Peterites face tough task against Isipatana today

Chris DHAMBARAGE

The unbeaten league champions St. Peter’s College will face a tough task when they confront a determined Isipatana outfit in the Milo Schools Under 20 President’s Trophy knock out rugby tournament first semi-final match at Longden Place today.

The Peterites are yet to make their appearance in this tournament after they received a walk over from the traditional rivals and the Group ‘B’ champions St. Joseph’s College in the quarter-finals last week.

In contrast Isipatana have reached their peak form having toppled the defending champions S. Thomas’ College Mount Lavinia by a convincing margin in their quarter-final fixture played at the Royal Sports Complex last week.

In fact Isipatana were the last year runners up and will be keen to make it to the final for the second successive year.

They showed a tremendous amount of improvement in the previous outings and will be hoping to produce a repeat performance. Even then St. Peter’s College would like to add one more title to their credit and conclude the season on a high note.

They will also have a psychological advantage having defeated Isipatana 27-8 in their annual league tournament fixture.

But that was some time back which was also the opening match of the tournament for the two teams. And since then Isipatana have experienced mixed fortunes and their ability to rise to the occasion will be an added advantage.

Meanwhile the Sri Lanka Schools Rugby Football Association have decided to conduct a dope test of the players from the two teams soon after the completion of this semi-final.

The teams -

Isipatana: Heshana Sudharaka, Dhanushka Sooriyarachchi, Prasad Madushanka, M. Gayashan, Rukshan Jalil, Sajid Suhayb, Deshanth Subashana, Tharindu Anuruddha (captain), Shenal de Costa and Prasad Devinda, Ashan Chaturanga, Yuresh Fonseka, Umayanga Sooriyabandara, Prashan Attanayake, Malik Jumath.

St. Peter’s: Steve Nelson, Chaturanga Mendis, Shalin Mendis, Soyuru Anthony, Asitha Krishan, Asitha Ratnayake, Shenal Dias, Keith Gurusinghe (captain), Rizwan Meedin and Viraj Perera, Danushka Ranjan, Bhanuka Nanayakkara, Sandun Herath, Lakith Perera, Kevin Wimaladasa.