Singer Schools League – Team of the week 2

Melan scored one try and showed good ball carrying skills. His partner Shaveen too played well at tight head. But Melan was solid in the scrums and in broken play. Isipathana’s little prop, Royal’s and Science’s loose head forwards too contributed well in their wins.

Still pretty consistent with lineouts but more than that I like his support play; his twist and turn, draw and pass ability was fascinating to watch. Nathan Yee of Trinity was also another candidate for week two but his butter fingers contributed to a knock-on and an over throw.

Our most ardent fan Kush Neo was nominating this guy for week one, but Charith Janith’s input for the Science win was far better than Raja’s input in a big loss. This week he proved himself, it was good to see those big hits and a try that helped the Rajans to a win. This man is big and strong in the tight and I would like to see him play the rest of the season.

Well he was outstanding this week too, scoring yet another try in a similar fashion to the one he scored last week. It’s pleasing to see locks run and scoring tries. He was not used much in the jump, but looks to be a great reader of the game and can make extra yards in the breakdowns and also awaits for the inside passes from the first receiver.

Very good 4^th man option in the lineout, has the ability to dummy in the open play and his try against Kingswood was a beauty. The Rajans skipper is also great in breakdowns and has been marshalling his troops with confidence even after the big loss in week one against Isipathana.

Such a brutal force in defence, he made life difficult for the Antonians in their den. His support play and off load skills are exceptional. He was used in the lineouts as well.

* Deepest sympathies to Adeesha Eshan on behalf of ThePapare team as he lost his father the very next day after the game.

He gives 110% on the field more like the way Sudarshana Muthuthantri plays for Havelocks. He is in the team for the 2^nd consecutive week. Has some great running angles. He stopped Rahal Delpachitra from scoring a try with a quick turnover. He is a real strength for Science this season. I don’t know whether he knows the French star Serge Betsen, but in the below pic he certainly has the look of Serge.

He went in to contact sucking in two players, then he was as fast as flash in assisting Harith Lokugamage’s try. Made some good decisions on the field and is a pretty strong runner and very quick in the scrum breaks.

Quick balls out of the rucks and fast moving pace with lovely footwork are characteristics of Madumadawa’s play. Most importantly his box kicking ability was simply amazing this week. His last kick was chased by Tarinda Maduranga; the ball bounced and foxed Avishka Heenpella which led to a try that won Science the game.

In week one he had zero success with his kicks but in week two he has 2/2 – a penalty and a conversion from the corner. But I still stick with him for this week. He was trying to make a few breaks and his distribution was pretty good as he understands the game well. He used his left foot (wrong foot) on one occasion where the ball went almost 30m to touch, also shows that he is not scared to go into contact when it was needed. Bumindra Dissanayake scored two tries and was also a contender for the no 10 alongside Kingswood’s Ranaweera who made a Fazil Marija type breakaway. But Siva did a tad better this week against a slightly better opposition.

Dange and Pethiyagoda played well for the Trinity Lions, but this 16 year old received so many thumping tackles on him and yet he overcame all of them. The winning try against St. Peters is probably the highlight for him personally. Last year, when he was just 15 he scored 9 tries and he added to that career tally. He was also good in defense.

Watch the match highlights to see how good this guy is. Although he wears the no 13 shirt he is a utility player, just like his coach Radika Hettiarachchi, during his time. Chamika assisted the first try with a brilliant off load and then scored a stunning try as a first receiver with a 60m dash. This week his performance was better than Peterite Theekshana (needs to work on passing and offloading), Isipathana captain Idunil (was superb with draw and pass), Jehan Seelagama (scored a try but can learn a lesson or two from his opponents), and Science captain Nirosh Udayanga, who is also one to watch out for.

This guy scored two tries and made loads of yards, was good in defense but needs to work a bit more on passing to his right. Diyath Fernando was also good in the 13 shirt, so was Avantha Hashan of Wesley and Sharith Nanayakkara of S. Thomas’ but Rankothge is the no 1 choice for week 2.

So far the best winger at the moment, but surely Naveen will be tested with the big guns, especially in the coming week against Royal. Against D.S he scored one try and had one assist, his defense has improved as well.

This bloke running is so lovely to watch with the ball in hand showcasing dazzling steps and sprints. He was outstanding in week one although Mayon Jayawardene deserved no 15 in week one. This week Gayan fought his way in and what is impressive in this man is that he made four conversions – he could be the regular kicker.