The most passionate schools rugby season received an enforced break which the teams will gladly use to recover from injuries. With the Sinhala and Tamil New Year break the top tier commences this Friday. Yet again schools will have one more week off due to Vesak holidays.
St. Peters v Isipathana 24.04.2015 KO 4.30pm @St.Peters Grounds
Arguably the match of the week, after much rectification of the date and venue issues kicks off Friday. The title favourites the Green Machine are playing some excellent rugby continuing the momentum of last year. However, the Peterites flaunted their colour in the schools 7s final where they beat Isipathana when the chance of becoming triple champs was shattered. Having said that Isipathana is still solid with their work rate despite their goal kicking woes. Omalka Gunarathne marshalling the troops sweetly has scored 7 tries out of Isipathana’s 23. Chathura Dilshan, Isuru Kongahawatte, Nisal Deshatha, Dilan gallage and Punchiheva all in fine form for the Greens.
Peterite captain Kevin Dixon is back from his internal bleeding in the eye and will be a massive strength to Bambalapitiya. Nishon Perera and Diyath Fernando are in a great form after the running rugby against Wesley. Although they have a slight mental advantage on 7s win, coach Mac Dougall must well be aware of the threat on Friday.
Score prediction – Isipathana to win by 5
St. Joseph v Kingswood 25.04.2015 KO 4.30pm CR&FC
Senior Castro v Young Bilal – two good coaches in terms of technical aspects of the game. Kingswood second in 1A group and Joes on 3rd in the same group. Nevertheless, Kings boosted with a 60 – 00 win over CWW but Joes on the other hand had a deserved 10 days off after a hard physical and brutal game of rugby against Isipathana. Although Joes have one of the best kicking coaches in Nalaka Weerakkody, they have a real issue with the uprights. Whereas the opposite captain Reeza Raffaideen is slotting many of his kicks leading from the front.
Although Reeza scored 32 points in the last game it won’t be the same against Taariq Salih’s defence for sure. Nevertheless, both teams will play their hearts out and the Darley Road school has the home advantage.
Score Prediction – Kingswood to win by 2
St. Anthony’s v Dharmaraja 25.04.2015 KO 4.30pm @Nittawela
The battle of the wooden-spoon in the segment 1B, as both have not won yet. Rajans has a tiny advantage looking at the number of tries they scored against Trinity and the way they defended against Royal. St. Anthony’s on the other hand suffered 2 losses against Trinity and Science where they hosted.
Rajans coach the veteran Radhika Hettiarachi is focused enough to seal the first victory with a different game plan. Neuman Dilan the Eagles captain is very keen to have the first real points on the board to come out of embarrassment.
Score Prediction – Dharmaraja win by 3+
S. Thomas v Royal 25.04.2015 KO 4.30pm @Havelock Park
Another inexperienced and inconsistent Thomian side performing below par this season. Spectators expect that they at least play some decent rugby in their traditional Michael Gunaratne memorial trophy. Also the school by the sea has to deliver a little more before escalating ticket prices to Rs 1000/- which drew criticism all around. Coach Jeevan Gunathilaka and asst coach Sheriff Mohamed said in the season’s preview that S. Thomas is on to some good moves strategically in terms of future rugby. It will depend on how they will end up the first round.
Royal however looks comfortable and more likely to retain the trophy yet again. So far they displayed the best forwards game in the season but Dharmaraja in the last game took the challenge in and tested the Royal consistency. Supun Warnakulasuriya is the catalyst in their driving maul. S. Thomas has more weight in their pack and it will be interesting to see how they can manipulate the Royal attack.
Score Predictions – Royal win 10 +
Science v Trinity 26.04.2015 KO 4.30pm @Science Ground
Trinity will have their first real test against the dark horses Science College. Science outplayed both the Saints and this is their only home game in the first round. This game could end up with an unexpected result as Science can produce some scintillating rugby. Dilan Silva the winger and captain Lasindu Ishan have been in their best forms.
Isuru Rangala is a much experienced campaigner but Saranga Gunathilaka has been the talisman so far for the Lions. Gunathilaka has scored 55 points in just two games. The rugby fraternity can have a cracking time on a Sunday evening witnessing how these two teams horn each other.
Score Predictions – heart says a draw – mind says Trinity by 12+
Wesley v CWW 26.04.2015 KO 4.30pm @ CR&FC
Both teams suffering from 3/3 defeats and it’s all about survival in the top segment this season. The Double Blues has slight advantage on Sunday at the Longdon Place grounds. CWW Kannangara engraved their name in the top tier schools rugby but unfortunately 9 injuries in their tam means they are under pressure to perform. If they can still survive in this league that can be considered as a big win for them.
Wesley on the other hand came late with aggressive rugby against the Peterites but it was too little too late. However, Henry Terrance’s boys are inexperience and 75% of the players can play for remaining two years for their alma mater.
Score Prediction – Wesley to win 20+
