Two games in Kandy today

By Shamzeer Jaleel

Singer league 2016 will come to an end this week-end with the conclusion on Trinity vs St Peter’s at Pallekelle and Antonians taking on Wesley at Nittawela.

Trinity who are placed 5th will be playing their last encounter at their own den in Pallekelle when they host the Peterites. The third oldest school rugby match encounter between the two esteemed institutions started way back in 1933. This encounter is played for the Late Lieutenant General Dennis Perera Shield. He was the Commander of the Sri Lanka Army from 1977 to 1981.

Trinity led by national youth player Rahul Karunathilake is a unit which improved in the last couple of weeks. Number 8, Shalindra Alahakoon, Flanker, Shade Deane Anjana Bandara, scrum half Anuk Boyagoda, Geshan Pethiyagoda, Dulakshan Dange and Sanushka Abeywickrema are a set of crack players who could turn out to be match winners. Trinity will heavily depend on fly half Lashan Wijesuriya’s place kicking to be accurate to put pressure on the Peterites. 

Peterites have number 8, Senura Premawardena, skipper, Sandesh Jayawickrema, Theekshana Dassanayake and Aveeshka Heenpellaall, very good players for the Bambalapitiya school. Dharmapala Nimal will be the referee.

In the second Kandy encounter Wesley will meet the Katugastota Antonians in the ‘Battle of the Wooden Spoon’ to avoid the last position at Nittawela Rugby Stadium today. Wesley led by Zayan Sabar will have a clear edge over their opponents. The Antonians will heavily depend on their full back, Maduantha’s place kicking and touch kicks. He is one of the best place kickers this season. Losers in this encounter is very likely to miss out on the knock trophy which will commence later this month. Pradeep Fernando will blow this game.

In Colombo two unbeaten teams Isipathana and St Thomas will lock horns with the winners taking away the Singer league. If Isipathana wins it will be after a 2 year wait while the Thomian wait is from the year 2000 under Gavin Jayasekera. Royal will play Science in their last league encounter.