Newly crowned league champions Royal College will not take part in the Milo President’s Trophy Knockout tournament that kicks off next week at Sugathadasa, ThePapare learns.
The team led by Sabith Feroz, overhauled St. Peter’s College 32-13 last weekend to retain the league title that they won in 2017. Royal finished the league with their unbeaten record intact, stamping their dominance in the schools’ rugby arena.
However, the team has withdrawn from the Milo President’s Knockout trophy that is set to kick off on the 16th of June citing that a majority of their players will be sitting for the advanced level examinations this August and require time to focus on their studies.
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“We decided that Royal College will not play in the Milo President’s trophy. About 12 of our players are sitting for their A-levels this year and they need to focus on their studies now. The players need a break” added the master-in-charge for Royal College Rugby when ThePapare inquired on the matter.
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With Royal College withdrawing from the tournament, the Sri Lanka Schools Rugby Football Association (SLSRFA) will be looking to include the 7th place finishers of the Cup segment, Wesley College in the tournament. If they fail to confirm their participation, Zahira College will be offered a position in the tournament as they finished 8th in the League.
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With Royal withdrawing, the seedings for the President’s trophy will also see a change with 2nd placed St. Joseph’s College going in as the #1 seed. The finalized quarterfinal schedule will be released shortly.
The Milo President’s Knockout Trophy kicks off on the 16th of June 2018.
