So the penultimate week was over with some fine team performances. So many players shift their positions in attack and defense. Here is a look at the team of the week.
Position : Loose head prop
Name: Rahal Delpachitra
School: St. Peter’s College
He was so hungry to make the most of the yards and especially when he was in the opposite red zone. Was a pillar of strength in the scrum also setting up as a lock and clearing the rucks. Good ball carrying communication with his partner Yapa as they two worked the ball quite often.
Position: Hooker
Name: Ravin Yapa
School: St. Peter’s College
Yapa played a gem of a game in week eight against Wesley, he scored two good tries and showed some charisma and greed to run with the ball. Was also good with the lineouts and in defense. Pandula De Silva of S.Thomas’ also had a superb game at times he played as half back more than a hooker at the breakdowns, but Yapa’s impact for peterites win was more effective.
Position: Tight head prop
Name: Isuru Ekanayake
School: Isipathana College
Superb in attack and equally well in defense. He stood up with the mighty Royal challenge. He used his body position well in contact, was too good than his opposite number Ayesh Maduranga on that day.
Position: Lock
Name: Adeesha Weerathunge
School: Isipathana College
He created the very first problem pressurizing the Royal lineouts, as a result Royal lost almost 5 lineouts. He was also spectacular in the restart where he made a lovely high ball retention. Although he wear’s number 6 on his shirt he played most of the game as a lock, therefore, he gets the well earn spot for his brilliant performance.
Position: Lock
Name: Harith Senanayake
School: S. Thomas’ College
He had a great time with making few yards running and in the lineout, just one missed lineout that mainly due to the not so accurate throw. He was good in week seven as well and his performance in the finale will be vital.
Position: Blind side flanker
Name: Shane Gurusinghe
School: St. Peter’s College
Has been great with ball carrying and in the breakdown for the Peterites. He was a consistent performer that evening against Wesley. Everytime he had the ball in hand he made the meters, when he was in defense rushing in a glimpse, good in after tackle contest as well.
Position: Open side flanker
Name: Christian De Lile
School: S.Thomas’s College
Few turnovers in the breakdown, eager to take quick tap and make few meters in penalties and a try under his name. He did not allow any room to his opposite number Janith Laksara. De Lile also reading the game well, perhaps he needs to improve completing a tackle rather than few half tackles, hence which might cause the ball carrier to still get up and run.
Position: No 8
Name: Shalindra Alahakoon
School: Trinity College
He has been improved a lot since week four and his hat-trick of tries speaks the volume. So good in the set-pieces and strong busty running in the open play. Vageesha Weerasinghe and Nikhil Gunadeera played well, but as Alahakoon for week eight.
Position: Scrum half
Name: Avishka Heenpella
School: St. Peter’s College
He was bright as his pink boots, he almost stole a Wesley pass for an interception try. His awareness was great and skillset was brilliant. He made lovely breaks and after got tackled still manage to release the ball on the floor then pick and run legitimately. Also he foxed his defensive line to score a deserved try. Shenal Silva of S.Thomas’and Anuka Boyagoda of Trinity also had an impressive game.
Position: Fly half
Name: Samuel Maduwantha
School: St. Anthony’s College
Well 18 points (1T 2C 2P 1DG) that’s a masterclass performance for the Eagles despite their defeat. That 53m drop goal was so effortless. He has suck all the knowledge of his coach Nalaka Weerakkody. Showed his kicking ability and the running game with a superb try.
Position: Left wing
Name: Ranidu Padmasankha
School: Isipathana College
Diluksha Dange was good for Trinity so as Chamodh Fernando for Isipathana, but Padmasanka scored two vital tries in a vital game with his number 14 shirt on. He has played right and left wing before and he gets his place for this week for that stellar performance.
Position: Inside center
Name: Ashwantha Herath
School: S.Thomas’ College
Although when he made contact on Science little scrum half Madumadawa who stole the ball from Herath, still Herath made a fine statement with his power play. His conversion kicks with angels was a treat to watch. St. Peter’s duo Sandesh Jayawickrama and Theekshana Dasanayake also shifted places in 12/13 improved combination, however, no center pair is as good as Isipathana’s Kushan Idunil and Rankothge this season.
Position: Outside Center
Name: Sumudhu Rankothge
School: Isipathana College
Was mentioned about his running angels in the week eight preview and he delivered it. Outstanding play scoring two tries, including the fend and the support play was too good to watch. Awantha Lee of Wesley also another spark with the number 13 shirt.
Position: Right Wing
Name: Naveen Hena’kankanamage
School: S. Thomas’ College
Highest try scorer this season with 11 of them under his name, has been on song through-out the league. He is unstoppable and he has one last hurdle this weekend, can he make it? He is so good with his left foot steps and fend offs. With his first touch he almost made a 12m run taking three science players and scored two tries in week 8.
Position: Full back
Name: Diyath Fernando
School: St. Peter’s College
Once gain his dazzling footwork came in to action, his running game led to lift the momentum for the Peterites. Gayan Wickramarathne of Isipathana also had controlled game despite two early knock-ons, Mayon Jayawardene of S.Thomas’also made few yards, but overall it’s Diyath’s weekend.
