Isipatana hoping to bounce back against Peterites

Chris DHAMBARAGE

Isipatana College will be hoping to bounce back into recognition with an improved performance when they confront St. Peter’s College in a key inter school under 20 ‘A’ division league rugby tournament match at Bambalapitiya today.

Isipatana College suffered a shock 12-28 defeat at the hands of S. Thomas College Mount Lavinia and will be looking to register their first win of the tournament. Isipatana of course led 12-3 at half time in that match but threw away a great opportunity with a pathetic performance in the second quarter.

In contrast St. Peter’s College will be coming out at the backdrop of a morale boosting 61 nil triumph against Dharmaraja College Kandy last week. Even then this outing will be a real test for the Peterites who will be facing a tough opposition for the first time.

St. Peter’s College have lost some of their star players who performed successfully during the last two years and are determined to build up the side this season. Last year too St. Peter’s College had a close call before overcoming Isipatana College by a solitary point 8-7 in an absolute thriller.

With both teams keen to make a good start to the season this year’s game should turn out to be another blockbuster although St. Peter’s College will have a slight edge of performing on their home grounds.

Meanwhile the defending champions Kingswood College Kandy will take on the giant killers St. Joseph’s College in another inter school under 20 ‘A’ division league rugby tournament match at the Royal College Sports Complex grounds in Reid Avenue on Sunday.

The Josephians have already made a lasting impression by defeating Trinity College Kandy 27-24 in their opening encounter of the season at the Pallekelle Stadium last week.

Kingswood College will also take the field while brimming with confidence after having routed Mahanama College 81-10 in their opening fixture at the Bogambara Stadium last week.

However this time the Kingswoodians are certain to face an acid test and will be under tremendous pressure to maintain their reputation and unbeaten record. This will also be a good opportunity for St. Joseph’s College to further underline their superiority in the rugby field after having gained promotion into the ‘A’ division this year.

This time they will be more than determined to prove that their last week’s success was no fluke but a genuine effort which they richly deserve following some tremendous teamwork.

The teams:

St Peter’s: Johan Anderson, Salinda Mendis, Steve Nelson, Soyuru Anthony, Chathuranga Cabraal, Asitha Ratnayake, Chamith Madurawala, Shenal Dias, Rizwan Meedin and Keith Gurusinghe, Dhanushka Ranjan, Sandun Herath, Dilshan Paul (captain), Lakith Perera, Bhanuka Nanayakkara, Isuru Alwis, Devinda Fonseka, Kevin Wimaladasa, Srinath Perera.

Isipathana: Dhanushka Sooriyaarachchi, Thilina Lanka, Dinuka Dananjaya, Murshid Kuddus, Sajid Suhaid, Deshan Arachchige, Uthpala Seneviratne, Tharindu Seneviratne, Mohamed Rizwan and Prashan Attanayake, Yukesh Fonseka, Niroshan Fernando (captain), Ashan Gallage, Vishwajith Jayasinghe, Prasad Devinda.

Kingswood: Harindranath Dharmawardena, Chamila Abeygunaratne, Uchitha Jayasuriya, Mohamed Shabri, Chetiya Wadugodapitiya, Sandaruwan Fernando, Asela Abeysinghe, Rajitha Abeykoon and Mohamed Afzal, Roshan Weeraratne (captain), Sanjaya Weerasekera, Dhanushka Wijesinghe, Mohamed Fazli, Prabath Jayalath, Rajitha Sansoni, Sarika Jayaratne, Isuru Jayaratne, Indunil Bandara, Malith de Silva, Janath Dharmawardena.

St Joseph’s: Dhanuka Anthony, Mayura Sanjeewa, Jananga Silva, Thurantha Dambadeniya, Adrian Hakel, Priyan Perera (captain), Ashantha Karunaratne, Chirath Perera, Kalana de Silva and Dilan Rambukwella, Romello Perera, Malintha Soysa, Dushan Dep, Janusha Bopage, Pulina Tissera, Jeremy Kelaart, Kushan Dias, Kaveesha Mihiranga, Suren Fonseka, Charith Umayanga.