The final week of the first round is here and eight teams out of twelve will qualify for the Cup competition after this week’s clashes whilst the bottom four teams will compete in the Plate category.
Isipathana College vs Science College
Date : 29th April 2016
Venue : Havelock SC
Kick off : 4.30 p.m.
These two teams are probably the fastest in open and broken play and also have a high volume of skill-level when compared to the other schools. Last year during the league Isipathana was too strong and went on to win 45 – 20. However, Science College avenged this loss in the President’s Cup finals winning it 21 – 18 for their first ever silverware. Both teams are unbeaten so far this year and Isipathana edge the points table by 0.5 point margin. (Isipathana 22 – Science 21.5) A win would definitely be a boost to either team as they go on to the next round.
Watch Live: Isipathana College vs Science College
The Greens’ forwards have been outstanding so far as they all contribute more than 100%. They also have arguably the best Center combination in skipper Kushan Idunil and Sumudu Rankothge. Wingers Chamodh Fernando and Ranidu Padmasankha have been in good shape but full back Gayan Wickramarathne, a nippy guy, would be the one to watch.
Science on the other hand, rested their key player Tanuja Maduranga for the last game. Flanker Janith Laksara is one beast as he fills in the slot left by Lasindu Ishan who did wonders for Science last year. Tharinda Maduranga, the 16 year old, has been a great reader of the game and this game will be a pretty good test for him.
Top try scorers:
IC – Sumudu Rankothge 5 (Center)
SC – Tarinda Maduranga 4Top points scorers:
IC – Gayan Wickramarathne 28 (T2 C9)
SC – Thanuja Maduranga 31 (C8 P5)
Total Tries: IC 32 – SC 22
St. Joseph’s College vs D.S.Senanayake College
Date: 29th April 2016
Venue: CR&FC
Kick off: 4.30 p.m.
Joes played their best game of the season last week when they almost beat Royal but at the end had to settle for a 27 all draw. Bilal Yousuf, the Joes coach, made a few positional changes in the last game with their captain Romesh Priyankara playing at half back to his usual place at Center. Joes 8,9,10 combination was spot on in the last game, and they will employ the same strategy this week too.
D.S. Senanayake on the other hand are struggling and have only scored three tries in four games while conceding 205 points at an average of 51.25 per game. Captain Ashraf Muzmi was the great hope of the team but even his performance has not been up to the mark.
Top try scorers:
SJC – Devon Fernando 2 (#08)
DS – Ruchira Weerakook 1 (Center)Top points scorers:
SJC – Chathura Senavirathne 22 (T1 C4 P2 DG1)
DS – Ashraf Muzmi 13 (C2 P3)
Total Tries: SJC 07 – DS 03
Royal College vs Trinity College
Date: 30th April 2016
Venue: Royal Complex
Kick off: 4.30 p.m.
Last year the 1st leg of the Bradby was a nail biter, ending 23-22 in favour of Royal back in Pallekele. Trinity will not forget the second leg thrashing of 49 – 00. This year Royal has not had any outstanding performances as yet. Their forwards have been rock solid but not as consistent as they would like. Tight head Ayesh Maduranga has made so many hard yards and Captain Nikhila Gunadeera needs to step up as he did last week. Coach Martis made a few changes in the starting line, perhaps that experiment is worthwhile.
Watch Live: Royal College vs Trinity College
Ashok Wijekumar starting at 15 and moving to 09 in the last quarter made a huge different. However, the question will be if the Royal backs will be able to burst through, despite their forwards being their strength. Ovin Askey was out last week and if he is fit, his kicking at the up rights will play a vital part.
Trinity will be without their skipper Rahul Karunathilake due to a red card in week four; a huge loss. Thisila Perera, the bulky fly half will lead the Lions. The Trinitian backs have had decent outings in the last two weeks. Trinity will probably play the territorial game and a fast counter attacking strategy. Avishka Shiek and Sanushka Abeywickrama have been in fine form and both of them should play well to make a win. Dilushka Dange and Geshan Pethiyagoda have the gas and they need have the ball in hand more often than not.
