Hello Everyone! After a well-deserved break, the schools season is on the cusp of roaring back to life. The eagerly awaited second round commences next week with a host of block-buster games. In this article, I share my thoughts on the teams that have progressed to this stage, and consider their credentials in mounting a challenge for the ultimate prize.
But first, mention should be made of St. Anthony’s, who sadly failed to meet the cut. I was at the SACK v Royal game a few weeks back. A huge game for the Antonians in terms of the permutations involved for them to stay up. They had to beat Royal with a bonus point, and 
then rely on their hometown neighbours Dharmaraja upstaging St. Peter’s. As it turned out, Dharmarajah kept to their end of the bargain. They put in a stupendous performance to blow the fancied Peterites off the park at Nittawela. Unfortunately, the Antonians came up short at Reid Avenue. St. Anthony’s to their credit scored five tries. The issue is that they allowed Royal to cross the line seven times, despite bossing the game till the last quarter of the match. In the end, they lost 48-35 which sealed their fate. It’s unfortunate given that they have some outstanding individual players. Captain Dinuk Amerasinghe is a strong ball carrying Centre. When put in to space he is almost impossible to bring down. Centre Seelagama is another very gifted player with a lot of guile and a decent boot on him. Everyone knows what Samuel Maduwantha can do. But in big games, when it mattered the most, Maduwantha failed to deliver. What proved to be their Achilles heel was their defense. They simply had no defensive structure in place, which let teams like Isipathana, and Royal run amok. In the end, the points table shows they conceded 194 points – exceeded only by last placed D.S Senanayake in their group. An unpleasant grind in the ‘Plate’ now awaits them, though you would expect then to win that and be back with the big boys next year again.
Let’s now look at the eight teams that remain the equation for Cup honours.
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Trinity College
In my estimation, the most complete team in schools’ rugby today. I would argue that they’re probably the best Trinity team since the new millennium. They have scored a total of 44 tries in total – 9 more than Isipathana, despite Pathana playing one extra game. They have also conceded only 80 points, the least amongst all. That pretty much tells you the story. Diluksha Dange has been in red hot form. With the likes of Woran Weerakoon, Sakalasooriya, and Lashan Wijesuriya they can hurt you from anywhere. Deputy skipper Anuka Boyagoda is the leader of the orchestra. His decision making has been key in terms of when to keep it with the forwards, and when to release his backline. But for me, the most impressive aspect of this team is their front row – namely their two props, Shaveen Ekanayake, and Aveesha Priyankara. They have been an absolute joy to watch, both, at the set pieces, as well as with ball in hand.
Considering that that they will be playing the likes of Isipathana, St. Joseph’s, and Royal (also doubles up as Bradby 1st leg) on their home patch at Pallakelle, I would have to rate them as clear favourites to win the league this year.
Isipathana College
Prior to the commencement of the season, no one really gave Isipathana much of a chance. This year was seen as the beginning of a rebuilding phase given their all-conquering heroics of last year. However, under the tutelage of young Lasintha De Costa, the Green Machine has stayed true to their ‘never say die’ reputation. Beating St. Joseph’s earlier in the first round gave them a lot of confidence. Sadly, they had an off day against the Petes when they lost at Bambalapitiya. That surprised everyone. But they were quick to get back on the horse by beating Royal College in a classic at Reid Avenue to gain top spot in Group 1A.
Captain Sumudu Rankothge has not quite been his best, but Full Back Chamodh Fernando has been flying. Another critical part of the Pathana success story has been their little Half Back Harith Bandara. In terms of providing service at the base, there is none better than him in this competition.
Where they do struggle a bit is with their forwards where they’re a bit light. The bigger teams will look to exploit this.
Royal College
There’s a lot of chopping and changing, which is bound to impact the fluency on the field. They have also been guilty of giving away some soft tries, down to pure miscommunication and error – particularly amongst the back three. This proved to be the difference against Isipathana, and also made life increasingly difficult for themselves against the Antonians. But what no one can question is their resolve. This they have in abundance. They did ever so well to beat a good St. Joseph’s team in their opening game, and then went on to grind out the Peterites away from home. Playing in the cauldron that is Nittawela against Dharmaraja, they did just enough to win there as well.
