This time its Joes who hold the key
When the Josephians take the field today for their last championship game against Isipathana, the first name could find that their goose has already been cooked. Josephian hopes, though slight, depend on the Peterites beating the all powerful Royal side who are currently running hot. Whistling in the dark? quite possibly.
Statistics don’t lie. Nilfer Ibrahim’s boys have seven wins and occupy the second slot. Their only defeat was against Royal, and that, too, by a matter of five points. The Peterite statistics are similar, at the time of writing, but it could well be that they would have got their come uppance on Saturday.
Sameesha Virangana’s team has shown a lot of flair and, at times, even brilliance. In last week’s Peterite match another aspect of their play came into prominence. Reduced to 14 players by the Red Card given to Tharindu de Alwis (one of their best players), the Joes fought like terriers for the better part of the match to defeat St. Peter’s. They showed time grit in the face of adversity.
The Maradana lads play an attractive brand of rugby. They run the ball at every possible opportunity and set the pulse racing, especially when centre Gemunu Chetiya and winger Shan Akila operate in tandem. Chetiya is one of the leading try-scores and could produce another dazzling display. Winger Tharindu Maduranga has been very adept at putting the finishing touches. He, too, as gone over many times. Though not scoring many tries himself, skipper Virangana has directed operations well and has provided good leadership.
The loss of number eight Tharindu de Alwis could prove a crucial blow. However, the Joes have lived with that already. Others in the pack such as prop Shevon Gregory, locks Nimesh Kavinda, Cheka Jayawardena, and Flanker Shehan Kelaniyagoda will have to put in a little extra effort to make good the lack.
The Joes are a settled side and moreover a confident one. Isipathana, their opponents, could still be trying to get over the trauma of that 41-7 thrashing by Royal.
In the past, the green-shirts have produced some wonderful players and some astonishing rugby. This seems to be a team in transition and their supporter’s limits may be tested. The good thing is that most of the players are young and will be available for at least two more seasons. The skipper Manilka Rubene is a case in point.
Five wins, two losses and a draw against Trinity. That’s Isipathana’s record for the season. One of the wins was a very unconvincing 25-24 one over D.S., but that was for starters. They fought hard against Kingswood and first about survived (10-5) due, in the main, to the skipper’s excellence in the closing stages.
One of last year’s successes, Nadeesh Chaminda, the winger, has fallen on lean times. His replacement, Asanka Gunatilleka got that vital try against Kingswood. Seven half C.T. Kalhara is a busy player who likes to try different things. But there’s no doubt about his commitment. Lock Manoj Gautham, who got their solitary try against Royal, is an important player.
Vice Captain Hisran Nilamudeen, a flanker plays it hard and is not easily put down. The back division has some talent. Manilka Ruberu is a known entity. Others such as Kamesh Gimhan, Manula Ratnayake and Ramitha Himash show promise.
Remaining up, the Joes should come out on top because of their experience. The fact that they beat these same opponents in the knock-out final last season will beat the back of their minds.