Do or die for Royal; Isipathana, St. Peter’s look to stay unbeaten in Super Round

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Group winners and runners-up of the 1st Round meet in the Super Round of the Dialog Schools’ Rugby League with favourites Isipathana and St. Peter’s aim to remain unbeaten in week 8.

Royal College and St. Anthony’s would be aiming to spoil the party for Isipathana and Peter’s, however, both will need to win in the 1st week of the Super Round, no way task against the only two unbeaten sides in the tournament.

11th August – St. Peter’s College vs St. Anthony’s College at SPC Grounds

Unbeaten St. Peter’s host underdogs St. Anthony’s College in what promises to be a thrilling clash.

The visitors possess a formidable back-line, and if the Antonians are to make anything out of this game, their three-quarters will no doubt have to put their hands up and play some eye-catching rugby.

With one eye on the League title, St. Peter’s will need to be careful not to slip up against the Antonians, who have little to no chance of going all the way to the title, but could prove to be a obstacle.

If the Antonians are to stand a chance, skipper Sahan Keerthisiri will have to pull the strings from the onset, and hope that he has one of his better kicking performance.

Early points for the hosts will see them run away with it, but for the visitors, nothing short of a perfect game will be needed in the face of an all-round Peterite line-up.

Prediction: SPC to win by 10 points or more

12th August – Royal College vs Isipathana College at Royal Complex

This one will surely be a game worth the price you pay!

The Bradby winners will host the Green Machines in what is a do or die game for the Royalists. The game has added reward as it is played for the Major Milroy Fernando trophy.

Royal comes in following a moral-boosting victory against arch-rivals Trinity, however, on League form, Isipathana clearly has the upper-hand, coming into the Super Round unbeaten.

However, with Royal coming in with momentum and Isipathana having a break following the 1st round of the league, it could be a toss up to see who is better prepared for the clash.

The Royal forwards will have to keep the ball tight and close to them and reduce aimless kicking to a potent Isipathana backline. The maul, of course will be a major threat once again and it will be interesting to see if the Greens have an answer.

On the flip side, Isipathana will be looking to play more of a running game, with a talented and speedy backline at their disposal.

The result in this game will decide whether Royal go into the final week with a chance to win the title or if Isipathana go through with a chance to make it two in a row.

Prediction: Isipathana to win by 8-points or more

Watch the action LIVE on ThePapare.com on the 11th and 12th of August as four titans of Schools rugby arena reach the final push towards a League title.