Royal-Peterite clash should be a thriller

Chris DHAMBARAGE

Royal College will be looking to clear their penultimate hurdle in their attempt to clinch the league title when they take on St. Peter's College in a key Singer inter-school under 20 rugby tournament match at Bambalapitiya today.

Royal have completed all the hard work and now they are just two steps away from reaching the summit in this year's schools rugby scene. Their unbeaten record in the tournament speaks volumes of their commitment and determination towards achieving their ultimate goal.

Last week too they had a successful outing where they showed a lot of character to pull off a 22-7 victory after trailing 0-7 at half time against their traditional rivals S. Thomas' College at Mount Lavinia.

In contrast St. Peter's College are looking to redeem some of their lost prestige as they have given up hopes of retaining the league title for the second successive year.

The Peterites hopes were completely shattered following their two shock defeats at the hands of Trinity College Kandy (10-34) and Isipatana (29-42) respectively.

In contrast Royal have continued with their impressive record throughout this season despite a nervous start to their campaign where they had the better of Wesley (33-32) and Isipatana (11-10) in two very close encounters. But thereafter they have made steady progress with success over St. Joseph's (38-31), Kingswood (33-25), Thurstan (72-0), Dharmaraja (50-5), Trinity (33-25), St. Anthony's (40-13) and S. Thomas' (22-7).

Royal will be boosted with the return of their captain and dynamic number eight Shehan Pathirana. The strength in the Peterite camp is their three quarters as they have done most of the scoring through this area.

Royal College: Iroshan de Alwis, Aadil Jabbar, Yasim Yousuf, Lahiru Pavithra, Malaka Ihalagedera, Wasim Bawa, Andrew Siriwardena, Shehan Pathirana (captain), Ravishan Dassanayake and Arshad Jamaldeen, Anjana Kudahetty, Azman Khan, Rimzi Jamaldeen, Dileepa Jayatilleke, Damien Ratwatte.

St. Peter's College: Chaturanga Mendis, Johan Rodrigo, Devin Fonseka, Asitha Krishan, Jhehan Mendis, Malith Makage, Ravindra Indrakumara, Isuru Alwis, Rizwan Meedin and Dulaj Perera, Danushka Ranjan, Bhanuka Nanayakkara (captain), Sandun Herath, Bhanuka Peiris, Kevin Wimaladasa.