Power-packed Peterites - knock-out Isipatana power!

Ken de Joodt

RUGBY: It was sheer joy to watch two power-packed teams trying desperately hard to diffuse each other’s strength and energy, with quick ‘switches’ in tactics and variations of play - when Isipatana ‘power’ matched-up against the School’s Rugby ‘super-power’ - St. Peter’s College, Colombo.

On Saturday, September 29, the much-awaited rugby “knock-out” final for the prestigious “President’s Trophy” - in the school’s “A” Division encounter, between Isipatana and St. Peter’s College, turned out to be a ‘sizzler’! This match had the capacity crowd at the Royal Sports Complex, frequently ‘tossing up’ from their seats, standing to their feet - and enjoying the delightful aroma, arising from a ‘hot buffet’ of splendid School Rugby!

From the score-card, it can be seen that both teams played excellently, with a high ‘work-rate’ performance, running down some good tries, putting over a few penalties, to give St. Peter’s a classic victory by 23 points to Isipatana’s 13 pts.

Fine fitness training and well practiced skills, were the key factors that made the difference, which enabled them to penetrate the solid defence of the Isipatana team. It was the usual play of St. Peters, to ‘consolidate’ and ‘support’ that worked well together, with good handling of the ball to enhance the continuity of movements.

Isipatana too did well to keep-up the momentum at their own steady pace, maintaining their ‘power’ style of fast, strong running and combination of forwards and backs. At the commencement of the game, they looked impressive, fitter and tougher! There they were! - two outstanding teams who have been consistent in their play and produced purpose-driven rugby, this year.

A very high standard of quality rugby was on show, with both sides taking the right ‘options’, creating good positional play and handling the ball in a much superior fashion (than seen in the game played in the ‘Club Final’ - the previous week!). Their variations of kicking in the run of play often paid dividends, with deep kick-aheads and ‘cross-kicks’ intended for their swift three-quarters to collect and score.

It appeared to be an even ‘contest’ in the line-outs, rucks and mauls, while some of the Peterite forward ‘drives’ were executed effectively, to gain good ground. There were the bold moves made in running the ball from their own 22 metre line when under pressure, giving their players space and opportunities to ‘open up’ play and to turn a defensive situation into an attacking move.

Burly prop-forward Arjuna Bopitiya played a splendid game for St. Peter’s, being fearless in attack and inspiringly led the forwards with good support from Harendra Ariyawardena - they were a force to reckon with! Irfan Meedin and skipper Ranuka Jayasinghe scored two fine tries, while Isipatana captain Damith Udayanga scored a great try for his side.

As always a vital necessity to any team, is a reliable place-kicker, who would be consistent from the very first minute to the last minute of the game. St. Peter’s had Harshana Weerakody and Isipatana’s Reza Mubarak, as two good kickers who have taken time to perfect the ‘art’ and techniques of kicking through dedicated daily practice.

Throughout this season, St. Peter’s have played a superlative brand of Rugby, which has brought them tremendous success, being the unbeaten School’s Champions in the Singer League. In addition to their trained individual skills, the team has been well disciplined. Even Isipatana exhibited a good ‘work-rate’ in every department of play - with a high level of sportsmanship.... Well Done! To both teams!

It was the Peterite captain Ranuka Jayasinghe, who led by example and the team’s desire to get together and pray before every match - in keeping with St. Peter’s belief in the Lord Jesus Christ.

After every game, they rallied round once more, to ‘give thanks’ to a living God - and the truth is that God answered their prayers of faith. It was so evident that St. Peter’s payed hard, played better, concentrated on their fitness and disciplines and God helped them with the power to ‘knock-out’ the opposition!

In the midst of a massive crowd of rugby fans and spectators present, were the jubilant supporters of St. Peter’s College and an overjoyed Rector Rev. Father Travis Gabriel, their delighted coach Sanath Martis, OBA President Suranga Seneviratne, SPC rugby foundation President Ronnie Guneratne and members of the Old Boys’ Association.

Also present was active ‘smiling’ Secretary Sujith Silva, who said that this victory in 2007 is another historic achievement for the ‘Peterites’, as it is a repetition of being the schools double champions in 2006. Now, it brings greater glory to St. Peter’s, by winning the “double” for a second year in succession!

Moreover, St. Peter’s is currently celebrating their “75th Anniversary of school rugby” from 1932 to 2007! It has been the hard working Peterite OBA Committee, with the full support of the school authorities and the new rugby foundation, that has surely encouraged and motivated the rugby team, to give of their best this year too.

In providing the equipment and the required facilities, it will ensure that the development of the sport will continue, with further improvements in standards and achievements, across all age levels in rugby at St. Peter’s College - to produce high quality players for “SPC” and Sri Lanka in the future!

It was a good match for referee Aruna Jayasekera, who handled some tough decisions, as one of Sri Lanka’s most experienced referees.