A word of caution — Isipathana should not underestimate this opposition
Wesley's performance this season has been outstanding
The Isipathana – Wesley rugby encounter, in the Cup championship round of the Singer Schools Uner-20 League,will be worked out tomorrow at the Royal College Sports Complex. Kick off is at 4.15pm. The encounter is expected to produce sparkling rugby. However the unbeaten ‘Green Shirts’ with their present form go as favourites. At the same time, the determined never-say-die ‘Double Blue’ outfit are also capable of springing some surprises. Isipathana, so far are enjoying a superb season, and are the top dogs in their segment. In the first round they beat all their opponents — Dharmaraja, St. Anthony’s, St.Peter’s, Kingswood and Science. They are on course to bag the league title after lapse after two years.
The Havelock Park forwards certainly have the edge over their counterparts and their mobility is the key. The back row forwards in Vageesha Weerasinghe, Devin Gunaratne and Sashmitha Fernando have been in thick of things and are expected to rev-up with the whistle. The Isipathana three quarters are lethal and nimble footed. They posses set of hard running players who can pierce any defence. Skipper Kushan Indunil and deputy skipper Sumudu Rankothge, plays as the centers, and have been deadly. They play with a lot of understanding. The other players such as Chamod Fernando, Ranidu Pramod, Randy Silva and Dileeka Hettiarachchi can too cause problems when they join the rumble.
Isipathana, this season don’t have individual brilliant players, but as a unit they are as good as it gets. According to head coach Nilfer Ibrahim,”despite losing 11 players from last year side, Isipathana has performed very well so far. We know the strength and weakness of the Wesley side. We will proceed with our game plan on the day. Wesley have good set of forwards and three quarters. We will not take them lightly”.
Wesley on the other hand will be looking to come up with an improved performance. In the first round, they finished in the fourth place. They beat St. Joesph’s and D.S. Senanayake.
They were very unlucky to lose to Trinity and Royal while against S. Thomas’, they did well in a losing battle. The ‘Double Blues’ posses a good set of forwards and a three-quarter line. The forwards led by skipper Zayan Sabar have led the team from the front. Their forwards such as Asanka Hashan, Imesh Chathuranga, Kavindu Sankalpa, Vishwa Wettasinghe and Sashika Ashan are good in defence and attack as well. They can cause a problem to Isipathana ‘eight’ in loose play if they could get a hold in the game. The back line too posses some good players who can pierce any opposing defence. Avishka Lee, deputy skipper Dennister Goonathilake, Asantha Hashan, Dineru Ranaweera, Avantha Hashan and Omar Kuthubdeen are hard runners.