U-20 Rugby: S. Thomas' and Isipathana favourites to win League title as 2nd round kicks off

Eight schools have proceeded, to the second round of Division 1 of the Singer Schools Under-20 Rugby League Championship, to play for the cup championship. 

The schools are Isipathana, S. Thomas’, Science, Royal, Trinity, St. Peter's, Wesley and St. Anthony’s. At the end of first round, Isipathana and S. Thomas’ colleges topped their respective groups. 

Accordingly S. Thomas' are slotted to take on St. Anthony's while Royal will meet St. Peter's. Trinity is expected to face off Science in an game that could be a thriller while Wesley are on to take on potential title hunters Isipathana. 

The matches are scheduled to be played from May 27 subjected to confirmation of respective schools, who will decide on the venues and dates as well. 

Isipathana , dishing out superb brand of rugby, was at the forefront with planting 36 tries against their opponents. 

Their forwards with a fast breaking back row, throughout the season has displayed their prowess by winning the good ball from all opposing sides. 

The back-line of Isipathana, is the hall mark of their rugby, possessing set of fast running, nimble footed players who have repeatedly penetrated their opponents defence. 

Isipathana right now, is striving with determination to regain the lost league title after lapse of two years. 

The players to watch in the ‘Green shirt’ camp is Kushan Indunil, the skipper cum center, and his deputy plus co-center Sumudu Rankothge, the pair has made a lethal center combination in schools rugby this season. 

The wings Chamod Fernando and Ranidu Pramod are penetrative runners who set the pace. 

Out of the forwards –the number eight Vageesha Weerasinghe, and the two wing forwards: Devin Guneratne (The brother of last year skipper and the national player: Omalka Guneratne) and Sashmitha Fernando has been outstanding. 

On the whole Isipathana have a very balanced side in the season. 

The coaching combination of Nilfer Ibrahim, and Terrence Henry have paid dividend to the ‘Green Shirts’ to run riot this season. 

Meanwhile, S. Thomas’ after many years, posses a side that looks menacing. 

They too have a very good all round side, where the forwards and backs blend very well. 

The coaches – Thulagese Tavita or Laga, as he is fondly called, and Dinesh Kumar, has groomed a superb outfit. 

The skipper cum hooker Pandula de Silva has led the team from the front with his deputy cum prop Malinda Deshapriya backing him. 

The hall mark of this Thomian outfit is, having a threatening back division led by their star wing three Naveen Henakankanamge, the highest try scorer in schools top rugby division so far. 

And a special mention should be made of Thomian number eight Sachithra Jayathilake, who can ram through any opposing defence. 

Thomians are aiming for the league title after lapse of 16 years. 

They achieved the feat, last in year 2000, under the captaincy of Gavin Jayasekara. 

They won the league, but they lost the Milo Presidents trophy knock out final to Kingswood. 

The Isipathana – S.Thomas’ fixture in the last week of cup championship, is going to be a thriller on the cards, with both teams clashing on, to bring back lost prestige. 

Basically a game between heavy Thomian ‘eight’ against a quick footed Isipathana back-line. 

At the end, the result determine would pick itself the ultimate league champions.

Science College, a dark horse in the race with a single loss in the first round, have all the ingredients to upset the apple cart. 

The coaches Amila Chathuranga and Rajitha Lasantha has molded the team to a fighting outfit. 

A special mention should be made of their center combination, of skipper Nirosh Udayanga and his deputy Thanuja Maduranga, who has taken the limelight in their campaign this season. Their forwards too are quick to the breakdown point. 

In the second round they will face off stiff resistance from S. Thomas, Royal, Trinity and Wesley. 

The defending league champions, Royal College will try their utmost to retain the title, despite flaws in the first round. 

Royal under the leadership of Nikhila Gunadeera, playing in the pivotal position of number eight has guided the team through. 

Their most important game, was winning the first leg of the Bradby Shield, which was a league fixture. 

Royal should not depend too much on their forwards, and they need to expand their game with the back division, in the second round when they confront likes of Isipathana, Science and St. Peter's. 

Head coach Sanath Martis, one of the best in the school arena, will look into all possibilities in the second round. 

Meanwhile Trinity College, will strive hard to regain their lost prestige in the second round. 

Trinity with the new set of coach combination, Sean Mark Wijesinghe and Saliya Kumara, are out to give an improved performance. 

Though Trinity Posses a good set of forwards and a back-line, they lack in finish. 

With the return of Rahul Karunathilake to the saddle, they are out to perform better in the next four matches. 

The league title for Trinity has eluded for the last 29-years. 

They achieved the feat, last in year 1987, under Tyrell Jason Rajapakse. 

St. Peter's College, another team that did not performed, to their true potential so far in the season.

The Peterites, under Sandesh Jayawickrema will definitely make a difference in the next round, when confronting S. Thomas', Royal, Trinity and Wesley. 

Coach Colin Denish, will draw out plans how to make amends, for the lackluster performance in the first round. 

Petes, last won the league title in year 2010, under Keith Gurusinghe. 

Wesley College, is a fighting outfit.

They have all the ingredients, but lack the finish. 

Their matches against Trinity and Royal are good examples. 

They could have performed better, against the group leaders S. Thomas', but on that day, ground conditions favoured the Mt. Lavinia School. 

If it was not for heavy downpour on that day, the Wesley back-line could have worried their opponents defence many a time. 

Skipper Dayan Sabar, has led the team from the front. 

Coach Jeevan Gunathilake, will make the necessary changes to their game plan in the final round. 

Finally, St. Anthony’s College are very lucky to proceed to the second round. With two wins from the first round, they scraped in. 

In their final game of the group, against home town rivals Kingswood, they managed to squeezed through for selection. 

Expect Antonians, to put up a determined performance, in the second round when meeting S.Thomas, Royal, Trinity and Wesley. 

The seasoned coach ,Viper Gunerante (snr), is no mean coach, he will mold the Katugastota outfit, to give up some surprises in the final round. 

Other upcoming fixtures, for the Cup championship (dates subject to confirm by schools): 

Week of May 31 to June 6 
St. Peter's vs S. Thomas' / St. Anthony's vs Royal / Isipathana vs Trinity /Science vs. Wesley 

Week of June 7 to June 13 
S. Thomas' vs Science / Royal vs Isipathana / Trinity vs St. Anthony's / Wesley vs. St. Peter's 

Week of June 14 to June 20 
Isipathana vs S. Thomas' / Science vs Royal / St. Peter's vs. Trinity / St. Anthony's vs Wesley