Trinity-Pathana much awaited encounter

By Shamseer Jaleel

Singer league rugby will move towards its second games in round two this week-end. The much looked forward encounter for this week-end will be the clash between the unbeaten Isipathana and unpredictable Trinitians at the CR&FC rugby grounds on 4 June. 

These two leading rugby playing schools always maintain high standard of rugby football and their friendship grown with both institution maintaining very good relationship. But sadly still they do not play for a trophy which is a big minus point for this annual encounter. 

Both teams possess quality three quarter lines with the Havelock Town lads holding the edge. If space is given they will run circles around Trinitians. Skipper Kushan Indunil and Sumudhu Rankothge are both class acts. Trinity will heavily depend on Geshan Pethiyagoda, nephew of former Sri Lanka rugby player Indrajith Bandaranayake. He has been outstanding this season in attack as well as in defence. He is lightning fast in attack. 

In forwards play Trinity hold the edge led by skipper Rahul Karunathilake. Shalindra Alahakoon, Rukshan Dhammpala and scrum half Anuk Boyagoda are game changers. 

The schools started their traditional encounter in 1981. In 1991 and 2000 they did not play. Isipathana leads the tally with 22 and Trinitians have won on 17 occasions. Tied years were in 1990, 1992 and 1993. 

S. Thomas’ and St. Peter’s will clash for the Archibald Perera trophy. Thomians enjoying one of their best seasons and unbeaten so far will need to fire all cylinders in order to come on top of the Peterites who had a close call against Royal last weekend and ended on the losing end. 

The Thomians led by Pandula De Silva will be not only out to clinch the trophy but also to maintain their winning streak this year. Thomians’ play maker and winger Naveen Henakanakanamge will be a marked man for this game. Peterites are led by Sandesh Jayawickrema, yet to produce good consistent rugby this season. The lads from Bambalapitiya also possess some quality players such as Senura Premawardena, Shane Gurusinghe and Sajth Seram who could turn tables on any team. 

Royal will be in Kandy for the second time this season when they confront Katugastota Antonians at Nittawela. Royal would love to have their first win in Kandy but the Antonians are no pushovers and have improved considerably in the second round. Led by Nikila Gunadheera, a classy player, along with Owin Askey and Shabith Feroze, Royal should be home with a win. 

Antonians led by Pasindu Dilshan narrowly escaped without being demoted to the Plate segment and improved in their last two outings against Kingswood and Thomians. But the Katugastota lads need to spread and play the full 80 minutes of the game. 

The last encounter for this week will the game between Wesley and Science. Science led by Nirosha Udayanaa, scrum half Madumadawa and Thanuja Maduranga should have things their own way and come out with a win this weekend. They were only defeated by Pathana this season.

Wesley is led by Prop forward Zyan Sabar and has some quality players such as Avishka Lee, Denister Goonathilake and Omar Kuthubdeen. But they need to combine both their forwards and three quarter line and work as one unit to make an upset win in this game. 

Currently Thomians and Isipathana are the two unbeaten sides in the League.