Wesley College travel up to Nittawela to take on the Kingswood College as they two teams face off in what is their biggest fixture of the League for the coveted L. E. Blaze Trophy in the very first week of the 2019 Schools’ Rugby League.
History of the Encounter
This fixture was played for the very first-time way back in 1986. The school from Kandy, Kingswood College was captained by current Antonian Coach Ronnie Ibrahim and Wesley College by Sumedha Kuruppu.
This great spectacle was halted in the 2005 due to unrest between spectators. Until then out of 25 encounters for the trophy, Kingswood had won 20 and Wesley 3, while two games have ended in draws.
Recent Past
Since this encounter was reinstated in 2013, Kingswood have dominated, winning in 2014, 2015 – under the leadership of Reeza Rafaideen, 2017 – ending 40-39 – and are the current holders winning 31-13 in 2018.
Wesley College went on to win the trophy in 2016, thumping Kingswood 57 – 07 under the captaincy of Zayaan Sabar while the game ended with nothing to separate the two sides in 2013.
Most recent meeting
Kingswood College came down from Kandy and made easy work of Wesley College last year winning 31-13 at Racecourse.
Wesley College lead at the break 13-10, however, they were over powered in the second half; they were held scoreless.
Tharindu Waligampola’s team brought out the fire in the second half, dispatching Wesley to take home the L.E. Blaze trophy.
Read More : Kingswood script Kandyan Revolution
Player to watch out for
5th year Colorsman Murshid Zubair will no doubt be a threat in this game as he will be wanting to begin his final season at school in flying fashion. Sritheysh Thavarajah will be hoping to bring about his quick feet as he slots in alongside Zubair in the Wing.
Half back combinations for Kingswood have always prospered in the past and this season’s combination too shows so much promise with Hirusha Sampath and Asiri Senevirathne lining up along-side each other in the 9 & 10 jumpers.
Hooker Milan Weerasinghe from the forward pack is a key man to have an eye on as he would look to provide a good platform for his outside back to work off from.
Predictions
If last year’s result is anything to go by, Kingswood College will be hot favorites coming into this game and playing up at Nittawela will be another factor that comes in favor of the lads from Kandy.
