St Anthony's-Isipathana clash at Bogambara today

S M Jiffry Abdeen - Kandy Sports Correspondent

St Anthony's College, Kandy will make their first appearance in the hill capital when they take on Isipathana College in their schools under 20 'A' Division rugby tournament match to be played at the Bogambara Stadium, Kandy today at 4.30 pm.

Both teams will be looking for their first win this season. The Antonians led by Yakoob Ali will have the home advantage of playing before their own crowd. The Antonians usually play their matches at Nittawela which is their traditional home ground. This venue is now closed for rugby due to repairs.

Isipathana's last trip to the hill capital turned out to be disastrous as they were whipped by Dharmaraja College 8-35. The Rajans went into this game as a team just promoted to 'A' Division. Isipathana College went as the defending champions. That was the contrasting reputations of the two teams before the kick off. The Pathans in addition to losing to the Rajans also lost to Wesley College by the stender margin of 23-25.

The Antonians on the other hand on their first outing lost to St Peter's College by the huge margin of 50-12 and followed to another defeat this time to Wesley College 25-12. The Antonians are having a foreign coach for the first time supported by their coach of many years Priyantha Gunaratne and it is high time that results are produced.

Winning against Pathans will boost their morale. If they lose their image could plunge into abysmal depths.

Whatever the outcome may be good rugby is in store for the rugby fans.