What a cracking week of rugby we’ve just seen, here is a look at some phenomenal performances of week 4. I must admit that this has been the toughest team of the week to pick so far.
Position : Loose head prop
Name: Tehan Perera
School: S.Thomas’ College
Had a fantastic game in week four, just one pass was waved to his left but he showed great strength fending off and making more yards and also did some great defensive work. He was itching to get his name in during the last three weeks and finally his performance was too good not to name him no 1 this week. Sabar the Wesley captain also had a good game.
Position: Hooker
Name: Pandula De Silva
School: S. Thomas’ College
Captain De Silva led his team well for one of the greatest comeback wins. He was good in the lineouts and had some busting runs. More importantly his decision making was spot on. Yapa of St. Peter’s scored a try but was a bit inconsistent in the lineouts similar to Fajudeen for Royal.
Position: Tight head prop
Name: Ayesh Maduranga
School: Royal College
Well, he gave 110% likewise Royal scores a lot with driving maul, he was so good at breakdowns, support play and off loads. Reads the game well and supports his team and his team rely on him heavily. His two tries was the turning point for Royal’s draw.
Position: Lock
Name: Mohamed Shabeer
School: St. Anthony’s College
Four in a row for Antonian number 4. Day by day week by week he has improved. Scored yet another try and was so ferocious in the breakdowns, was great in lineouts as always. So far the best number 4 in the circuit this season.
Position: Lock
Name: Harith Senanayake
School: S.Thomas’ College
Super tackling and running with the ball. Great in lineouts scored an important try. Work rate was so high, pretty much the unsung hero in the Thomian pack. His performance was outstanding and got his name in the team of the week.
Position: Blind side flanker
Name: Vageesha Weerasinghe
School: Isipathana College
Played at No 8 but he is a little man who did so well in week four, deserves a place for the fine performance. Peterite Gurusinghe also had a good game along with the Science no 6.
Position: Open side flanker
Name: Janith Laksara
School: Science College
Hat-trick hero and third man of the match out of four games for Science’s ‘Betsen’. A rock solid player in the breakdown, crunching tackles and great running angles yet again.
Position: No 8
Name: Devon Fernando
School: St. Joseph’s College
He was chose at no7 last week but this week he was brutal at his starting position of #8. Scored an important try, great ball carrying ability and counter rucking skills. More carries than his opposite #8 Nikila Gunadeera, although Nikhila made some good breaks. Devon’s work rate was impressive on that particular day. Isipathana #8 Vageesha Weerasinghe also had a great game against St. Peter’s.
Position: Scrum half
Name: Romesh Priyankara
School: St. Joseph’s College
It was said that Priyankara started his rugby as a scrum half but during the last two years he has played at center. This week the change made a huge difference in that draw against Royal. He was quick in distributing the ball, great combination with 8 and 10, using the blind side attack and also scored an important try.
Position: Fly half
Name: Samuel Maduwantha
School: St. Anthony’s College
Nailed an almost 50m penalty. Scored 16 points (P4 C2), and his kicking was a treat to watch. Reads the game so well and his running game and territorial kicks were excellent. Chathura Senavirathne of Joes also another strong candidate but Samuel’s contribution had more impact on the game than Chathura’s contribution for the draw. Samuel is also the current highest points scorer so far with 47pts.
Position: wing
Name: Naveen Heenakankanamge
School: S.Thomas’ College
You can’t keep this man from scoring tries. Did not have the best first half; a penalty kick he could have left alone but decided to take it with him and as a result Trinity secured possession. However, what an impact he was in the second half; his two tries were superb. Four in a row for Naveen, his name is now trending all over the island.
Position: Inside center
Name: Ashwantha Herath
School: S. Thomas’ College
A little selfish with the ball but he knows how to deal with it. This man was outstanding last year when the Thomians were underdogs. He is using his height and weight to good effect to play in that no 12 shirt. He changed things a lot and created space out wide.
Position: Outside Center
Name: Sumudu Rankothge
School: Isipathana College
His running angle was impressive, two tries were effective, and using his strength stepping and fending off was superb. Isipathana perhaps has the best center combination this season, with one or the other putting in the match winning performance week by week.
Position: Wing
Name: Ravindu Padmasankha
School: Isipathana College
Left footer but good in stepping with both feet. Had a huge impact in the win last week, assisted three tries. His performance was too good. Wesley no 14 also had a good game.
Position: Full back
Name: Gayan Wickramarathne
School: Isipathana College
Little man with big skills, fascinating to watch when he has the ball in hand. His cheeky chip and chase was one of the tactics he used and executed well. Dazzling footwork and superb off loads.
