The under U16 All Island tournament kicked off at two venues today in the hill capital. The tournament was supposed to include a total number of 33 teams in a total of 8 groups. Groups A,B,C and D sorting their group winners out at the Digana Grounds and the rest of the groups E,F,G and H sorting who goes to the quarters at the Pallekale rugby stadium. At the end of an eventful day of 20 minute rugby matches St.Peters, Kingswood, Vidyartha, Trinity, Royal Colombo, Wesley, Science and Dharmaraja managed to remain unbeaten as they diminished all other sides with ease. These teams will now face each other in the quarter finals tomorrow morning with the first match being scheduled at 8 am between St.Peters College and Vidyartha College.
The breath taking game of the day was held between Vidyartha College Kandy and St.Josephs College Colombo. The game ended 22 points to 19 in favour of Vidyartha who managed to knock the Joes out into the bowl segment. Vidyartha remain the surprise package of the tournament. The game between Kingswood College and St.Anthony’s also took people’s attention as two home town rivals locked horns however the favourites Kingswood College won the game 24 points to 05.
St.Peters was the only team to play 4 matches as the group A included a total of 5 matches. The defending champs won all 4 matches pretty easily to set up the first quarter final. Piliyandala MV managed to secure the second spot of group A. Group B included Kingswood, Anthony’s, St.Anne and Maliyadeva. Kingswood easily managed to win the group as Antonians became the group runners up. Vidyartha manage to overcome the favourites St.Joseph’s to win the group C as Joes managed to secure the second spot. Early in the day they managed to thump a 70 nil win over Maliyadeva Kurunegala. Dharmaraja won the group D with ease as Lumbini became runners’ up. They won both their games 63 nil and 36 nil.
A notable absentee of the tournament were the rugby giants Isipathana College. Trinity and Royal won their groups “D and H” rather easily as DS Senanayake and Prince of Wales managed the second spot. Royal looks a tough team to beat. They will meet Science College early in the morning tomorrow. Trinity on the other hand looked very organized in defence. Wesley and Science were the other worthy winners of the remaining two groups as Zahira and Thurstan had to settle with the second spot.
The day 02 will be held tomorrow at the Pallekale rugby stadium as it will host the quarters for both the cup and bowl. Early morning stunners as Peterites take on Vidyartha followed by Kingswood taking on Dharmaraja. Later Royal Trinity Wesley and Science battling it out for a spot in the semis.
