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Singer League 2017
By Shamseer Jaleel
Defending Singer League Under 20 rugby outfit, Isipathana College will be in Kandy for the second time this season when they lock horns with table leaders Trinity College which will be played at Trinity College Rugby Stadium at Pallekelle this weekend.
This game will certainly attract a packed house and will give a clear direction on which team will safe keep the league trophy this year. Royal and Wesley too have an outside the chance to keep their hands on the title this year.
Both Trinity and Isipathana losing out to unpredictable Peterites this season was an unthinkable incident. Isipathana on form looks a yard faster in round 2 than their opponents from the Central Hills. They beat Zahira and Thomians while Trinity went down narrowly to the Peterites and edged out Joes in a tensed thriller. The “Lions” look solid in forwards play with a heavier and mobile forwards while their opponents Trinity given space could be in big trouble.
Isipthana will heavily depend on Skipper Sumudu Rankothge, Chamod Fernando and Harith Bandara – all top class players having represented national youth outfit are lightning fast runners. Trinity led by Nathan Yee have got mobile forwards of the calibre of Shaveen Ekanayake, Dulash Dange and Warren Weerakoon, hardy players who could split any defence into pieces.
So it’s likely that it’s going to be Trinity forwards and Isipathana three quarter game at Pallekelle. Also it will be an ideal opportunity for both scrum halfs, Harith Bandara (Isipathana) and Anuk Boyagoda (Trinity) to come on top against each other as both having represented the youth national outfit will be eying for the position of scrum half at the Under 19 Asian Rugby Championship in December this year.
In the other games Royal will host Wesley at Royal Sports Complex. Royal is playing cohesive rugby coming into top gear closer to their big occasion of the much-awaited Bradby Shield encounter against Trinity. They will find it tough going if not settled early in the game. Kicking form of skipper Askey and lightning fast Shabith Feroze and Hamza Reza will be heavily marked players in this game.
Wesley showing good form in round 2 will heavily depend on Lee brothers and Aponso to lead the young outfit. Both teams here too have a very good chance to claim the title like Trinity and Isipathana.
Joes will hold a clear edge over the Thomians who are finding it tough in round 2 along with Zahira. Gemunu Cheethiya, Chathura Senenviratne and Sachith Silva are the players to watch from the Joes camp while Sri Lanka youth skipper, Naveen Heenakankanmge will lead the Thomians. This encounter will be played for the Lady Jayathilake Shield.
St. Peter’s and Zahira will battle in a close encounter where both teams have not been showing consistency this season. Zahira though showing a few classy performances has not lived up to expected form in later round while the lads from Bambalapitiya though talented displayed their top form in only two games. They beat two top teams Trinity and Isipathana.
Former Sri Lanka fly half and Police player, Nizam Jamaldeen’s son Aaqil Jamaldeen will be blowing his first major game when he officiates at the Peterite and Zahira encounter. Meanwhile in the Plate segment three Kandy schools Antonians, Dharmaraja and Kingswood will be frontrunners for the trophy.
May 13
Cup segment
