Two more games each left for schools in the Cup segment and Isipathana and S. Thomas’ remain unbeaten, will there be a twist? Here is a look at what’s to come in week 8.
Isipathana College vs Royal College
Date: 11th June 2016
Venue : CR & FC
Kick off : 4.30 p.m.
These two teams played the final last year where Royal won 21 – 08 at Reid Avenue. Both teams know each other’s strengths and weaknesses very well. Royal will be looking to keep a high percentage of ball possession. In the previous weeks they played more than 10 phases inside their own half, hoping the opposition would make a mistake at the breakdown so that Half back Ashok Wijekumar or Full back Ovin Askey could put the territorial kick into touch and to use their trump card – the driving maul, in opposition half.
Watch Live: Isipathana vs Royal
Unsurprisingly, of the 26 tries Royal has scored, 12 have come through the hookers; Fajudeen 3, Reeza 4, Barrie 5. This seems to be the trend at Royal where Supun Warnakulasuriya scored 16 for them last season. Although they had a few issues with the lineouts in the last encounter at Bogambara, they managed to make a comeback.
Isipathana on the other hand has the best center combination, with their skipper Kushan Idunil and Sumudu Rankothge running riot against oppositions. The wingers Ranidu Padmasanka and Chamodh Fernando are two key players and having Gayan Wickramaratne at Full back is pretty much the cherry on top for the ‘Green Machine’. Their forwards were excellent in the recent two games, especially Prop Ekanayake, Lock Vishwajith, the big man, and the loose forwards Adeesha and Wageesha. The game will depend on how they manipulate the Royal attack and how many turnovers in the breakdown they will win.
Referee Dinka Peiris will be in charge of this game. Interestingly, previously he has refereed 3 games each for Royal and Isipathana this season with Royal and Isipathana going on to win all those games. However, unless it’s another draw, one team is going to lose and perhaps the refereeing will be questioned?
Ones to watch
IC – Sumudu Rankothge – Center (watch out for his running angles, ball carrying and working skills)
RC – Ashok Wijekumar – Half back (ThePapare player of the match in the last 2 games that Royal played, his game management is top notch)
Top try scorers
IC – Chamodh Fernando 6 (wing), Sumudu Rankothge 6 (center)
RC – Ebrahim Barrie 5 (hooker)
Top points scorers
IC – Gayan Wickramarathne 53 (4T 15 C 1P) full back
RC – Ovin Askey 39 (15C 3P) full back
Science College vs S. Thomas’ College
Date: 11th June 2016
Venue: Air Force Grounds
Kick off: 4.30 p.m.
The Mount Lavinia Derby
Ever since Science came into the A division in 2011, S. Thomas’ has never beaten their Mount neighbors, perhaps this could be the year to make history, being undefeated so far in this season. Thomians have a quality unit and some match winners in their ranks. Although Naveen Heenakankanamge could not score in the last game vs St. Peter’s, he is still the main weapon for the ‘School by the Sea’. Ashwantha Herath has been improving week by week and he scored 32 points in the last two games. He is now just a few points behind the highest points scorer Samuel Madhuwantha of St. Anthony’s College.
Watch Live: Science v S. Thomas’
The big Thomian forwards will definitely create trouble for the opposition; Tehan Perera, Wayne Mack and Skipper Pandula De Silva have gelled really well in the tight five. De Lile also played well in the last game especially in the breakdown, he was so quick on his feet. Science have a quality medicine in the name of Janith Laksara, the flanker who will be their ace player. He has that animal instinct and the ‘never say die’ attitude. However, unless Science produce a team performance they will find this game hard. The Maduranga brothers have not been consistent for the hosts but they need more possession to play to their strengths.
Last year’s score – STC 17 – 26 SC
Ones to watch
SC – Hashan Madumadawa – Half back (he is fast and a clever thinker. He is especially good with his box kicks)
STC – Mayon Jayawardene (He is rock solid in attack and defense, him getting the ball leads STC to score through him or Naveen at the wing)
Top try scorers
SC – Tharindu Maduranga 6 (wing)
STC – Naveen Heenakankanamge 9 (wing)
Top points scorers
SC – Thanuja Maduranga 47 (1T 9C 8P) center
STC – Ashwantha Herath 70 (4T 19C 4P) center
St. Peter’s College vs Wesley College
Date: 11th June 2016
Venue: St. Peter’s Grounds
Kick off: 4.30 p.m.
Wesley have been the unluckiest team this season after they lost three close games which they could have won. They lost to Trinity by 2, Royal by 3 and Science by 4 but suffered a heavy defeat against Isipathana. This team cannot be underestimated; they have nothing to lose and they are going to come back hard for a thrilling game. Zayan Sabar, the Wesley skipper, has led his team well despite a few injury worries to his double blues. Avishka Lee who missed out on the last game due to an injury is back and he might start at either 9 or the wing.
Watch Live: St. Peter’s v Wesley
The Peterites might play a forward oriented game although their strength is with the backs. They are in sixth place in the points table and it is due to them not exploiting their attacking pattern. Ravin Yapa needs consistency with his lineout throws and Rahal Delpachitra, the big man, has to give 110% for them to thrive in attack. Diyath Fernando has been shifting positions and perhaps is the right choice at full back where he gets more space to run with the ball and then show off his dazzling footwork.
Last year’s score: SPC 45 – 22 WC
Ones to watch
SPC – Theekshana Heshan – Center (has so much potential and it is an opportunity for him to showcase his talent; it’s now or never for him this season)
WC – Avantha Lee – (good with his handling, stepping and chip chase; he has to put his opposite number under pressure if Wesley are to succeed)
Top try scorers
SPC – Theeshana Heshan 6
WC – Avishka Lee 3, Avantha Lee 3
Top points scorers
SPC – Steffan Sivaraj 43 (2T 9C 5P)
WC – Avishka Lee 36 (3T 9C 1P)
Trinity College vs St. Anthony’s College
Date: 11th June 2016
Venue: Pallekele
Kick off: 4.15 p.m.
When Kandy schools play each other it is always a grudge battle. Both these teams must be absolutely gutted after failing to win last week. The Eagles did so well against Royal and Trinity and were leading at one point over Isipathana, but this is a new day, a new game and it is all about who plays the best rugby on the day.
Samuel Maduwantha, the leading points scorer, will be key to this game with his kicking at the uprights. He has been an outstanding figure this season, but he lacks support from Jehan Seelagama and Dinuk Amarasinghe, the Center combo. Mohamed Shabeer was brilliant in the lineouts last week as he stole three against Royal, he has another challenge this week as he comes up against Trinity skipper Rahul Karunathilake.
Shalindra Alahakoon is also in fine form at No8 and he adds that finishing touch with his ball carrying ability. Trinity played a better running game last week comparing to the previous seven weeks, they just need to exploit it to get some winning momentum this season. They still have the chance to finish third in the league like last year.
Last year’s score: SACK 13 – 49 TCK
Ones to watch
TCK – Nathan Yee – Hooker (a good work rate on the field but his lineout throws have to be spot on unlike last week)
SACK – Mohamed Shabeer – Lock (the more lineouts he steals, the more of a chance SACK have to win)
Top try scorers
TCK – Shalindra Alahakoon 4, Dinuska Dange 4
SACK – Mohamed Shabeer 3, Dinuk Amarasinghe 3
Top points scorers
TCK – Lashane Wijesuriya 21 (6C 3P)
SACK – Samuel Maduwantha 74 (1T 9C 17P)
