Both St. Joseph’s College and S. Thomas’ College will aim to kick off their Schools’ Rugby Season on a positive note, with the opportunity to secure silverware in their very first game of the Singer Schools’ Rugby League.
Defending the Lady Jayathilake Shield, the Josephians will be desperate to get their season off to a flying start unlike 2017, as they seek to retain the shield and make a push for their first League title.
The Thomians on the other hand will be eager to regain the shield, as they too aim to get off to a good start under a new rugby management at Mount Lavinia.
Date: Monday, 12th March
Venue: Havelock Park
Kick-off: 4 pm
History of the Encounter
The first encounter between the two schools was played back in 1955, a game in which the Thomians came out as winners 8-6 under the leadership of K.S Anandan. Mahendra Dias was the unfortunate Josephian captain on the day.
After ten years of the encounter, in 1965, Lucian Jayathilake donated the Lady Jayathilake Shield in memory of his mother, giving the encounter its name.
Since 1965, the Thomians have won the encounter on 36 occasions while the Josephians have managed just 12 wins with two games ending as draws.
The Thomians however, have a total of 44 wins while the Josephian have 12 wins to their name, with two draws to add to it, rounding off the 58 games between the two teams.
Last meeting
A first half blitz by the Josephians in 2017, thanks to Sachith Silva, helped the Blue & Whites from Maradana to a comprehensive win over the lads from Mount Lavinia in a game played at Havelock Park.
First half blitz sees Joes home
A seem less first half – commanding scrum – they splintered Thora’s resolve – and they …
Results from the last decade:
- 2008 SJC won 19-15
- 2009 STC won 38-19
- 2010 STC won 34-25
- 2011 SJC won 24-18
- 2012 SJC won 37-26
- 2013 STC won 39-17
- 2014 SJC won 51-08
- 2015 SJC won 27-25
- 2016 STC won 32-03
- 2017 SJC won 26-12
How will they line up this season?
St. Joseph’s College
The Josephians have not been up to the mark in their pre-season friendlies, losing out against Wesley, DS, and their Old boys. However, with the season rapidly approaching, the lads and coaching staff will surely know they need to get their act together if they are to compete for more silverware.
Sameesha Virangana will be the lad with the captain’s armband this season. Playing at fly half, the youngster will have a significant amount of responsibility on his shoulders as his team aims to reach higher ground from last season.
Virangana will be supported by two vice-captains, namely Gamunu Chethiya, Sri Lanka junior (U18) 7’s captain, and Tharindu De Alwis. The former will line up in the 13 jumper while the latter is due to start in the forward pack.
Gemunu Chethiya to captain Under 18 to Commonwealth Youth Games
Prolific Josephian back division player Gemunu Chethiya will captain the under 18 …
Nippy half-back, Rashane Goonawardena is a young player who has improved drastically over the 2017 season, and he will undoubtedly be aiming to reach new heights in 2018.
S. Thomas’ College
The Thomians on the other hand had a relatively modest pre-season, beating Thurstan College but going down to Science College in friendlies. With heavy forwards at their disposal, the Thomians will be confident as they come into the fresh season. However, an inexperienced backline will be a bother for the coaching staff as the season comes by.
Mobile forward, Christian De Lile, Sri Lanka Junior 7’s representative, will be their leader for the season as he seeks to take his school to a better finish than in 2017.
In a forward dominant team, 2017 starters, Harith Senanayake & Adeesha Hadunpathirana are two others who we need to have a close eye on. Hadunpathirana is due to start in the front row while Senanayake will fit in, in the back row.
Predictions
The potent Josephian back line would undoubtedly cause trouble against the fragile Thomian three-quarters. Having said that, the heavy Thomian forwards could cause trouble for their counterparts, however, if the pre-season friendlies are anything to go by, this game will be a tight affair as both teams did not have favouble results in their friendlies.
Expect a tight affair. Joes to win by 3 points.
