipathana have only one hurdle left - beating Royal College next weekend in a vital final encounter while Trinity will be hosted by the Joes at Longdon Place in their last game of the league.

In another match, S. Thomas’ shocked their rivals St. Peter’s to secure the Archibald Perera Trophy after a lapse of five years. It was a remarkable comeback for the Thomians after they were written off by many who predicted that they would end the season last. 

The Thomians opted to play a major part of the game with their heavier sets of forwards who were outstanding. After a close first half, with the Bambalapitiya boys leading 10-8, the Thomians stormed back in the later half to score. In the end the lads from Mount Lavinia ran out winners 25-17.

The game between Royal and St. Joseph’s College was another encounter which did not proceed exactly according to its pre-game script. Royal, after leading 18-17, edged out a determined St. Joseph’s outfit playing a strong brand of rugby this season. 

Royal’s Number 8 Warunakulasuriya and Joes’ Prop Stephan Gregory played their hearts out. Both the unbeaten Royal and Isipathana will clash at the Royal Sports Complex in their final league game, which will decide who takes home the Cup this year.

Science College continued their good work after leading 25-17 at halftime to complete this win on their home ground. After the turnaround Science scored twice with the Randles Hill school replying with one try. 

Science will be a dark horse for the Milo Knockout Trophy and could well shock a few leading schools.