Unlike in the previous years, the schools rugby has had many changed been implemented to further enhance and develop the sport at the grass-root levels. One such change is the introduction of a brand new format which is currently being used this season.
The first round being done and dusted, the new format brings about an interesting second round which automatically divides teams into categories based on the silverware on offer, with the teams of that particular group challenging for the cup, plate, bowl and shield in order of importance.
The second round format might initially seem complicating, but it eventually becomes easy to understand, and lets try and break it down to little segments to make it as clear as possible.
Division A – Cup
Teams: Kingswood, St. Peter’s, Science, S. Thomas’, Isipathana, Trinity, Royal and St. Joseph’s
After a gruelling first round in the top tier, eight teams will vie for the cup. The composition of the eight were made up of the ‘Top 4’ teams from Group 1A and Group 2A which totalled six teams in each group making 12 top tier teams for the first round.
The points from the first round will be taken into consideration and brought forward, while no team will face each other twice, since those points have been already accounted for in the group stage. This system will consistently hold throughout the rest of the segments as well.
Division A – Plate
Teams: Wesley, Prince of Wales, D.S. Senanayake, C.W.W. Kannangara, Ananda, St. Anthony’s, Dharmaraja and Mahanama
The Plate segment will comprise of the ‘Bottom 4’ teams from the cup, namely; Wesley, DS, St Anthony’s and Dharmaraja and the ‘Top 4’ teams from Division 1B. Thus, making up the required eight teams for the second round.
Division A – Bowl
Teams: Lalith Athulathmudali, Zahira, Thurstan, St. Benedict’s, Vidyartha, St. John’s, St. Sylvester’s, Nalanda
The Bowl segment will comprise of the 3rd,4th and 5th place teams in Groups 1 and 2 from the plate(Division 1B), namely; Lalith Athulathmudali, Thurstan, St. Benedict’s, St. John’s, St. Sylvester’s, Nalanda and the Group Winners (‘Top 2’) from Division 1C (Zahira and Vidyartha), thus, making up the required eight teams for the second round.
Division A – Shield
The Shield will be the final silverware on offer in the Division 1 segment, and will be competed again by eight teams. This includes the ‘Bottom 2’ from Division 1B – namely, Lumbini and PIliyandala MMV, the 2nd, 3rd and 4th teams in Groups 1 and 2 from Division 1C; Names – and the Group winners from Division 2A Names who will have a chance to be promoted to the top level. The ‘Bottom 2’ Names from Division 1C have a chance of being relegated depending on results in the second round.
This format more or less holds consistent right throughout the Division 2 segment as well. The team with the highest points in the second round will win their respective silverware and be crowned champions of that particular segment.
