Thomian - Antonian clash for Rev. Fr.Rosatti Trophy

Chris Dhambarage

A keen tussle is expected when two top contenders S. Thomas’ College and St. Anthony’s College meet in their curtain raiser match of the Singer inter school under 20 Group A division one league rugby tournament at Mount Lavinia today. Kick off is at 4.45 p.m.

This match will be played for the Rev. Fr. Angelo Rosatti Trophy with the Antonians winning last year’s encounter at the Nittawela Stadium.

Even then this game is of great importance for both teams because they will be coming out for the first time in the new inter school season in a tournament fixture.

The Thomians of course had a fare amount of exposure during the Western Province Under 20 seven a side tournament where they had the satisfaction of winning the Plate championship. However they skipped the all island under 20 seven a side tournament mainly due to their preparations for the more important league tournament.

The Thomians had just two outings of fifteen a side rugby this season while going down against their oldboys team by 15 points to 22 points in their annual encounter played for the Flt. Lt. Jason Martenstyn Trophy. In addition they defeated Petersons Sports Club by a convincing margin of 35 points to 7 points.

The Antonians too are keen to make a good start to their campaign for the league title having experienced mixed fortunes last year.

In the recent past they have produced some outstanding players in the calibre of Priyantha Ekanayake, Laxman Ekanayake, Lasantha Wijesuriya, Jude Pillai, Leroy Fonseka, Pradeep Liyanage, Malith Silva, Sameera Perera and Imran Bistamin.

St. Anthony’s College will be coached by Viper Gunaratne (jnr) and assisted by Tikiri Disanayake who captained the Antonian team in the 2001 inter school rugby season.

S. Thomas’ College will be captained by dynamic number eight Rohitha Rajapaksa who had the distinction of representing the Sri Lanka youth team at the under 19 Rugby Asiad in Chinese Taipei in 2006.

They will also have the services of five other coloursmen in vice captain Devaan Hallock, second row forward Ramesh Perera, centre three quarter Shavin Kapuwatte, winger Heshan Guneratne and full back Manjith Thamanagama.

Coach Ronnie Ibrahim said that this time the team is much stronger than last years outfit and are confident that they would make a winning start to the season. He is assisted by Physical Fitness Instructor Chandrishan Perera and Strength Trainer Mothilal Jayatilleke.

Meanwhile St. Joseph’s College will take on Ananda College in their Singer inter school under 20 Group A division two league rugby tournament match at Longden Place on Sunday. Kick off is at 4.45 p.m.

The Josephians will be led by fourth year coloursman and Sri Lanka youth poolist Banuka Hegoda and his deputy will be Nalaka Babapulle.

The Josephians will have the services of nine senior players from last year and will be determined to make a winning start to the new inter school rugby season. St. Joseph’s College in fact emerged runners up in the Cup championship of the Western Province under 20 seven a side tournament worked off at the same venue.

The Anandians too had the distinction of emerging runners up in the Cup championship of the Singer all island seven a side tournament recently.