Will Trinity maintain winning streak?
 

by Chris Dhambarage

Trinity College Kandy will be hoping to maintain their unbeaten record in the current inter-school rugby season when they take on Isipatana College in their annual rugby encounter at Havelock Park today.

The Trinitians are currently enjoying a fantastic year having notched up seven successive victories and they are also strong contenders for the Singer 'C' division league title. They have made a clean sweep in all tournament fixtures and have collected a massive 224 points from their four outings.

Last week too they made a tremendous impact where they annihilated both Carey College and Prince of Wales College Moratuwa with ease while crossing the fifty point mark on both occasions in Colombo.

However the Trinitians may be really disappointed that they are not competing in the top division because even if they remain unbeaten throughout the season they could win only the 'C' division title which certainly does not reflect their talent and potential.

Trinity College made their presence felt in the very first outing when they came from behind to beat St. Peter's College in a close encounter at Bambalapitiya. But their best effort probably came in the match against S. Thomas' College Mount Lavinia where they rose to the occasion with a stunning performance to win a thrilling encounter 17-5 at Havelock Park.

The Trinitians never looked back from there onwards and went on to win their remaining matches quite convincingly. Last year too they had the opportunity of beating Isipatana in Kandy and will be hoping for a repeat performance. The two schools have certainly figured in some of the most thrilling and memorable encounters in the past.

But unfortunately this year's contest will most probably turn out to be a one sided contest considering the two teams performances this season and their build up for this game.

While Trinity College Kandy are on the verge of earning the tag as the unofficial school champions for 2005, their opponents Isipatana College are still in the process of building up the side.

Even then Isipatana could be quite pleased with their performances this season because they are fielding a young inexperienced outfit.

They have won three matches against Dharmaraja, St. Sylvester's and Science College and lost only one against St. Anthony's College Kandy in the 'B' division league tournament.

Ananda College will have a great chance of recording their second victory when they take on Royal College in their Singer 'A' division league rugby tournament match at the Royal College Sports Complex today. The Anandians are currently placed fifth in the points table and will be determined to further boost their chances in their attempt to qualify for the knock out tournament.

They had the better of St. Joseph's College last week having earlier gone down to Wesley College and Kingswood College Kandy.

This game is also an important one for Royal because they are currently placed six out of seven teams in the points table and are in real danger of being demoted into the 'B' division. They have just a solitary victory to their credit against St. Joseph's College which they won by the narrowest margin of one point 14-13 last week on their home grounds.

Last year of course Royal won the match by a convincing margin but this time they are certain to receive some stiff opposition and a close game could be expected.