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Sunday Dec 15, 2024
Friday, 29 March 2019 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
By Shamseer Jaleel
When Joes meet Isipathana in week 5 of the Singer League 2019, all Colombo spectators are expected to fill up to capacity at the CR & FC grounds in Longdon Place.
Joes played cohesive rugby this season under their skipper Tharindu De Alwis, who led the team magnificently. He was well supported with the best school combination of scrum half and fly-half. Roshen Goonawardena the nippy scrum-half being the best in schools well supported by Santhush Algama, a class above the rest of the players this season among schools. His kicking ability and accuracy being outstanding, allowed them to get the maximum advantage to attack from opposition half. They are blessed with the one of the best coaching staff in the country, former Kingswoodian Nilfer Ibrahim.
Isipathana too remained unbeaten so far in their 4 games so far. But their consistency is far from good. Their wins against Zahira and Trinity was not so colourful. In the Trinity game they lost out on 3 of their senior players with injuries. Last year’s skipper, Ruberu, is a star who could turn things around. On form, Joes should continue with the winning streak.
Trinity to end on number 4 in group
Trinity College will be playing their last group encounter in round 1 at Pallekele when they host Science College. Trinity possess the much better forwards and fitness, and are expected to pull it off and maintain their number 3 in their group. Science three-quarters are threatening, but Trinity could spoil them.
Trinity are led by Reshan Bandaranayake, while Geeshapa Kulatunge and Amith Kulatunge stood up for them this season. Trinity is expected to make some changes in their starting line-up for this game.
Kingswood and Zahira hold the edge
Both Kingswood and Zahira hold the edge in their encounters against Maliyadeva and St Anthony’s respectively. Both Kingswood and Zahira, though they win, will need to end up playing in the Plate.
Close battle between Wesley and Thomians
Both Thomians and Wesley will be battling it out in a close encounter which could go either way. Wesley showed a lot of promise, almost knocking Royal off while Thomians showed their forwards’ strength through some powerful play against the Peterites in their first game, winning by a single point. Wesley will be mindful to avoid number 5 position, as Kingswood will have an easy outing against Maliyadeva.
Royal hold the edge
Royal College are all out to maintain their unbeaten record plus group lead, when they confront the Peterites, who lost out only to Thomians.
But Royal remained unbeaten although Wesley almost beat them in a close encounter, where the difference between the two sides was a try.
On form, Royal hold the edge.
March 30
Nittawela
Referee: Kelum Sandaruwan
Pallekele
Referee: Gihan Yatawara
Maradana
Referee: Priya Suranga
Bambalapitiya
Referee: Praneeth Weeranga
Longdon Place
Referee: Rohan Fernando
Mount Lavinia
Referee: Ishanka Abeykoon
