Defending champions Royal College, Colombo will face a fierce challenge from a strong Josephian outfit when they clash on June 29 (Saturday) at the Royal sports complex in the Singer League Division one championship decider.
The lads from Reid Avenue have the tough task of overcoming the Josephians by scoring four tries if they are to retain the league title for the third successive year. The Joes will be hell-bent on beating the Royalists and end the League tournament on a winning note having suffered two successive defeats at the hands of Wesley (13-15) and St. Peter’s (21-23) in their last two outings.
The Joes boast of a strong back division with a fine halves combination in Rehan Gunawardena and Santhush Algama while centre Imesh Dissanayake and the two speedy wingers Tharindu Maduranga and Teran Karunanayake will test the Royal defence to the hilt with their daring runs.
The forte of Royal have been their power-packed forwards with No 8 Samadhi Induwara being a source of inspiration to his team mates with his terrific loose play ably supported by Dilshan Jayah Radesh Wijeratne, Rajindu Jayasuriya, Achintha Radeeshan and the omni present flanker Kevin Samarasekera. The return of lanky Fadil Adahen (who was sidelined due an injury last week) should strengthen them for tomorrow’s match.
The Josephians also have seasonsed campaigners in their pack of the calibre of Skipper Tharindu de Alwis Cheika Jayawardene, Nehan Perera Shevon Gregory Shehan Kelaniyagoda and Tharindu Dilshan who are capable of matching up to the famed Royal ‘eight’. The lads from Reid Avenue will hope that their halvas combination of Nipuna Yasojana and Kalindu Nandila will hit it off tomorrow as they too have penetrative runners in their back division in skipper Thulaib Hassan, Lehan Gunaratne, Yasas Rashmika and an attacking full back Dulan Gunawardene.
Royal have dominated the Singer League Tournament during the last 10 years winning it five times in 2009 (Naren Dhason), 2011 (Shehan Pathirana), 2015 (Banuka Gamage), 2017 (Ovin Askey) and 2018 (Sabith Feroze), while Isipathana have bagged the title on three occasions 2012 (Kumaresh Dharmadasa), 2014 (Shenal Deelaka, 2016 (Kushan Indunil), St. Peter’s 2010 (Keith Gurusinghe) and Dharmaraja 2013 (Rochana Hettiarachchi) are the other two schools which have clinched the league title in the last decade.
Wesley confront Trinity
The high riding Wesleyites who suffered a stunning 21-26 defeat at the hands of lowly placed Science College will confront the vastly improved Trinity College in their final game at the Suguthadasa Stadium on Saturday.
The Wesleyites who came into the game after two sensational wins over Isipathana (28-17) and St. Joseph’s (15-17) paid the penalty for being complacent and resting some key players but today they are likely to field their best outfit in a bid to overcome the Trinity Lions and end up in fourth position in the league.
Skipper Murshid Doray has been the key player for the Campbell Park school with his probing runs and accurate place kicking playing as centre. Fly half Jenosha Mendis, Dashing wingers Kavindana Perera, Theekshana Vithanage and attacking full back Tharusha Jayaweera should give of their best tomorrow if they are to overcome the Trinity Lions.
The lads from Kandy came up with a sterling display against the Thomians last week to emerge victorious by 17-11. after being led 5-11 as ‘lemons’.
Skipper Reshan Bandaranayake has been a tower of strength for the Trinitians with his safe collections and booming kicks to touch and his ability to join the line to form the overlap.
Fly halt Milindu Jayasundara, centres Harsha Samaranayake, Tehan Karunanayake and the two speedy wingers Janindu Ratnayake and Amith Kulatunga are capable of tearing apart the Wesley defence and help Trinity to emerge triumphant.
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