Isipatana and Anthonians move in for the kill during rugby’s Super Round

By A Special Sports Correspondent

Reigning champions Isipatana together with St. Peter’s, Royal and giant killers St. Anthony’s will vie for honours when the Super Round of the under 19 inter-school league rugby tournament commences this week and continues into weekend.

On Friday (August 11) St. Peter’s will play against St. Anthony’s at Bambalapitiya in what would turn out to be a fast running game because both sides have back division players who have shown the will to run at every given opportunity. One of the bonuses for St. Peter’s is that last season’s skipper Sudesh Jayawickreme has found his form and contributed to the side’s successes this season. The Peterites produced some memorable wins and their moment of glory came in the opening match of the season which was against Royal; easily the much feared and most improved side in the schools rugby tournament. The Peterites are led by Ashen Madugasge and coached by Sanath Martis.

Much is expected of The Anthonians during this stage of the tournament because the only side in the Super Round from the Central Hills have performed amazingly under skipper Sahan Keerthisiri. Some of their giant killing performances this season came against S.Thomas’ and St. Joseph’s; the latter being considered as one of their most convincing victories in school rugby. The Anthonians are coached by Sri Lanka player SrianthSooriyabandara.

Critics believe that Royal have improved themselves to such an extent they could be in with a chance of winning the league title this season. Led by Randul Senanayake the Royalists underscored their prowess in school rugby in no uncertain terms when they beat Trinity convincingly in the return leg of the Bradby Shield and raised their hopes for a podium finish. Royal are coached by Dushanth Lewke.

Royal’s game against Isipatana this weekend (August 11) will also serve as a traditional fixture between the two schools. The two teams will clash for the Major Milroy Fernando Trophy. Isipatana carry the biggest hopes this season as the reigning champions. They are unbeaten so far and have beaten all the top sides including St. Anthony’s. Their most significant victory came against D.S Senanayake College when the latter was playing so well and threatening to unsettled all the leading teams in their group. The Green Jerseys are led by Nuwan Kanishka and coached by Saliya Kumara.

St. Peter’s College rugby pool- A.Madugasge (Captain), K.Tharindu, Windya de Mel, S.Jayawickrema, M.Wishmitha, D.Ranasinghe, R.Ranithu, D.Navodya, S.Gamage, S.Perera, S.Gallage, S.Aruldasa, A.Fernando, E.Jayaweera, P.Thakshila, P.Himansa, D.Dilsara, H.Shihara, P.Perera, P.Silva

St. Anthony’s College rugby pool: S. Kothalawela, T. Gallanga, S. Athukorala, R. Pillai, Y. Gamage, S. Kotuwila, A. Rashik, J. Realando, Sithum Perera, O. Guneratne, Sahan Keerthisiri (Captain), O. Dissanayake, R. Welagedara, Tyron Mariyadas, Roshen Kumar, M. Amjath, A. Munasinghe, S. Senaratne, A. Aneez, Chirantha Fernando, D.Woods, M.Shimak, M.Fernando

Isipathana College rugby pool: S.Senarathne,  Kenula Mhisara, S.Arawagoda, Shakib Zumri, N.Thahir, C.Iroshan, G.Maneth, Nisaja Jayaweera, Shehandu de Costa, Naveen, Kanishka (Captain), Shahid Zumri, T.Ranawera, Rinesh Silva, H.Randimal, Kalindu Silva, D. Hansidu, L. Mapitigama, Chamindu Chirath, M.Devan, A.Azeez, M.Ransaja

Royal College rugby pool: T.Gamage, I.Azeer, H.Hussein, B.Malalagama, Y.Rajasinghe, Randul Senanayake (Captain), Y.Senewirathne, T.Hassen, Simak Shafeek, Thivain Perera, C.Senewirathne, P.Samarakoon, Philio Calyanarathne, Disas Pathirana, Nabel Yahiya, A.Akram, R.John, Y.Weerasuriya, Y.Ethugala, C.Samarasinghe, H.Hussein, N.Mohammed, D.Gamanayake.