Joes and Antonians set for thrilling encounter

By Shamseer Jaleel

Both the Antonians and Joes outfits will meet in a thriller, must-win encounter for both sides to remain in the top four in their group, plus advance to round two. This encounter will be played at the Bogambara Stadium on 26 March.

Both teams are going through tough times but the Joes outfit overcame a lowly-placed Rajans last weekend. At present, Rajans and D.S. are likely to be left out of the race for the top four in their respective group. Joes having some outstanding players in their ranks with Chathura Seneviratne on top, having represented national youth team at the Under-18 and Under-20 level at sevens and fifteens will be a major threat for the Katugastota lads along with Cheethiya. While Amarasinghe and Samuel Maduwantha, who is their reliable place-kicker, could play a major part if the Antonians end on the winning side.

Trinity, who did remarkably well under their new Head Coach Lote Raikabullah, will be at home for the first time this season when they play Prince of Wales at Pallakelle. The lads from Kandy won all their four Colombo outings without much sweat but round two will be a tough battle with the four top teams from the other group. They are likely to give much-needed exposure to the bench at this encounter.

Zahira, the dark horse of the tournament, having done well in their group encounters, will face the gutsy Wesley outfit which should be a close affair but on form Zahira looks a yard faster.

Unbeaten Royal will play wounded Isipathana for the Maj. Milroy Fernando trophy. Isipathana lost out to the Peterites who came back with good form. This encounter will be a ding dong battle with Royal holding the edge at present.

The Thomians, after losing out to Wesley and Trinity, will be eager to sign off their first round with a huge win over their town mates Science who are going through a lean patch and are surely to be left out of the race along with POW.

Rajans, after having two close calls and ending on the losing side against Pathana and Royal will be all out to register their first win against D.S. in Kandy.

March 25: Royal vs. Isipathana, Royal Complex (Referee Rohan Fernando), Dharmaja vs. D.S, Bogambara Stadium (Referee Ranjith Kumar), S. Thomas’ vs. Science, Longdon Place (Referee Aruna Shantha)

March 26: St. Anthony’s vs. St. Joseph’s, Bogambara Stadium (Referee irshard Cader)

March 27: Trinity vs. POW, Pallekelle (Referee Anil Mangala)