Isipathana hold edge over Trinity

Trinity will need to be solid in defence in order to stop Isipathana from scoring freely 

By Shamseer Jaleel

Defending Singer League Under 20 Champions Isipathana will travel to Kandy for the second time this season to confront a determined Trinity outfit in a crucial school league tournament encounter, to be worked off at the Trinity College Rugby Stadium in Pallekelle on 13 June.

Isipathana, led by Number 8 Omalka Gunaratne, are currently unbeaten and enjoying one of their best seasons. The only two obstacles left in their way are Trinity and Royal, whom they will face off against next weekend. 

The lads from Havelock Town are coached by former Sri Lanka Sevens sensation Nilfer Ibrahim and they look quite a threatening outfit and are set for the league once more. Isipathana’s strength are their speedy three-quarters who will be extremely difficult to stop. Trinity will need to come up with a plan to stop them from moving freely, especially their skipper Gunaratne. Trinity too will depend heavily on their own skipper Isuru Rangala. He is one of the tournament’s top leaders and is good in attack as well as defence. Their playmaker is fullback Saranga Gunatilake, who already has 90 points under his belt through nine tries and some good penalty and try conversions. He will have to make the difference for Trinity if they nurture any hopes of finishing with a win. If Trinity is defeated in this game they are in danger of losing their number three position and dropping down to number five with Science College and St. Peter’s College likely to win their games and move up the ladder. This game will be refereed by Dinka Peris.

The unbeaten Royal College will be hosting the high-riding St. Joseph’s College at the Royal Sports Complex. Royal, who will be led by Banuka Gamage, will depend heavily on their Number 8 Warunakulasuriya and Winger Shabith Feroze to deliver the goods. The Joes are brimming with confidence after their win over S. Thomas’ last week. The game will be refereed by Priyantha Gunaratne.

Meanwhile, St. Peter’s will be hosting the Thomians, with the Bambalapitiya school expected to have things their own way. Referee Aruna Rankothge will be charge of action out in the middle.

In the last game of this weekend which will be played on Sunday 14 June, Science College will host the Kingswoodians. Science, who are fifth on the table, should have things their own way with their speedy three-quarter line plus the fact that they are playing at home. The game will be officiated by referee Dharmapala Nimal.