Isipathana and S. Thomas’ in final showdown
The curtains of the Milo Under 18 All Island schools rugby tournament conducted by the Sri Lanka Schools Rugby Football Association and sponsored by Nestle Lanka Ltd will come down with the clash between Isipathana and S. Thomas’ with the kick off set for 5.00 p.m. at the Sugathadasa Stadium today.
The Pathanas led by Sumudu Rankothge in booking their berth to the final recorded wins against defending champions Science College Mt Lavinia and Dharmaraja College Kandy in the quarter and semi-final encounters while the Thoras led by Naveen Henakankanamge secured wins against St Anthony’s Katugastota and St Peter’s respectively.
The scale is in favour of Isipathana due to their robust and fast open rugby that they play but even then they cannot afford to take the Thomians lightly. Of course the margin of the wins of the two sides in the semi-final encounters against Dharmaraja and St Peter’s points out to be a closely contested game.
Isipathana Squad: Sumudu Rankothge (Capt), Chamod Fernando, Devin Gunaratne, Dileeka Hettiarachchi, Randy Silva, Sudeera Gayanath, Vikash Vimadawa, Dilshan Verkis, Ramash Premadasa, Nasran Nilamudeen, Guwan Jayamanna, Asmi Ahamed, Harith Bandara, Piyum Ediriweera, Manlika Ruberu, Nadeesha Chaminda, Supun Seneviratne, Pasindu Dissanayake, Chamath Kalhara, Vinoga Sabhanayake, Danu Prasath, Janith Serasinghe, Said Singhawansa. Nilfer Ibrahim (Coach), Anuraga Walpola (Asst Caoch), N. Dayan (Trainer), Sumeda Chanaka (Master in Charge).
With most of the players from both sides being aspirants and vying for places in the senior team in the future a close tussle could be expected. The Pathanas were much aggressive than the Thoras in the semi-final encounter but with both the teams vying for the plum the Thoras could pull off a surprise.
Prior to the Cup final three other finals are due to be plasyed beginning with the Shield game between Vidyartha and Thurstan at 2.00 p.m. This will be followed by the Bowl final between two schools from the hill capital Trinity and Kingswood and the Plate final between Wesley and Science.The chief guest will be Bandula Egodage, Assistant Vice President Corporate Affairs and Communication, Nestle Lanka PLC who are the sponsors of the tournament.
S. Thomas’ Squad: Shane Ingram, Abdul Cader, Adheesha Handunpathirana, Atheeq Kalim, Abitha Navaratne, Harith Senanayake, Dodampe Gamage, Christopher de Lile, Jaasn de Zoysa, Hans Walpola, Shanuka Chanuka, Lushantha Dabare, Naveen Henakankanamge (Capt), Dion Dias, Myown Jayawardena, Krishan Jayasekera, Shirantha Abeywickerama, Tharusha Eriyagama, Mohamed Ishak, Roshan de Silva, Sithija Abeysekera, Aaron Ferdinando, Shehan Rajapakse. Lakmal de Zoysa (Rugby Co-ordinater), Niroshala Manuel (Teacher in Charge), Jivan Goonetilleke (Head Coach), Jayan Goonetilleke (U18 Coach), Dinesh Kumara (Trainer), Dhanushka Boteju (Forwards Coach), Krishan Wettasinghe (Backs Coach).
Results:
Quarter Finals:
Shield – Veluwana MV beat Thurstan 22-15. Royal Panadura beat St John’s Panadura 22-10. Vidyaloka MV Galle received a walk over from St Thomas’ Bandarawela. Vidyaloka MV Galle received a walk over from Talduwa MV.
Bowl – DSS beat Ananda 8-5. Piliyandala Central beat Prince of Wales 7-5. Trinity beat St Joseph’s 20-13. Kingswood beat Lalith Athulathmudali MV 15-8.
Cup – Isipathana beat Science 14-0. Dharmaraja beat Mahanama Colombo 34-0. S. Thomas’ beat St Anthony’s 19-11. St Peter’s beat Wesley 11-5.
Semi Finals:
Shield – Vidyartha beat Royal Panadura 38-7. Thurstan beat Vidyaloka MV Galle 40-7.
Bowl – Trinity beat DSS 31-13. Kingswood beat Piliyandala Central 38-7.
Plate – Science beat Mahanama Colombo 17-0. Wesley beat St Anthony’s Katugastota 26-0.
Cup – Isipathana beat Dharmaraja 20-14. S. Thomas’ beat St Peter’s 15-3.