Losing only to Isipathana, they finish second in their group. Stern tests await them, commencing with a tricky trip to Mount Lavinia to take on traditional rivals S.Thomas’. Hooker Hamsa Reeza has been immense at the breakdown, and Winger Sabith Feroze has proved elusive out wide. It’ll be interesting to see if they have enough left in the tank to win their remaining games. Undoubtedly, they will have their sights firmly set on the Bradby as well.
Wesley College
After being taken apart by Trinity in their first game, the lads from Campbell Park did ever so well to overcome the fancied S.Thomas’, and the likes of Zahira to finish in second spot in group 1B. However, they traveled to Kandy to play Kingswood in their traditional L.E Blaze encounter and came off second best. That would be somewhat demoralizing given that 
Kingswood are in the second division. They play a high riding St. Joseph’s in their opening second round game. A game where they will have to be at their best if they seek a win.
In number 8 Ashan Fernando, and the Lee brothers, the double blues have some great attacking talent. The biggest area of concern is their defense, where they have leaked 132 points over the first round. To add to their woes, they shipped five tries to Kingswood over the weekend as well.
St. Joseph’s College
It took a while for this Joes outfit to get going. They were just not clicking in their opening games, which saw them come up short against Royal and Pathana. But since then, Nilufer Ibrahim’s charges have got it together. Their showing against St. Peter’s, though far from perfect, showed us a few glimpses of what they’re capable of. Gemunu Chethiya, has been their standout back along with Skipper Vinul Fernando. Special mention must also be made of their Number Eight Gihan Perera.
This team has strength in depth. No doubt their confidence is high, and they will back themselves against any team in the league. How they must rue those first two defeats. First up is Wesley, and they will be quietly confident of getting over the side that sent them into the ‘Plate last year. Once they play to a plan as a collective, they look extremely good.
S.Thomas’ College
It’s been a strange season so far for last year’s Runners-up. There was much promise early on when the beat Zahira College away at Maradana. But since, Naveen Henakankaanamge and his boys haven’t quite lived up to expectations. They lost the Sir Oliver Goonetilleke Shield to Wesley, in a game they would have backed themselves to win. Then they had to take on table leaders Trinity, sans some of their key personnel owing to illness. They did well to lose respectably, but it was a loss nevertheless. Then they signed off the first round with an almighty scrap with hometown rivals Science College. This left them with more questions than answers as to how they approach the game.
Key player Christian De Lile is back at training, and skipper Henakankaanamge is also back at full fitness. This will be a boost to the side that welcome Royal in their traditional Gunaratne Trophy on Saturday. I believe that they have a great chance of winning, considering also that they are playing in their own back yard. I’m hoping this would be an occasion where the Thomians finally turn the corner.
St. Peter’s College
Unfortunately, you don’t quite know which Peterite team will show up on the day. The one that bamboozled their way to an emphatic win over Isipathana, or the one that surrendered meekly to Royal, St. Joseph’s, and most recently to demoted Dharmarajah. The last defeat in particular has really sent off the alarm bells at Bambalapitiya. Collin Denish is now a man under immense pressure. This Peterite team has some explosive firepower with the likes of Diyath Fernando, and power running Centre Theekshana Heshan. They also have a lot of experience in the form of Fly Half Stephen Sivaraj. But once put under pressure, their big game players have been found wanting thus far. When you have players with immense gas such as Diyath and Theekshana, you need to formulate a plan that puts them in space. Unfortunately, this does not seem to have been worked out. Once they have fallen behind on the scoreboard one got the impression that the game plan went out the window.
They are still a dangerous side when they get it right. First up, they host the Lions. This will be an acid test, and they must be at their absolute best to stay in the contest.
Zahira College
Got to be one of the neutrals favourite teams to watch. I must admit, I have really enjoyed these boys play. Coach Shamly Nawaz must be applauded for the job done with this team. They’re incredibly difficult to beat, especially on their own grounds. They have some dangerous players in the ranks, especially in their backline. Yuzraan Lanthra has been the top try scorer (9 tries) this season. You give him the outside and he will burn you. Zahid Sinhawansa has also had a strong season, but he had a poor outing against Wesley, which in the end probably made the difference. They will be a potential banana skin for every team that comes up against them. And if their forwards manage to hold their own, they are more than capable of an upset.
You take them lightly at your own peril.
