Upcountry rule at top of table
View(s):Trinity College Kandy continues to lead the Singer Under-20 School Rugby League Division I ‘A’ points table as the competition approaches its seventh week. Last year’s Schools League runners-up Trinity remain on the top unbeaten after having recorded five wins and a draw in six games while high-riding Dharmaraja College follow behind closely to dislodge the table leaders.
Trinity beat hometown rivals St. Anthony’s by 22-14 yesterday as they stand top by a point ahead of Dharmaraja in the table. Dharmaraja too remains unbeaten after six games with five wins and a draw. Interestingly the top two teams drew against each other in their tournament game played in the opening week of the competition, which may come out as a crucial point for both teams in the coming weeks.
The greatest upset from last week was Kingswood gaining back their momentum to draw against high-riding Science. - Pic by Amila Gamage
St. Peter’s College snatched a last minute victory over Science College by 29-23 at Bambalapitiya to jump one place to the top ahead of Wesley who suffered to their third defeat against Dharmaraja at Longdon Place on Friday by 36-24. This win gave Dharmaraja further boost in their hopes towards a possible league championship this season. St. Peter’s are in the third position with four wins from six games and they exchanged places from last week with Wesley who recorded three wins and three losses. Former champions Royal who are going through a mediocre season elevated two positions to fifth after their unimpressive 14-7 win against St. Joseph’s. They have recorded three wins and three losses from six games.
In the bottom half giant killers Science who aim the third slot moved down a place to sixth position with two wins, three defeats and a trilling draw which came last weekend against Kingswood College. Yesterday they experienced their third defeat against St. Peter’s. St. Anthony’s College Katugastota who is experiencing a season of mixed fortunes too lost a place and is at seventh, after having recorded the similar numbers of outcomes as Science. St. Joseph’s who lost to Royal yesterday remains at eight position. But the Josephians have a draw to their tally against St. Anthony’s. Kingswood, who recorded their maiden win swapped places with yesterday’s opponents, defending Isipathana College whom they beat by 27-17. With the defeat Isipathana was pushed down to the bottom of the table.
The upcoming week will be crucial to all teams, especially those in the top five with four games scheduled to be played next Saturday. Table leaders Trinity will lock horns against St. Joseph’s at Longdon Place aiming a possible win while St. Peter’s will be able to strengthen their win tally when they take on a fragile Kingswood side at Bambalapitiya. Royal and Isipathana will clash at Royal Complex, a match played for the Major Milroy Fernando Trophy and the hosts will look forward to warm up for the first leg the Bradby Shield looking for a win.
The encounter between Science and Wesley at Mt. Lavinia will be crucial for both teams. This will be the pick of matches next Saturday with both teams being evenly poised. Next Sunday (19), Dharmaraja will have to clear a crucial hurdle when they confront hometown rivals St. Anthony’s at Bogambara. This match too can be described as a vital one with Dharmaraja looking better after each game and with the Antonians playing more positively than from the first few weeks of the competition.
Meanwhile S. Thomas’ College Mt. Lavinia enjoys a one-horse run in the Division I ‘B’ segment as they remain unbeaten with five wins from five so far. The Thomians who beat Trinity in a traditional game a few weeks ago are well set for a strong return to the top group while D.S. Senanayake College and Ananda College battle at second and third aiming for a possible promotion. From the Division I ‘C’ Piliyandala Central enjoy a clean run with five wins under their belt.
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