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Thomians and Antonians in grudge battle today

by Chris Dhambarage

S. Thomas' College Mount Lavinia and St. Anthony's College Kandy will revive their rivalry once again when the two schools clash in the opening match of the Milo President's trophy knock out inter school rugby tournament at the CR and FC grounds, Longden Place today.

This will be the second time this season the two teams will be playing together and another rousing game is certainly on the cards. The Thomians no doubt will have a psychological advantage having defeated the Antonians in their Singer inter school 'A' division league tournament match played at Havelock Park just two weeks ago. The Thomians also went on to win the Rev. Farther Angello Rosetti trophy which was on offer for the first time.

S. Thomas' have made a tremendous improvement in their last couple of outings which has made them as one of the strong contenders to reach the final. This is a creditable performance considering the fact that they had a very poor start to the season while losing four matches in a row.

Last year too they had a similar experience but bounced back in style to make a great impact during the latter stages of the season. This time they were in danger of being demoted into the 'B' division after having failed to win a single game at the half way mark of the tournament.

But they got their act together well at the correct time and went on to beat Isipatana and St. Anthony's which helped them to finish in the fifth place in the final points tally.

They began to show signs of improvement in the match against Isipatana where they staged a remarkable comeback to snatch a thrilling victory from the jaws of defeat. This result certainly did a lot of good to the Thomians as they lifted their morale and then brought down the Antonians with another magnificent performance.

In contrast St. Anthony's College have failed to maintain that same form which they displayed at the beginning of the season. They made a rousing start to the 'A' division league tournament while overcoming the reigning champions Royal College 14-13 in one of the most thrilling games played in the current inter school season. But since then the Antonians have proved nothing going down to their home town rivals Kingswood College and Wesley College.

Even then the Antonians will be out to avenge their previous defeat despite the odds been against them. They have a daunting task no doubt because the Thomians are now playing better rugby having got their act together well. S. Thomas' will be depending on their forwards to deliver the goods with dynamic number eight Namal Rajapaksa and last years captain Karthelis as the two key players.

The second quarterfinal between Kingswood College Kandy and St. Sylvester's College will be played on Friday in Kandy. The Kingswoodians are hoping to complete a double having already clinched the Singer 'A' division league tournament with an unbeaten record. The Sylvestrians made their entry into the quarterfinals in the absence of St. Peter's College.

The last two quarterfinals will be worked off on August 18 at the Sugathadasa Stadium with Wesley College meeting the 'B' division league champions St. Joseph's College and Ananda taking on Isipatana. The two semifinals are scheduled for August 27 at Longden Place and the final on September 4 at Reid Avenue or at the Bogambara Stadium.

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