After a below par 2018, S. Thomas’ College bounced back in magnificent fashion, beginning the 2019 season with silverware. Royal on the other hand brought about their usual dominant style of rugby defeating Maliyadewa with ease. Will the revitalized Thomians be able to bring down the dominant Royalists to recapture the Michael Gunaratne Trophy?
- When? 11th March 2019
- Where? S. Thomas’ grounds Mount Lavinia.
- Kick off – 4pm
Past encounters
After being introduced in 1962, the rivalry for the Michael Gunaratne Trophy has been fierce, as it always is between these two schools.
The school beside the sea has been dominated by the lads from Reid Avenue in this fixture with the Royalists handsomely leading the head-to-head battle 32 to 19. There have been 5-occasions in which there has been nothing to separate the two schools.
Royal’s record winning margin from 2015 was demolished last year as the unbeaten 2018 outfit, led by Sabith Feroze managed a 55-00 drubbing. For the Thomians, their 22-00 win under Charya de Saram in 1991 stands up to date as their biggest margin of victory.
Dominant Royal decimate S. Thomas’ in record win
Royal College demolished S Thomas’ to take the Michael Gunaratne trophy and secure….
Previous Results:
- 2007 RC won 22-18
- 2008 RC won 24-05
- 2009 RC won 37-33
- 2010 RC won 38-12
- 2011 RC won 22-07
- 2012 RC won 34-24
- 2013 STC won 29-20
- 2014 RC won 36 -17
- 2015 RC won 52-00
- 2016 STC won 21-15
- 2017 RC won 31 -14
- 2018 RC won 55-00
Most recent encounter
Both teams kicked off their season with victories. A Royal drubbing for Maliyadewa at the Complex while the Thomians came from behind for a dramatic win over St. Peter’s. The former was expected with Maliyadewa just making a return into the top flight, however, the Thomians win over St. Peter’s was far from expected.
Royal were at their dominant best, sending an early season message to their rivals with a 62-06 hammering of Maliyadewa.
Royal send early warning after robust win
Royal College thrashed Maliyadeva College Kurunegala 62-6 in their Singer Schools….
- Thomas’ on the other hand were made to work for their win, having to comeback from the dead to match the Peterite attack, and taking out the game 20-19.
A tale of two halves; S. Thomas’ vs St. Peter’s
It was a nail-biting encounter between S. Thomas’ and St. Peter’s to open the Singer….
Players to watch out for
Player of the match from week one, Kevin Samarasekara will surely be seeking to continue his good work. A poacher at the breakdown and a work horse on the field, we could surely expect another heart on the sleeve performance from the flanker against arch rivals S. Thomas’.
Along with Samarasekara, captain Thulaib Hassan will be another key cog in the Royal wheel. His attacking prowess along with his defensive ability will no doubt be tested in yet another crucial game for both sides.
Lining up on the open-side flank, Kaveen Jayasekara will surely be looked up to by his team mates if they are to stop the heavy Royal forwards. His ability at the breakdown will be put to test and if the Thomians are to have any chance, he will need to put in yet another mammoth shift.
The weight of Adeesha Handunpathirana and the inputs of Harith Senanayake will surely come in handy yet again as the Thomian forwards will be knowing what sort of effort would be required from them.
Predictions
Early doors in the season, however, if the Royalists bring about another performance similar to last week, there should be no doubt about the result. But with a Thomian team brimming with confidence and with the occasion at hand it surely seems to be game on.
Royal to win by 5-12 points
