Petes - Thomians in vital clash
Chris DHAMBARAGE
RUGBY: A rousing game of rugby is on the cards when two top
teams St. Peter’s College and S. Thomas’ College Mount Lavinia battle it
out for the Archibald Perera memorial trophy in their annual inter
school rugby encounter at Bambalapitiya today.
The kick off is at 4.30 p.m. Both teams have made a good start to the
new inter school rugby season and have already made their intentions
quite clear.
The Peterites humiliated St. Anthony’s College Kandy by 33 points to
three points last week in their opening fixture and look set to retain
the Singer ‘A’ division league title for the second successive year.
The Thomians looked equally brilliant in their opening encounter last
week as they defeated Trinity College Kandy by 19 points to 15 points to
regain the Canon R. S. de Saram Shield after a lapse of three years.
They seem to have found the right combination with the inclusion of
some new talent as they begin to redeem some of their lost prestige.
In fact the Thomians did not enjoy a successful season last year as
they were placed fifth in the final points table having notched up just
two victories.
In contrast St. Peter’s College had a memorable season as they went
on to clinch the Singer ‘A’ division league title after a lapse of ten
years.
This year too they have shown early promise and will be determined to
produce a repeat performance. However the pressure will be on the
Thomians who will be up against another tough opposition for the second
successive week.
Last year of course the Thomians experienced mixed fortunes and also
suffered a crushing 8-28 defeat at the hands of the Peterites. They made
a very promising start to the season by overcoming Zahira College by 33
points to 13 points.
The Thomians after going down to Trinity College (0-12) had the
better of Ananda College but failed to maintain the same momentum and
lost badly against Kingswood College (12-46) and St. Anthony’s College
(17-34) respectively.
The only consolation for them was at least they concluded the season
last year on a winning note defeating Thurstan College by 34 points to
nil.
The Peterites too made a poor start to the season last year where
they were beaten 6-13 at the hands of Royal College. But they picked up
their form from there onwards and went on to beat Nalanda College
(44-0), Wesley College (19-8), Thurstan College (56-7) and Ananda
College (74-3).
The Peterites of course suffered a minor setback when they went down
to Kingswood College Kandy by 26 points to 15 points but recovered
magnificently to score a thrilling 11-10 victory against St. Anthony’s
College in the ultimate match which decided the Singer ‘A’ division
league title.
Isipatana v Wesley
Meanwhile Isipatana College will confront Wesley College in another
Singer ‘A’ division league rugby tournament match at Havelock Park
today. Kick off is at 4.30 p.m.
Isipatana College will be hoping that the weather will keep fine for
this important fixture because their previous outing against Kingswood
College had to be abandoned after less than fifteen minutes of play due
to heavy rain in Kandy.
Isipatana were the runners up in the Singer ‘B’ division league
tournament last year and will be determined to maintain their supremacy
in the schools rugby scene.
The Wesleyites of course will be hoping for an improved performance
having gone down to Royal College 12-35 in their opening match last
week.
Isipatana College had a fantastic season last year where they
recorded five superb victories against St. Anthony’s College (22-8),
Science College (73-0), Vidyartha College Kandy (43-0), Dharmaraja
College Kandy (29-0) and Royal College (22-7). Their only setback was
the 13-17 defeat at the hands of arch rivals Trinity College Kandy. |