Pallekelle rugby ground is expected to be bursting at the seams packed with rugby fanatics today for the annual rugby clash between Trinity and Isipathana. A thrilling game of rugby is in store when the eagerly awaited confrontation between arches rivals in school rugby scrum down, which is also the third game of the second round for the two schools. Today’s kick-off is fixed for 4.30 pm with Rohan Fernando handling the whistle. Both schools are great crowd pullers and in the past whenever they met have produced unrelenting brand of rib bruising rugby.
A repeat is expected today. The match itself should prove interesting as both teams will be out at full strength and will no doubt be seeking to grab it in their favor. As long as the Trinity forwards are left mobile it will be difficult for Isipathana.
This is the realization that has struck the Pathanians and the match strategy will be to run the ball at every opportunity.
It will not be easy for the Trinitians much will depend on their forwards who are experienced and tactically good players. In the first round it was a joy watching Trinity’s attacking style.
They have quality players in almost every department. The Pathana pack too has been sound, if Trinitians can find the extra speed necessary, the Pathanians task will be harder.
The Trinity forwards are playing well and using their weight and height to good effect to gain possession. Today their power and superiority will be gauged against the equally strong Pathana forwards who should play tighter like they did last Saturday against the Thomians. Pathana three-quarters look formidable and are in good form.
They were impressive against the Thomians, disrupting quick ball and preventing them achieving any momentum until late in the game. They caused the Thomian forwards a lot of problems, and they’ll do the same for Trinity.
Dharmaraja host Science at Nittawela
Today at Nittawela the high riding Dharmaraja ruggerites will play Science a game that should turn out in the Rajans favor. In the second round Rajans showed the exit door to both home town schools Kingswood and Vidyartha. If the Rajans want to win this match, they will have to play flawless rugby, mindful of the Science ruggerites ability to play the high ball to maximum benefit.
At present the Rajans forwards are a formidable lot playing together and are good in their rucking and driving. Science should use their line as they have some good runners.
Vidyartha, Kingswood in Colombo
Vidyartha who have lost both their second round matches to St. Anthony’s and Dharmaraja will be in Colombo today to play D.S. Senanayake at Welisara. The D.S. boys should have things to their own liking - their forwards play hard and send the ball quickly out to the threes. Vidyartha fielding a very young outfit will be at full strength. Kingswood who lost the first second round game shocked the Antonians in their last encounter and should have their hands full today when they play Lumbini. Kingswood who possesses a glittering array of players will go all out for a win as they cannot afford to lose this game. Lumbini too are good and sure to give a good run to the Kingswoodians in their own den.
Kandy under 15 girls do well in swimming
Mahamaya Girls College gave an excellent performance at the National & Sub junior under 15 National Aquatic championships 2017 where they were placed first in the girl’s event. Gateway International School swimmers too did well to take the second runner-up place in the girls under 15 events.
St. Anthony’s play Prince of Wales
The Antonians, who are smarting from the defeat they suffered at the hands of Kingswood last Sunday, will be hoping to salvage some of their lost pride when they clash in the second round “Plate” trophy rugby third game, with Prince of Wales on Sunday at Pallekelle.
The Antonians must be desperate to come out with a better performance. They had major issues in the team where ball handling; unforced errors led them to a tough defeat. In this game the Antonians must rely more on their speedy outsiders, for their bad luck their regular fly half Samuel Maduwantha who passed the century mark last season is out due to an injury, this is affecting them badly.
Nugawella-Ratnayake ends in a draw
The 14th cricket big match between Nugawella Central and A. Ratnayake Central ended in a draw at the Trinity College International Stadium, Asgiriya. Nugawella Central scored 210 with Chavishka Udalagama top scoring with 47, Devinda Dissanayake 38, and Kavindu Weerakoon taking 4 for 41 and, Dinuka Darshana 3 for 57. Ratnayake Central in their turn was all out for 170.
Imala Kodithuwaku was unbeaten on 67 and Lakmal Silva bowled to a line and length to take 7 for 63. In the second innings Nugawela Central were bundled out for 99 with Achala Bogodawatte making 38 while Dinuk Darshana took 7 for 35. A. Ratnayake had to score 240 runs to win but were struggling at 99 for 8 when the game ended. Kavinda Ratnayake made 21; Hasitha Gunawardena took 3 for 16 and Lakmal de Silva 2 for 35.
Weerasinghe best sportsman
V.V. Weerasinghe one of the finest chess players to come out of St. Sylvester’s College was adjudged the best sportsman of the school. Weerasinghe is one of the top class chess players in the country and he is sure to do well with the proper guidance and backing.
Tickets are sky high at school’s rugby?
School rugby crowds could soon keep off from matches if ticket prices continue to rise. School rugby supporters say the present school match tickets are highly priced and Kandy schools rugby risks losing an entire generation of young fans. Rugby was more affordable at one time, now they have broken that habit.
The reason behind it is only Trinity has their own grounds for rugby. They give some schools free for matches when it is not used by them, schools like Vidyartha, Sylvester’s, Dharmaraja, Kingswood, Sumangala, Anthony’s and Rahula who have no grounds of their own for matches. Today schools have to spend nearly Rs. 100,000 as ground fee so naturally the gate fee goes up. From that too they have to pay a 25% entertainment tax. When schools play their matches at Bogambara due to hardness of the grounds there is lot of injuries.
73rd Bradby and Rugger Ball next Saturday
The first leg of the coveted Bradby Shield game is next Saturday at Pallekelle. This leg will be graced by former Trinity captain Tikiri Ellepola as chief guest. Royal and Trinity were the first elite schools to take up rugby, and the first historic match was played on 31 July, 1920.
The Bradby tally stands at Trinity 39 wins, Royal 31 and 2 tied. The Old Boys Association Kandy Branch will present their annual Rugger Ball, soon after the final whistle of the game at the Grand Kandyan Hotel.
The national cricket team at Pallekelle
The Sri Lanka cricket squad is at Pallekelle on a residential training programme in preparation for the June ICC Champion’s Trophy tournament in England. On Tuesday they visited the Temple of the Tooth.
Kandy football
Does anybody care for Kandy’s Football? Kandy A.F.L. has not finished the 2016 tournament. Also the AGM is still not held.
Normally the AGM is held by the first week of March, now it is May. Football was tagged as the common man's game, and at one time the sport in Kandy saw huge crowds witnessing matches. Sad to say in the last couple of year’s football at club level is dead.
Samuel injured
Samuel Maduwantha, the Antonian fly half who was the highest point scorer last season, securing a total of over 100 points is injured and doctors have advised him to rest till the injury is healed. He has missed a couple of games and his absence is badly felt. Last season he kicked a 53-meter drop goal against Trinity at Pallekelle.
Basketball
In the all-Island schools under 15 girls and boys basketball tournament, which was a five-day tournament no Kandy schools qualified for the knockout stages. In the boys event the schools that qualified to play in the tournament were Kingswood, Al Azar and Gateway. Overall there were 20 teams.
Football for schools
The annual inter schools football tournament organized by the Education Department of Kandy Zone is expected to be played on May 15, 16 and 17 at the Bogambara Stadium and Al Jabar College grounds Galagedera.
Over 30 schools are expected to take part in all age groups. The organizing part is handled by the Education department officials.
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