Royal, STC lock horns for Michael Gunaratne Trophy

By Shamseer Jaleel

The pick of week 3 will be the key encounter between defending Singer League Under20 champions, Royal College and Thomians which will be worked off at the Royal Sports Complex on 9 April.

Royal led by Nikila Gunadheera have lived up to expected standard in their opening game against D.S. Senanayake winning it easily but in their second outing they had to sweat hard to get the better of Wesley outfit 17/14. 

Head Coach of Royal, Sanath N. Martis will not be a happy man with this standard of rugby dished out by the Reid Avenue lads. Royal have got some exceptional talent in their rank with players such as Ovin Askey, Shabith Feroze, skipper Nikila Gunadheerall could be match winners. But they will need to be on top to rattle the Thomians who are playing cohesive rugby this season. 

From the time they won the sevens (after 22 years) Thomians looked a different outfit being hunger for wins. They are led by hooker Pandula De Silva got some class acts such as Abeetha Pliapitiya, Naveen Heenakankanamge and Mayon Jayawardena to attack any side this year. Thomians have already beaten Joes 32/3 in their Lady Jayathilake Trophy and got the better of D S 40/6. They will hope to remain unbeaten in the Singer League. They are coached by veteran Samoan Laga who is with ample experience in school and club rugby not only in coaching but also having represented Kandy SC, CR & FC and Havies. Irshard Carder will handle this encounter.

On the same day Science will host the Rajans at the Air Force grounds in Ratmalana. Science with two wins over Katugastota Atnonians 40/28 and Peter’s 13/10 will have an easy outing who will be able to continue their unbeaten run for yet another week. On the other side Rajans were thrashed by Pathana but got the better of their traditional rivals, Kingswood 24/17 in a close encounter where they re-grouped later in the second half. Rohan Fernando will handle the whistle.

There will be one game down for decision this Saturday (9) when the Katugastota Atnonians play their second home game when they lock horns against Peterites at Nittawela. Antonians under Head coach Nihal Viper Gunaratne (jnr) and Nalaka Weerakody performed well against Science. But Isipathana was too strong last week-end. They have a good chance to come on top in this game playing at home. While the Peterites who beat Kongswood 35/18 lost their form against Science going down in a close game 10/13. Peterites are led by Sandesh Jayawickrema well supported by Sajith Seram and Daneesha Dissnayake. They have their old boy Colin Dinesh to give the support as their Head Coach. Aruna Rankothge will be the referee for this game.

On the following day (April 10) Joes will battle it out with Wesely at Longdon Place. Both teams are searching for a win this season. Joes were beaten by Thomians and Trinitians while Wesley played a yard faster being edged out in both their encounters against Trinity (5/7) and Royal (14/17) hold the edge in this outing. Former Kingswoodian and Police player now in UK, Wekadapola will officiate this encounter. Another top team in the Singer League Isipathana will host Kingswoodians at the Royals Sports Complex. This should be an easy outing for the Havelock Town lads to continue their winning streak. Top class referee Dinka Peiris will be at center stage for this game.

The last game before the Sinhala and Tamil New year will be played on 12 April between unbeaten Trinity and D S Senanayake at the Longdon place. D S already losing heavily against Royal and the Thomians will find it tough to contain the “Lions” who already have won both their games against Wesley (7/5) and Joes (40/14) are getting in to top gear at the correct time. They are blessed with some outstanding players in their ranks such as skipper Rahul Karunathilake, Shanushka Abeywickrema, Geeshan Pethiyagoda and Nathan Yee to deliver the goods. Dharmapala Nimal will be the referee.

Thomians and Royalist are leading the points table in group A with 11 each followed by Trinity at 10.5

Group B leader is Isipathana followed by Science (10.5) and St Peter’s (7).