Reviving is over; now full throttle with all force
Last week Science stunned St. Peter's with a stunning win - File pic
Definitely the schools’ rugby season for 2016 is hotting up. In the two weeks of rugby the results have been interesting, and it all points out to a enthralling season as the season goes on. In the segment 1A group, three schools, Royal, S. Thomas’ and Trinity are the teams to watch. Royal hosted Thomians at the Royal Sports Complex yesterday for their annual Michael Gunaratne trophy encounter. Royal College, led by hard working number eight Nikhila Gunadeera, won their lung opener against D.S.Senanayake College by 36 points to 10. In their next game, they were very lucky to escape from jaws of defeat against Wesley. They scraped through to record a 17 points to 14 win.
Their next game prior to the Bradby Shield first leg , will be against St. Joseph’s at CR and FC on April 23. S. Thomas’ College, putting up a well balanced XV this season, is a team to watch. They have a heavy set of forwards, with a pack weight of over 800 kilos and they have the mobility as well. They are led this season by hooker Pandula Silva. Their back line too posses speed. A special mention should be made of explosive centers Naveen Henakanamge and Ashvantha Herath. Thomians, opened up their lung opener against the Joes with a fine 32 points 3 win and next against the minnows D.S.Senanayake 40 points to 6.They are strong contenders for the league title.
Thomians will play Trinity in their next game at Pallekale on April 23. Another close encounter on the cards. Trinity College led by second row forward Rahul Karunathilake, on the other hand, in their first game of the season had a narrow escape, and survived to defeat a strong Wesley XV by 7 points to 5. In their second game, they put up a very strong performance to beat St. Joseph’s by 40 points to 14. And tomorrow, they will come to Colombo for the first time, to meet the minnows D.S.Senanayake at CR and FC. Trinity’s intentions are very clear this season, to regain the Bradby shield after lapse of two years. Of the other three teams in the group, Wesley, St. Joseph’s and D.S.Senanayake, the most promising team is Wesley. Though they lost all the two matches, played in the season so far, they were closed ones. Wesley put up a gallant show against Trinity and Royal.
Today Wesley will host St. Joseph’s at CR and FC. Wesley College needs to put their act together. They posse’s a well balanced side but lack the finish. St.Joseph’s and D.S.Senanyake need to put up an improved performance in their remaining group fixtures. In the Segment 1B, Isipathana College has taken a clear lead followed up by Science College. The ‘Green Shirts’ are on a high. Their main aim is, to regain the lost league title back. Their mobile set of forwards and nimble footed back line, play as a unit and will definitely threaten their opponents in weeks to come.
Isipathana, opened up their season campaign in a style, by defeating Dharmaraja 61 points to 15. In their second encounter, up in Nittawela , defeated St. Anthony’s by 43 points to 17.
Today they will be hosting Kingswood at Havelock Park. Isipathana is sure to record, their third straight win in style. On April 23, Isipathana will take on St.Peters at Havelock Park. Meanwhile Science College, has played some eye catching rugby so far, and have won their two fixtures. They beat St. Anthony’s College 40 points to 28 in the lung opener. But the most memorable win was, coming from behind to beat St. Peters College at Royal College Sports Complex by 13 points to 10. In most of the game, they were trailing 0-10. Science played Dharmaraja College at the Air Force grounds yesterday. On April 23, Science will play for the first time in Kandy at Bogambara against Kingswood.
St. Peters College, though won the initial game against Kingswood by 35 to 18 had a rude shock in the next week, when they were beaten by Science in the dying minutes of the game. Yesterday, St. Peters they hosted by St. Anthony’s at Nittwela. The other three schools in this group, all three Kandy schools, Dharmaraja, St. Anthony’s and Kingswood need to put their act together in coming weeks. An improved performance is needed from them. Finally, this season in each week, school rugby is going to get hotter and hotter. - NK