Michael Gunarathne Trophy
Royal v S.Thomas’ 09.04.2016 KO: 4.30pm @Royal Complex
All eyes will be on the Royal Sports Complex as the rivalries continue for the prestigious Royal-Thomian trophy game. The 53rd encounter will bring all the excitement as S.Thomas’ go in as slight favourites tag especially after winning the all island sevens tournament in January and putting in two convincing performances so far this season. However, the defending champions Royal have all the firepower to continue their unbeaten run.
This trophy game was initially played in 1962 and was only missed in the year 1979. Royal has won it 31 times to S. Thomas’ 17 and 5 games have been drawn. Last year we saw the Thomians being beaten with a record margin 52 – 00 breaking the record of 39 – 03 from 2002.
Nikhila Gunadeera’s Royal team kicked off the season beating D.S. Senanayake College 36 – 10 and had a near nightmare against Wesley College in the second week, as they secured a nail biting 17 – 14 win. Panula De Silva’s S. Thomas’ beat St. Joseph’s 32 – 03 and D.S. Senanayake 40 -06 in the respective weeks.
So far in this season
RC tries – 08
RC top try scorer – Mahima Gamage 2 (wing)
RC top points scorer – Ovin Askey 13 (5C, 1P) – (Fly Half)
STC tries – 11
STC top try scorer – Naveen Heenakankanamge 3 (wing), Mayon Jayawardene 3 (full back)
STC top points scorer – Ashwantha Herath 22 (1T, 7C, 1P) – (Center)
Thomians having a strong unit in the backs comparing to Royal. Some extra weight among the forwards is another key factor. However, Royal has been great in terms decision making and is a team that plays the 80 minutes with composure.
The Rector’s Trophy
St. Anthony’s v St. Peter’s 09.04.2016 KO: 4.15pm @Nittawela
The Rector’s trophy was presented in memory of the Rectors who served the two schools, the Very Rev. Fr. Joe E. Wickramasinghe who was Rector of St. Peter’s from 1978 to 1992 and Rev. Fr Dom. Aidan de Silva who was the Rector of St Anthony’s from 1967 to 1978.
St. Peter’s faced a disappointing loss last week while the Antonian Eagles on the other hand lost 2 out of two. Pasindu Dulshan the Eagles captain has the chance to impress the home crowd but the Peterites have the advantage in terms of experience.
St. Peter’s have dominated the last decade although a few close games took place in the 90’s including 8 draws.
So far in this season
SACK tries – 5
SACK top try scorer – Mohamed Shabeer 2 (lock)
SACK top points scorer – Samuel Maduwantha 28 (1T, 4C, 5P) – (Fly Half)
SPC tries – 7
STC top try scorer – Theekshana Heshan 5 (Center)
STC top points scorer – Theekshana Heshan 25
Science v Dharmaraja 09.04.2016 KO: 4.30pm @Air Force ground
Science showed great temperament to make one of the best comebacks after trailing 10 – 00 at half time last week. They are playing some fine running rugby at the moment never hesitant to run even inside their 22m. The Rajans secured a solid win over their arch rivals Kingswood with a 24 – 17 score line last week. It could be an even-steven game as both teams do play in a similar fashion. The Maduranga brothers will be a key for Science whilst big prop Romesh Ananda Raja will drive the Rajans pack.
So far this season
SC tries – 6
SC top try scorer – Tharindu Maduranga 2 (wing)
SC top points scorer – Thanuja Maduranga 21 (3C, 5P) – (Fly Half/Center)
DRCK – 6
DRCK top try scorer – six different try scorers
DRCK top points scorer – six different points scorers
Isipathana v Kingswood 10.04.2016 KO: 4.30pm @Royal Complex
The Green machine has showcased some fine performance so far even after missing almost 12 players from last season, playing with a loads of confidence and fine running football. Kingswood are in a spot of bother after two losses and they will have the underdog tag this Sunday. If they can pull a rabbit out of a hat it would brilliant but Isipathana perhaps would be favourites judging from the last two games.
So far this season
IC tries – 17
IC top try scorer – Chamodh Fernando 3 (wing), Sumudu Rankothge 3 (center)
IC top points scorer – Gayan Wickramarathne 18 (2T, 4C)
KCK – 6
KCK top try scorer – Shenesh Kavishka 2 (No 8)
KCK top points scorer – Shivantha Ranaweera 10 (1T,1C,1DG) – (fly half)
St. Joseph’s v Wesley 10.04.2016 KO:4.30pm @CR&FC
Both teams are seeking a win but Wesley did better in their last two games than the Joes. The double blues lost 5-7 to Trinity and 14 – 17 to Royal. The Joes’ margins have been higher as they lost 03 – 32 against S. Thomas’ and 14 – 40 against Trinity.
But the question is whether the previous stats matter for the Joes? Joes weakness is that they are not strong in the breakdowns while Wesley run too much on the lateral path. Having said that it will be a cliffhanger this Sunday. The set pieces will play a vital part for both the teams, with Wesley looking suspect in the kicking between the uprights.
So far this season
SJC tries – 2
SJC top try scorer – Supun Appuhamy 1 (prop)
SJC top points scorer – Chathura Senavirathne 10 (1T, 1C, 1P)
WC – 3
WC top try scorer – Zayan Sabar 1 (Prop)
WC top points scorer – Avantha Lee (1T, 1C) (Center)
D.S. Senanayake v Trinity 11.04.2016 KO:4.30 @CR&FC
One close win in the first week and a convincing win in week two has given some hope for the Trinitians. Perhaps the game against the Dons will give them some more confidence. Trinity will have only this game and the first leg of the Bradby away with the rest of the games being played at the Lion’s Den at Pallekele. What D.S. should be looking at is perhaps not to allow the Trinitians to get too many points on the board. They were good in the second half against the Thomians last week as they conceded just a try. However, it is a new day and a new challenge for the Dons.
So far this season
DS tries – 1
DS top try scorer – Ruchira Weerakoon 1 (center)
DS top points scorer – Ashraff Muzmi 1 (1C, 3P) – (Fly Half/Center)
TCK – 7
TCK top try scorer – seven players a try each
TCK top points scorer – Thusila Perera 8 (4C) – (fly half)
