Can the Lions ambush the Petes?

In payback for the astonishing turn of events last year, the second longest continuous school’s rugby fixture rivalry will re-energize the action-packed rugby this weekend as Trinity host St. Peter’s in a blockbuster clash at the Pallekale Rugby Stadium for the 77th Deshamanya Denis Perera trophy.

By far one off the most entertaining rugby encounters, the Trinity-Peterite fixture has savored some exciting rugby in true spirit and sportsmanship. Played first in 1933, Trinity secured the first win under the captaincy of Eddie Buultjens 59-0. Over the years, the encounters have been an important fixture for both teams in their respective rugby calendars.

In the year 2014, a trophy was introduced for the encounter in memory of the former Army Commander Lieutenant General Deshamanya Denis Perera, who was a Peterite alumnus, in commemoration of his contribution to the sport and the country.

Since then 4 encounters have been played for the trophy out of which 3 have been in favour of St. Peter’s College while Trinity won the inaugural encounter in Pallekale in 2014. In total both schools have met on 7 different occasions and Trinity College lead the tally with 52 wins while St. Peter’s College have 18 wins. Six matches have ended in a draw.

• Trophy Results 

• Last year

Trinity’s memory of taking the trip to Bamba last year must still be a nightmare as the Peterites surprised Trinity, eventually costing them a much awaited 33-year-old league title at the end of the season with that defeated suffered. Diyath Fernando’s men kept their composure in the particular game after a pretty poor season by their standards to take down the unbeaten favorites 15-13.

Lions tamed at Bambalapitiya!

Lashan Wijesuriya kicked off the game at Bambalapitiya under perfect conditions. The first quarter of the game…

• Form

The Peterites may not have a big buffer at topping the table in the segment B having enjoyed the consistency of 5 straight wins. With ball in hand they have been lethal running the length of the field rather easily with split-second decisions and fancy passes exploiting the gaps. The Peterites are potentially the in-form team, they were tested by Isipathana mid-way through but added three tries in the process.

The Lions have managed only two wins, both at home, against the Antonians and the depleted Thomian outfit from Mount Lavinia, while they have lost to Royal, twice if the Bradby is taken into account, Kingswood and Joes. Possession from set-pieces, breakdown and the forwards play will favour the Trinitians as Peterites hardly commit more than two of their players in to the rucks allowing potential turn-overs.

Players to watch out for.

Jason Karunarathne

Peterite scrum-half Jason Karunarathne has been a key contributor in mastering try scoring assists in the first round of the Singer Rugby League. He has been involved in 10 tries in 2018, scoring four himself and providing even more assists for others. His distribution will be key for the backs to exploit gaps while Peterites will depend on him to control the game through the fringes and the corners. He would also be confident given that he was deemed ThePapare.com man of the match in the previous encounter.

Shehan Liyanapathirana

The top points scorer in the Singer league will have a huge responsibility from the kicking tee to add the crucial extras. Trinity have been the worst team at kicking this season, it took them 8 tries to add the first extras in the league. Hence Liyanapathirana will play a pivotal role in adding the important penalties and territorial clearances maneuvering the wind factor.

Praveenda Wijethilake

The Trinity hero in the second leg of the Bradby has a huge responsibility to repeat his heroics to penetrate the Peterite defence through his barging runs and hefty ward-offs.

Vishwa Ranaraja

Ranaraja has been by far the player of the Trinity season. His pace is lethal, ability to out-burn any winger in the competition. Peter’s will have to mitigate the Ranaraja speed factor if they are to survive in the spacious Pallekale grounds to run in and through.

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• Final Say

Peter’s will be travelling to the Hill capital in hope of nothing less than a victory walking-out as clear-cut favorites on Saturday. Trinity on the hand would have been boosted by their performance against the Royalists in the second leg of the Bradby, biding their time to pay back the Peterites for last year. Come a heavy down-pour the Trinitians will have the upper hand while if sun prevails the Peterites will use their backs to run the length of the field. All in all, given both teams records Peters’ might edge out the Trinitians 22-15 and ThePapare.com will be bringing you live action from the 4th Deshamanya Denis Perera trophy on 12th of May 2018 4.00p.m. onwards from Pallekale.