Singer Rugby League 2017: Good rugby by Royal

Thomian skipper Navin Heenakankanme was unstoppable 

By Shamseer Jaleel

Royal College kicked off their 2017 rugby season in grand style when they overcame some tough times to beat the gutsy St. Joseph’s College outfit 28-22. 

In their second outing they beat the St. Peter’s 17-10 after the home team made a strong comeback in the latter half. But poor decision-making cost the Bambalapitiya lads the game while Royal were lucky to escape after they built a lead through a superlative brand of rugby which helped them continue their winning streak.

S. Thomas’ too continued their dominance in school rugby this season when they outclassed Prince of Wales 57-0. Their skipper Navin Heenakankanmge was unstoppable. But they had a tough encounter in their second week when they edged out the gutsy Zahira College outfit 29-22.

Meanwhile, Science College had a disastrous start when they were beaten 19-13 by Zahira in the season opener. In their second game they confronted Trinity College, who trumped them by more than 50 points.

Trinity kicked off their season in grand style when they outplayed Wesley 64-14. Trinity’s forwards looked very mobile in their approach. A shoulder charge by one of the Wesley players soon after a Trinity try led to a free-for-all which ended in a two-match suspension for the Wesley bench while the Wesley player responsible for the shoulder charged was banned for the season. 

Wesley’s Principal was prompt in his response, visiting Trinity and apologising for the transgression of his player. Wesley beat Prince of Wales 28-10 in their second encounter.

Trinity, who will play the majority of their games away in Colombo, made their second trip to the capital when they outplayed Science 52-7 at Havelock Park. Trinity, coached by former New Zealand Sevens sensation Rikabulla, looks a threat for many schools this season.

Rajans scare Pathana

Isipathana went through some tough times before launching a brilliant second half rally to beat Dharmaraja College 18-12. Isipathana will play St. Joseph’s in their second outing today.

St. Peter’s won their first encounter against the Antonians in a close encounter but lost 17-10 to Royal in their later game where their decision-making was a major reason for the loss after dominating the latter half though they were only able to touch down once.

The Joes, after going down in a close encounter to Royal, will host Isipathana today.

St. Anthony’s College, who were narrowly beaten by the Peterites in their opener, outclassed DSS 54-25. The Antonians too are title contenders this season, fielding an outstanding outfit coached by Viper Gunaratne Sr.