Singer Schools Rugby League – Mouthwatering clashes await!

The second round of the Singer Schools Rugby League will commence this Friday. It was an eventful and enthralling first round that we witnessed and things are ready to kick-off after the holiday break.

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Expected to be a cracking game as both teams have the fire powered sprinters in their back line. It will also be interesting to see how the forwards manipulate things at the breakdown as both teams are eager to play running rugby. Isipathana has all the psychological advantage A) they are the defending champions B) Havelock Park is not a strange home ground for them.

On the other hand what will boost the Zahirians will be that they have the top points scorer and the try scorer of the season thus far.

WATCH LIVE: ISIPATHANA V ZAHIRA

Isipathana skipper Sumudhu Rankothge who was outstanding last year is yet to spark up this season. He will be the key player who can turn a game around. Full back Chamodh Fernando has got some sensational skills, half back Harith Bandara is a clever reader of the game and outside half Randy Silva has a lot riding on him and his game management.

Zahira will miss their skipper Mohamed Irfan due to a knee injury, but the acting skipper Shifaz Amath has the capability to marshal this team. Top points scorer Zaid Sinhawansa (77pts) will be the pivotal player to stream-roll the Zahira attack. Top try scorer Yuzraan Lanthra (9T) has been a revelation for the Maradana team.

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There will be some questions in the mind of the double blues after the disappointing loss against Kingwood in the L.E. Blaze Trophy last weekend. Wesley clearly lost their playing structure in that game and surely they would have worked hard to improve their mistakes. Lee brothers have a lot of responsibility on their shoulders, so has the skipper Denister Gunathilake who will play at fly half. Shashika Ashan will face a fierce battle with his opposite number Gihan Perera. Full back Murshid Zubair will be tested with some up and under kicks by the visitors.

WATCH LIVE: WESLEY V ST.JOSEPH’S

St. Joseph’s recovered their two early defeats and now look like a revamped team. However, some players are yet to play to their potential. Full back Gemunu Chethiya and wing Vinul Fernando combination can be more threatening than we saw in the first round. Fly half Chathura Senavirathna has the big boots but it’s debatable if coach Nilfer Ibrahim will opt for territorial play. Sven Muller and Shevon Gregory have been pillars of strength in the front row and the duo have a lot of mobility as well.

Where did Sachin Silva come from? Such talent! He was on the bench for the first two games and was given a chance and now he has scored 72 points in 5 games including 9Tries. His kicking ability took the pressure off the Joes fly half and scoring 9 tries shows the strategy of the Joes game play which is to run the ball wide.

Last year was history, with a thrilling final minute try by Naveen Henekankanamage. The friendly-rivalry will continue as the Thomians will host this match at their college grounds for the first time this season. The good news for the home team is that Christian De-Lile the loose-forward is back after dengue fever and skipper Naveen Henekankanamage and Mayon Jayawardene are at full strength. However, the question will be where will the skipper start? At center or at wing? Coach Laga will be the decider but looking at the stats playing at center field doesn’t seem to be the place for Naveen. Fly half Hans Walpola was brilliant against Zahira and Trinity and he needs to execute the same.

WATCH LIVE: S.THOMAS’ V ROYAL

Royal on the other hand will want to take revenge for the bitter loss of last year. It was pleasing to see that they don’t really rely much on their driving maul this time around with the tries coming equally from forwards and backs. Outside center Janidu Dilshan and winger Sabith Feroze have been instrumental in the first round. Inside center Thulaib Hassen also played a vital part so has the captain cool Ovin Askey, who made some sensible decisions.

Certainly both teams are equally talented but the only different is that Royal knows to play the 80minutes. They know to make the right decision and even if the wrong decision was made they were brilliant in turning it in to their favour.

Some would argue if St. Peter’s deserve to play in the cup category. They are a team with so much talent but exploiting it at the right time matters. They beat the defending champions Isipathana and here is an opportunity for them to beat the lions. It won’t be an easy task but this team can certainly deliver a shocker. If the Ravin Fernando (half back) & Stefan Sivaraj (outside half) combination works well, the home team can score a lot of tries getting their back in. Center Theekshana Dissanayaka and the skipper Diyath Fernando will have lot to do not with their playing ability but in terms of communication.

WATCH LIVE: ST.PETER’S V TRINITY

Trinity after a long break, conducted a camp in the Negombo sun and are looking forward to extending their unbeaten run. They are favourites without a doubt but playing at Bambalapitiya is not an easy task. Diuksha Dange and Warren Weerakoon’s center partnership was excellent. Aveesha Priyankara and Shaveen Ekenayaka’s front-row partnership was even better. Captain Nathan Yee is marshalling his troops well and playing an important role at the back of the scrum.