Red hot all star rugby next Saturday
View(s):The third annual ThePapare All Star Rugby Encounter 2014 between the Colombo Blues and Kandy Reds will be held at the Racecourse ground in Colombo next Saturday. The kickoff time is set at 4.30pm for the clash of the two combined school teams from rugby strongholds of Colombo and Kandy. The announcement on the showdown of the most two powerful sides in schools rugby was made at the Dialog Arcade at Darley Road last Wednesday.
Kandy skipper Tharinda Ratwatte with his Colombo counterpart Shenal Deelaka with the trophy on offer
The Colombo Blues will be captained by Shenal Deelaka, the skipper of Isipathana College who emerged triple champions of the 2014 school rugby season. The Kandy Reds is led by Tharinda Ratwatte, the dynamic flyhalf and skipper of Trinity College, who finished as runners-up in the Singer Schools League Championship and emerged victorious at the Bradby Shield encounter against Royal College.
Isipathana coach Nilfer Ibrahim and Royal coach Sanath Martis will shape up the Colombo team while the Kandy side will come under the purview of Ananda Kasturiarachchi and Priyantha Gunaratne. ThePapare All Star Rugby Encounter 2014 organised by www.thepapare.com is sponsored by Dialog Axiata.
“We were quite pleased to help when thepapare website came to us with this idea of hosting this match, which we thought was essential, given the fact that this will be the best onset for the Youth Asiad. The SLSRFA is responsible for appointing coaches, player selection and conducting practices. This is a great opportunity for all the players to show their talents in playing at different positions from their usual at school so that they will be ready for national duty well equipped.” Susantha Mendis, the Secretary of Sri Lanka Schools Rugby Football Association said.
Selection trials are underway both in Colombo and Kandy and according to Ranjith Chandrasekara, the President of Sri Lanka Schools Rugby Football Association; two of the elite schools have taken up the task to host the teams in both cities.
“Royal College will be responsible for the Colombo Blues and Trinity College will take charge of the Kandy Reds. Both these schools have all the facilities and both principals as well as old boys of both schools have pledged their support for this cause,” he stated
The star-studded event which takes place for the third time will be held after a lapse of two years. In addition the winner of the Most Popular Schools Rugby Player 2014, a poll run by thePapare.com during the school rugby season voted for by the fans, will be awarded soon after the match. – NA