Milo Schools President's trophy rugby

Last chance for Wesley to make an impact

by Chris Dhambarage

Wesley College will probably have their last chance to make an impression this season when they take on their traditional Rivals Kingswood College Kandy in the Milo Schools President's Trophy knock-out Rugby Tournament first semi-final match at Longden Place today. Kick off is at 5.00 p.m.

The Wesleyites after a promising start failed to keep their reputation and were surprisingly pushed to the fourth place in the 'A' Division League Championship. But now they seem to be returning back to form and their emphatic 31 points to five victory over Ananda College in the quarter-finals is a clear indication that they are strong contenders for the title.

The Wesleyites would certainly like to forget the past because they managed to register just three victories in the league tournament and also lost to the same opponents in Kandy which was also the first leg of the Blaze Shield annual encounter. But this time Wesley College will have the advantage of performing in front of their home crowd and feels that they have a very good chance of making it to the final.

Incidentally the Kingswoodians did not look the same side as they were during the league tournament and really struggled to beat a fighting Thurstan College outfit in their quarterfinal fixture. Kingswood of course are heading for a grand double having already clinched the 'A' Division league championship with an unbeaten record. As a result the pressure will be on them because they are faced with a tough task of maintaining their reputation this season.

In contrast the Wesleyites have nothing to lose in this game but a victory will certainly lift their morale ahead of the final on October 8. Their biggest task will be to contain the Kingswood three quarters who have really made their presence felt through some outstanding contributions throughout the season.

The Wesleyites will need to keep possession with them for long as possible because they too possess a superb backline which is capable of penetrating any defence.

Isipatana favourites

Meanwhile Isipatana College look set to enter the Milo Schools Premier Trophy knock-out tournament final when they confront Zahira College in the first semi-final at Havelock Park today. Kick off is at 5.00 p.m. Isipatana will be determined to produce an improved performance after overcoming the unfacied Lumbini MV team by a solitary point in the quarterfinal match played earlier at Longden Place.

They probably underestimated their opponents as Lumbini MV had recorded just two victories in the 'C' Division Tournament and almost paid the penalty at the end.

Zahira College of course made it to the semi-finals thanks to a walk over received from St. Sylvester's College who pulled out from the tournament along with Vidyartha College and Trinity College Kandy. The Sylvestrians would have certainly offered some stiff resistance to Isipatana who are now cruising towards the final without any great difficulties.

In comparison the second semi-final match in the Milo Schools Premier Trophy tournament between Nalanda College and Science College, Mount Lavinia should turn out to be a close contest as both teams have produced some good performance in the recently concluded league tournament.

Science College probably had the better track record where they notched up three good victories and also held Thurstan College to a draw while competing in the 'B' Division Tournament. They eventually finished in the fourth place in the points table behind the league champions St. Anthony's College, Thurstan College and Isipatana College.

Nalanda College although competing in the 'C' Division Tournament experienced mixed fortunes while recording four good victories from six outings. They can be really pleased with their performances because they had the credit of finishing third in the final points table.