This is it. Its within sight, and there for the taking. We’re now down to that last two weeks of action in the 2017 schools’ league, and it looks like it could go right down to the wire.
This time around, we have as many as four schools still very much in the hunt to win the Cup championship. This is a rarity. From a rugby standpoint, this is huge, as it shows just how much the game (at least at school level) has improved. In the years gone by, it used to be very much a two-horse race at best. This alone makes for some intriguing viewing over the next couple of weeks.
In this article, I share my views on the prospects of the teams that make up a four-way charge for the crown. I firmly believe that each of these schools have what it takes to beat anyone on their day. However, momentum is an important aspect when you go into these closing stages. This might just prove to be the difference. Let’s take a closer look at how the teams are shaping up.
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Trinity College
After their humbling experience at the hands of St. Peter’s, Trinity did well to come out on the right side of the result against a tough Josephian team. I was a bit surprised, but not shocked to see the Kandy team rest some of their key players. Surprised because it was a game the Lions simply had to win to stay on course, after misfiring at Bambalpitiya the previous week. But I could also well understand the need to give your players adequate time to recover. Especially given that teams like Royal and Trinity always have one eye on the Bradby. Furthermore, one must consider that this team has travelled to Colombo six times! Mind boggling. That travel time alone is bound to have an impact on the body.
So, the likes of Lashan Wijesuriya and playmaker Diluksha Dange started on the bench. It was a high risk move that, and almost backfired when St. Josephs refused to back down, and returned fire with fire. The first half ended with the Josephians having their noses in front – leading 17-15. The fact that Trinity didn’t have an able place kicker on the field really hurt them, as they left so many conversion points out on the field. Come the second half, the introduction of Wijesuriya saw the initiative wrestled back by Trinity and they did well to keep a vastly improved Joes team at bay.
When I wrote about Trinity at the completion of the first round, I saw them as overwhelming favourites. However, I do feel that the Lions have lost a bit of momentum – at the worst possible time. Injury has also played a part. Losing the talented Avishka Sheik has been a big blow. Furthermore, Dange looks to be carrying a bit of a niggle, which is also a worry. Another weak link that becomes more and more apparent is their Captain Nathan Yee. Trinity have decided to play him in the third row this season – a promotion of sorts from the front row, where he is more accustomed to playing. From the evidence seen thus far, Yee is simply not a natural loose forward. His supporting lines are week, and the less spoken about his defense the better. At this level, you get found out fast.
All said, I still believe that the Lions are still the favourites to win the league. They have loads of fire power across the park to breakdown defenses. Worren Weerakone never fails to break the first tackle, and coupled with Dange in mid-field, would prove a very potent pairing. Furthermore, they play their last two games, against arguably the toughest opposition at home. This in itself is a huge advantage.
Isipathana College
Defending Champions Isipathana didn’t have it all their own way against S. Thomas’. They were uncharacteristically slack with their passing that stalled their prowess over parts of that game. Furthermore, you could see that they didn’t particularly enjoy it when the Thomians slowed down the game, and kept using their bigger forwards to ‘pick and go’. Trinity no doubt will take note of this, and will look to take advantage of their physical superiority.
Coach Lasintha De Costa will have learnt from last week, and I’m sure will prepare his charges for a tough battle upfront. They’re most dangerous when they get good ‘go forward’ ball. Scrum Half Harith Bandara is a master of recycling the ball quickly from the breakdown, which in turn gives his dangerous outside backs room to exploit the spaces out wide. This is where they hurt you. What’s most heartening for ‘Green Machine’ fans is the form of Captain Sumudhu Rankothge, and their Fly Half Randy Silva. They form the perfect foil for star Full Back Chamodh Fernando, who has been one of the players of the season.
Isipathana will travel to Kandy this week, and they have to believe in themselves. No doubt plenty of support will follow from Colombo. They will see this game as their final. It’s a must that they keep possession of the ball. If they do, tries will come. In defense, they must be brave, and make sure they make their first-time tackles.
IF Pathana beats Trinity, they will win the league.
Wesley College
Their capitulation against Trinity on that opening weekend now seems a distant memory. And barring that blip against Kingswood a few weeks ago, the ‘Double Blues’ have gone from strength to strength this season. They were clearly the better side against both St. Joseph’s and St. Peter’s, and will go into this week’s game against Royal with a lot of confidence.
The Lee twins have been their main playmakers. Avishka Lee, in particular, has been in sizzling form – both, with the boot and ball in hand. His sniping runs from the base has had the opposition at sixes and sevens. Mention must also be made of Number Eight Ashan Fernando who has been a pivotal part of their attacking play.
After many a season, Wesley have one of the most balanced sides this year. Experienced forwards Vinu Gamage and Shamail Amit have provided a good foundation in the front row, which has provided a good platform for the likes of the Lee’s and Skipper Denister Goonetilleke to attack from.
However, whilst they look good with ball in hand, their defense remains far from convincing. They were much more resolute last week against St. Peter’s, which is an encouraging step. This week, they are away to Royal, where nothing short of their best will be required if they are to prevail. After that first week meeting with Trinity, this will undoubtedly be their most physically challenging test. The question to ask is, do Wesley have enough to compete with Royal over eighty minutes? Many teams have asked questions of Royal. To date, all but Isipathana have failed to see it over the line. Cries of ‘Zam zam Zake’ will ring out loud as the battle gets underway. Whether Wesley have the stomach for what will be a hugely physical encounter remains to be seen.
Royal College
Starting off the season on a somber note, and finishing off on a high seems to be the Royal way. We see this season after season. But today, Sanath Martis’ Royal team are the most ‘in-form’ team in my opinion. They proved to be far too good for S. Thomas’ in their first second round game, and then simply decimated Zahira last weekend. Ovin Askey leads the side from the front. As a Skipper he’s been superb – authoritative, but yet a calming influence when the pressure is on.
Royal’s most potent weapon remains the rolling mall, a fine art perfectly instilled by Dushanth Leuke, their forwards Coach. Unless disrupted immediately, it is almost impossible to stop them from rummaging forward. This makes them so dangerous when they have a lineout anywhere in or close to the opposition ‘22’. Hooker Hamza Reeza and Number Eight Lennox Kalyanaratne have been impressive with ball in hand. However, the Reid Avenue boys are far from being a one-dimensional team. Centre Janidu Dilshan has been simply outstanding, and Sabith Feroze out on the wing certainly knows his way to the chalk. Askey plays a pivotal role in controlling territory, and deciding when to go out wide.
How they will rue that loss to Isipathana, especially when you consider they contributed greatly towards their own downfall that day. But this Royal team is a different side today. They are playing at home against Wesley, which is quite an advantage. They will be hoping that their forwards do the business up front, which would then see gaps open across the field for the likes of Dilshan to exploit.
The Royal juggernaut has now gathered momentum, and will take some stopping.
Sadly, the remaining teams – St. Joseph’s, St. Peter’s, S. Thomas’, and Zahira are out of the running. A battle for fifth place remains, with the Josephians the favourites to grab it on current form. Much was expected of this Joes team this year given the considerable investments made. The Peterites seem to save themselves for giant-killing heroics alone. Apart from being exceptional against Isipathana and Trinity, they have been ordinary in all their other outings.
Last years’ runners-up S. Thomas’ have been disappointing too. They play both Saints schools on consecutive weekends. If they come up short in both those games, it will be the first time in quite a while where they end a season without any silverware to show.
Who do I think is going to win the league? That’s a tough one. My gut feeling is that it could well go to the final weekend, with the first leg of the Bradby being the decider.
Time will tell.
