Isipatana-Trinity clash in President’s Trophy Final
Thushan JAYASURIYA
Singer Division one league champions Isipatana College will confront
runners up Trinity College Kandy in the Final of the Milo President’s
Trophy Knockout Tournament at the Royal Sports Complex on October 14
(Sunday).
Trinity are the defending champions having defeated Isipatana by 21 –
10 in last year's final at the same venue and face another fierce
challenge from the Havelock Town lads who will go all out to clinch the
rugby double. Isipatana scored a hard fought 27 – 15 win over the vastly
improved ‘B’ division champions Dharmaraja College Kandy in the semi
final while Trinity scored an impressive 41 – 24 win over Wesley College
Colombo in the other semi final.
Both teams are known for their dazzling three quarter play. Isipatana
has a fine halves combination in Kavindu de Costa and Hirantha Perera
while Shamal Chathuranga and Madhawa Pabasara are hard and penetrative
runners who are capable of slicing through the trinity defence while on
the wings they will have the services of Sri Lanka Youth Player Uditha
Prematilleke and Ashan Kovinda who have stood out with their daring runs
down the flank with Full Back Sithum Chathusanka also having the knack
of joining the line to form the overlap.
Trinity too boast of a fine back division .
The experienced Sanjaya Somasiri, and young Tharinda Ratwatte have
clicked this season which has resulted in the two Centres Skipper Kaneel
Seneviratne and Sri Lanka Youth Player Thisila Karunatilleke tearing
apart the opponents defence time and again with their side stepping and
speed while on the wings Dharshana Udalagama and Lochana Girihagama have
always looked dangerous testing the opponents defence to the hilt with
their powerful running in addition to an attacking Full Back in Halique
Wadood.
Up front, a terrific tussle will be witnessed between Trinity's
powerful forwards spearheaded by Sri Lanka Under 19 Skipper Randika
Alwis ably supported by Mohammed Insaaf, Anuradha Karunatilleke, Kevin
Bandara, Dhuli Samarakoon and Thushan Dharmasena who will be confronted
by the marrauding Isipatana “eight” propelled by Sri Lanka Youth Player
Arun Kumar assisted by Manaka Siriwardena, Danuka Dissanayake, Ganidu
Weerasinghe, Shenal Deelaka and that terrific player in the loose
skipper Kumendra Dharmadasa.
In Hirantha Perera, Isipatana has a superb place kicker who has
kicked them to victory on many occassions this season and contributing
over 100 points.Not to be outdone, Trnity also has the sevrices of a
reliable kicker – Thisila Karunatilleke
It should be an enthralling encounter which should be a grand finale
to the 2012 Schools Rugby season.
Isipatana - Ushan Charuka, Manaka Siriwardena, Danuka
Dissanayake, Ganidu Weerasinghe, Malith Gomes, Shenal Deelaka, Kumendra
Dharmadasa (Captain), Arun Kumar, Kavindu de Costa and Hirantha Perera,
Ashan Kovinda, Shamal Chathuranga Madhawa Pabasara, Uditha Prematilleke,
Sithum Chathusanka
Trinity - Anuradha Karunatilleke, Kevin Bandara, Mohamed Insaf,
Randika Alwis, Thushan Dharmasena, Dhuli Samarakoon, Madura
Hettiarachchi, Ryle Madena, Sanjaya Somasiri and Tharinda Ratwatte,
Lochana Girihagama, Kaneel Seneviratne (Captain), Thisila Karunatilleke,
Dharshana Udalagama, Halique Wadood
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