Could this be the final standing?
Dharmaraja College stamped their authority on the ongoing Singer Under-20 Schools Rugby League Division I ‘A’ points table as the competition completed its eighth week. Meanwhile in the other two groups, S. Thomas’ College Mt. Lavinia and Piliyandala Central College have virtually won the championships of segments ‘B’ and ‘C’ respectively. They await promotion after this week’s play (If it gets under way at all).
Dharmaraja cemented the top spot of the points table after beating hometown rivals St. Anthony’s College at Nittawela a fortnight ago but last Saturday their campaign was almost spoilt by St. Joseph’s College, who also beat Trinity College in their previous outing.
Somehow after trailing right through the Rajans returned to snatch a thrilling 22-20 victory and also strengthened their call to win the Singer Schools Under-20 Division I ‘A’ Rugby Championship this year. They are just a win away from taking the Schools League title while Trinity College too stand a chance, depending on circumstances.
With their inspiring 37-25 win against archrivals Royal College, Trinity managed their number two place in the points table. Trinity also won the first leg of the Bradby Shield encounter with an advantage of 12 points and looked well set for their final match of the tournament against Isipathana. Meanwhile Wesley College added a draw to their tally after settling to a thrilling 8-all tie against Kingswood College, who have also shown great progress lately. Wesley slotted in at third in the points table followed by St. Peter’s College who suffered their fourth loss last Thursday against Isipathana College at 21-19. After the outcome of their match against Isipathana was reversed to a 20-all draw, Royal retained their position at fifth in the table.
Kingswood remains at sixth, leading the bottom half, after drawing against Wesley in the match played for the coveted Blaze Trophy.
Science College remains at seventh after their match against St. Anthony’s was rescheduled due to non-availability of referees at Nittawela last Sunday. Despite their gallant performance against table-toppers Dharmaraja, St. Joseph’s still stay at eighth place followed by St. Anthony’s at ninth. At the bottom of the table are defending champions Isipathana who could not advance further from the bottom.
In the Division I ‘B’ segment S. Thomas’ Mt. Lavinia remain unbeaten after eight games and are just a step away from coming back to the top group. The Thomians are one of the two sides in the competition to have won all their games with bonus points besides Division I ‘C’ leaders Piliyandala Central. Next to S. Thomas’ are D.S. Senanayake College, who also aim for a promotion, after recording six wins and a draw in eight games. In the Division I ‘C’ following Piliyandala Central are St. Benedict’s College with seven wins in eight games.
With the scheduled matches for the this weekend being held back due to rugby referees pulling out of the tournament, following spectator assaults, the Singer Schools Under-20 Championship has come to a sudden standstill. Yesterday five games, all decisive, were scheduled to be played but according to officials those games will most likely be played on Saturday, June 22, if parties come to an amicable settlement. Failing so, the final week matches of the tournament will not be played and this week’s standings will be considered as final. The matches to be played are Trinity vs. Isipathana at Pallekele, Dharmaraja vs. Royal at Royal Complex, St. Anthony’s vs. Kingswood at Bogambara, St. Joseph’s vs. Science at Mt. Lavinia and St. Peter’s vs. Wesley at Bambalapitiya. – NA
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