The third week of Round 2 in the Singer Schools’ Rugby League is set to begin this Friday (14th June) as three competition matches take place, while the Bradby Shield bout concludes for 2019 with the second leg set to take place at the Royal Complex.
Will the Josephians winning run come to an end? What’s in store? Let’s find out
Friday, June 14th – Wesley College V St. Joseph’s College – 4pm at CR & FC
The only unbeaten side in the competition, St. Joseph’s College come in with their spirits high, following an unconvincing win, after an extended break. The triumph would have no doubt done them a world of good as the tournament heads into the business end.
Wesley College head in on the back of a sensational win against the Green Machine, defeating the Kings of Rugby after a lapse of 6 years.
Wesley College dominated Pathana at their own game, running circles around a dysfunctional Green Machine.
Nilfer Ibrahim and his Josephian backroom staff would no doubt be knowing that there is no room for complacency, as they prepare to enter uncharted territory, with regards to their position on the table. Les-Blues will surely do everything possible to get the W over the Josephians as they seek to leap up the table.
The hosts will not look to change too much as their potent backline meets an equally competent three-quarter line of St. Joseph’s College, however, the Wesley attack will be tested for new ideas as they seek to break the resilient Joes’ defense.
Saturday, 15th June – Royal College V Trinity College – 4pm at Royal Complex
With one hand on the shield, Royal head in as clear-cut favorites. Trinity on the other hand will first need to turn around a 17-point deficit before they seek to dismantle the hosts.
The visitors head in following a drubbing down at Bambalapitiya as they were taken to the cleaners by a supreme Peterite outfit. Royal enter with yet another win under their belts, this time getting through the Science test with relative ease.
Royal College will aim to dominate possession, keeping a hold of the pill as Trinity will be compelled to chase the game from the onset, following their defeat in the first leg.
The visitors’ confidence would have been dented following their demoralizing defeat, however, the Bradby shield encounter will no doubt breathe life into their attack and the Trinity Lions would need their flair to end a 4 year wait for the coveted shield.
Saturday, 15th June – St. Peter’s College V Isipathana College – 4pm at Bambalapitiya
A clash of the titans. The mighty Peterites host an Isipathana outfit on the decline in the recent weeks. The Green Machine ended the first round with a defeat and are still to record their first win of the second round. The home side have been flying high since their win against Royal College on their own paddock.
Pathana will have their work cut out, having not lived up to the billing against Wesley College last weekend. However, known for their fighting spirit, Isipathana will be a force to be reckon with as they make the short trip to Bambalapitiya.
The Petes will look to continue their dominance, having not lost to Isipathana in the past two years, aiming to make it a hat-trick of wins against an old foe.
The home team displayed their ability to play both the running game and the possession game but there will be no prizes for guessing what game they opt to bring about for this high-stake encounter.
Monday, 17th June – S. Thomas’ College V Science College – 4pm at Mount Lavinia
A Mount Lavinia Derby beside the sea, S. Thomas’ and Science will be desperate to register their first win in the second round. Both sides come in having faced defeats at the hands of Joes and Royal respectively.
The visitors will aim to run, and run with pace and width, knowing the Thomians are weak on the edge. If the hosts are to have a chance of taking anything away, the hosts will have to revert to their possession friendly game plan, keeping the ball away from their visitors, frustrating them with time.
Science have been great in patches this season, but have died down ever since making their way into the cup segment. Meanwhile, the hosts are yet to register a win in the second round, having drawn with Pathana and faced defeat against the Josephians.
The hosts head in as favorites, however, writing off their neighbors early on could be a costly mistake, knowing what the Science lads are capable of. Science last defeated the Thomians in 2015, going down twice in consecutive years since then.
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