Thomian-Trinity clash for De Saram Shield

Thushan Jayasuriya

One of the most looked forward to confrontations in the school's rugby calender , the confrontation between Trinity College, Kandy and S.Thomas' College, Mount Lavinia for the Canon R.S. de Saram shield will take place at Havelock Park on April 20 (saturday).

The Trinitians who are the holders of the shield are playing in segment one of the Singer 'A' division league and remain unbeaten holding Dharmaraja to a 34 all draw and then overcoming Science (18-11) and Kingswood (38-22) while Thomians who are playing in segment one 'B' division also remain unbeaten by overcoming Prince of Wales(62 - nil) , C.W.W.Kannangara MV (46 - 8) and St.Sylvester's ( 45 - 9) and should give the strong Trinitians a close run.

The Thomians will be led by Fly Half Devin Jayasinghe and will also have the services of experienced campaigners K.G.Muththettuwegama, D.A.Peiris and H.R.R.Senanayake and are being coached by Australian Grant Dwyer

The Trinitians led by Full Back Halique Wadood will have the services of coloursmen Tharinda Ratwatte, Lochana Girihagama, Anuradha Karunatilleke, Ishrath Sinhalakshana and the experienced Shanthana Sheik and Dhuli Samarakoon and will have the edge over the Thomians.

The De Saram Shield was offered for competition between the two schools by the STC OBA (Medarata Branch) in 1978 and has been an annual fixture since then with the Trinitians led by Janaka Kiridena winning it by 26 - 7 in the inaugural year.