Peterites aiming League repeat as title holders Isipathana seek revenge
Naveen Kanishka – Isipathana captain
It will be an interesting tussle as the two teams will come into the field aiming to fulfil their aims with St. Peter’s, led by flanker Ashain Madugasge, looking forward for a repeat of the league title clash which they came out victorious. On the other hand Isipathana, led by fly half Naveen Kansihka will be seeking revenge for the league defeat, with the intention of retaining the title for yet another year.
The Peterites aka ‘Bamba Brigade’, who are also aiming for a double win, will for sure will leave no stones unturned and it will be left to be seen whether they could make a repeat. Undoubtly, the Isipathanians aka the Green Machine, too will come into the game with a different game plan having confronted their opponents earlier.
Ashain Madigasge – St. Peter’s captain
Looking back at the two semi-finals, the two teams confronted St. Joseph’s College and Zahira College. The Peterites underwent some anxious moments as they came back after conceding the lead to their arch rivals to pull off a close 16-11 win and Isipathana, on the other hand, had an easy passage after they recorded a crushing 39-10 victory against Zahira.
Another factor is that the two teams will be meeting in a knockout encounter for the second time after seven years. The last time they took on each other was in the 2016 semi-final encounter, where Isipathana prevailed by a close 24-20 win.
Looking at the strength and capabilities of the two teams St. Peter’s skipper Madugasge has a host of players in the likes of centre Yumeth Ishara, fullback Kushan Tharindu, No.8 Dulaj Navodya and prop forward Sadew Gamage to name a few.
On the other hand Isipathana skipper Kanishka along with winger Rinesh Silva, the highest individual points scorer of the League tournament are the two picks of the side. They will be banking on players in the calibre of centre Shahid Zumri, prop forward Kenula Hettiarachchi, No.8 Nisaja Jayaweera, Hashen Randimal and scrum half Shehadu de Costa.
The Peterites are seeking their eighth knockout title with the last being in 2019, while Isipathana are seeking their 12th knockout title since they first won it way back in 1985. Apart from that they have ended as runners-up 13 occasions.
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