Top try scorers:
RC – Ayesh Maduranga 2 (Prop)
TCK – Dilushka Dange 2 (Wing)Top points scorers:
RC – 22 (T1 C4 P2 DG1)
TCK – Sanushka Abeywickrama 14 (T2 C2)
Total Tries: RC 14 – TCK 21
S. Thomas’ College vs Wesley College
Date: 30th April 2016
Venue: Havelock Park
Kick off: 4.30 p.m.
At the Sir Oliver Goonethileke Shield encounter last year a last minute comeback by S. Thomas’ helped them to a 36-29 win.
Naveen Heenakankanamge is the name that all the schools are worrying about. He has been a match winner and such an outstanding winger. S. Thomas’, although traditionally known for their forwards play, have a much more balanced unit this time around. Captain Pandula De Silva was solid last week as well, as was Ashwantha Herath at number 12. No other team has created tactical set-play like the Thomians did with a few penalties.
Watch Live: S. Thomas’ College vs Wesley College
Wesley has been such an unlucky team so far. They almost spoiled Trinity’s party in week one and came so close against Royal. However, last week a high scoring win showcased their running game. They don’t have big bulky forwards like their opposition, but Coach Jivan Goonathileke knows the Thomian unit better than anyone as he was their coach last year. Captain Zayan Sabar, Avishka Lee at half back and his twin Awantha have been brilliant. Last year’s Captain Omar Kuthubdeen has just found his form this season scoring two tries in the last game.
Top try scorers:
STC – Naveen Heenakankanamge 7 (wing)
WC – Avantha Lee 3 (Center)Top points scorers:
STC – Ashwantha Herath 38 (T2 C11 P2)
WC – Avishka Lee (T2 C9)
Total Tries: STC 17 – WC 16
St. Peter’s College vs Dharmaraja College
Date: 30th April 2016
Venue: Bambalapitiya
Kick off: 4.30 p.m.
Both teams were on the losing side last week. The Peterites still look like favourites to win this game especially with home advantage. Senura Premawardene’s red card gives him a match ban and we will see how costly it will be for the hosts. Avishka Heenpella will have to play a big role in terms of managing the game, especially marshalling the forwards and the backs in attack. Skipper Sandesh Jayawickrama is not having the best of times, he still has much to deliver. Theekshana Dassanayaka, the Center, is the one likely to create problems for the Rajans.
Dharmaraja played a solid game against Kingswood, but looks like they lost their fine tune. Chalindu Wijesinghe, the captain, and Gihan Ishara, the play maker, have to deliver more often for the school by the river.
Top try scorers:
SPC – Theekshana Dassanayake 5 (Center)
DCK – Chalindu Wijesinghe 2 (Center)Top points scorers:
SPC – Theekshana Dassanayake 25 (T5)
DCK – Gihan Ishara 19 (T1 C4 P2)
Total Tries: SPC 10 – DCK 10
Kingswood College vs St. Anthony’s College
Date: 30th April 2016
Venue: Bogambara
Kick off: 4:30 p.m.
Kingswood have not been playing to their potential this season. It is a must win game for them to stay in the cup competition. Their total points stand at 4.5 while the Eagles have 8. A disappointing run so far for the Kings of the hill capital but they will have a final shot at winning a game in the first round this weekend. For the first time, Kingswood will be relegated to the Plate championship. Despite the efforts by #8 Shenesh, the Kingswood 1st XV team will have to go down and fight their way up. A win against Dharmaraja last week kept the spirits of the Antonians high as they have a must win encounter in order to survive in the top tier. The league’s top points scorer Samuel Maduwantha will be once again in action with his kicking duties and in form second row Mohamed Shabeer will play a key role in the game this weekend.
Top try scorers:
KCK – Shenesh Kavishka 2 (No8)
SACK – Mohamed Shabeer (Lock)Top points scorers:
KCK – 15 Shivantha Ranaweera 25 (T2 C1 DG1)
SACK – Samuel Maduwantha 47 (T1 C6 P10)
Total Tries: KCK 08 – SACK 09
