Isipathana was crowned Schools league champions over the weekend when they beat Kingswood convincingly to take away a well-deserved league title. Isipathana also remained unbeaten as their only close call was against St Peters last week where they opened the doors for Trinity.
However Trinity was compelled to settle for second place as their league title hopes were totally dependent on the outcome of the Sundays match between Kingswood and Isipathana. Kingswood who hadn’t recovered from their loss to Trinity which shattered their league hopes the previous week, failed to come out with their best efforts in their final game. They just didn’t seem to click as a team and playing minus their skipper seemed to have affected their usual run and pass game. Still the highest try scorer for Kingswood, Imthisam Jaleel with his quick movements and crafty side stepping was a menace to the Pathanians. But Omalka Gunaratne and Sudam Sooriyarachi of Isipathana have probably been the biggest thorn in the side of all oppositions this season as they rarely failed to make their mark on the score sheet. These two lads were brilliant, two different styles of play yet equally effective, one simply powers his way through and the other steps and sneaks his way through. They were instrumental and inspirational to their team mates. Isipathana was also one of the schools that were able put on the best team effort of the season. They were consistent as a team!
St.Peters on the other hand almost managed a win against the Lions but Trinity has proved to be so good in those crunch situations this season. Led by Tarinda Ratwatte the skipper for Trinity who scored 14 of 29 points scored by the team on the day was once again instrumental in guiding his team to victory. It was 22 to all with five minutes to go and no one seemed to be able to knock Trinity off in those dying stages. Their superior fitness levels helped them immensely to be able to grab those last gasps and make them count. The Trinity the third row was outstanding with J D Perera, Umesh Samarasekara and the omnipresent, Isuru Rangala being consistent performers for Trinity.
The Lions probably possessed the most skilled backs in the season, Isipathana would have been on par yet Trinity backs were always threatening with ball in hand. Their late-found talent Saranga Gunathilake was brilliant from the back as he easily out ran his counter parts. Trinity was also sound in defense and did not give as many opportunities to the Peterites. But not many teams could stop Shamri Burah and Kevin Dixon as both crossed the try line. Kevin Dixon is a youngster for the future and his try scoring ability is simply outstanding. The Peterites were good as a team but their reliance on a few players did not help the end result of most games.
Royal although having lost the Bradby came back strongly in the second round of the League tournament to loose none and were consistent on the field. Royal forwards gained good ground each time they ran at the opposition and the customary “Royal Maul” was unstoppable. This actually questions the strategies used by many coaches in the season. Do they have a plan for every game? Seeing some schools scoring from the same moves and the same set plays sometimes one wonders how strategic schools are in their approach to the game. Nevertheless Science was not ready let Royal have their last win easy as one point in time it looked like it would go down to the wire. Supun Warnakulasooriya made sure the hopes of the visitors were short lived as he scored a hat trick to take the game away from Science. Nimshan was persistent with his boot and was an inspirational player yet there were instances he could have been a better leader. He needed to get the maximum out of the team and although failing to do that at the Bradby it could be agreed that he did this in the second round of league games. Science was looking for one more upset in the season but this time around they were denied of any hopes as Royal showcased a superior game.
St. Joseph’s went away with a well-deserved victory as they thrashed a hapless Thomian side. The Joesphian skipper Vishmitha Peiris led from the front ensuring they finished on a high note. There were many occasions in the season when St. Joseph’s came close to victory but were unable to turn around those vital games. They deserved this victory for the decent rugby they played right throughout the season. On the other hand the Thomians lacked determination and the heart to make this season a memorable one for themselves. Having lost only five players from last year where they were “B” division champs and the winners of the Michael Gunaratne trophy, experience certainly didn’t matter this season as they suffered a few shameful defeats at the hand of their counterparts who showed more grit and heart to win a game of rugby. What could have gone wrong the Thomians?, Preparation? , Tactical approach? Or just the desire to win?
It was surely an exciting weekend of Rugby as the winners were left to be decided till the last game played on Sunday. Isipathana surely the rightful owners of the throne and Trinity were close but not close enough. Rugby is a game where opportunities should be taken when given and if not taken it could bite you in the rear!
