Royal face tough task against Peterites

Thushan Jayasuriya

Royal College Colombo who came up with a gallant display to hold Singer 'A' division segment one league champions Dharmaraja College to a 17 all draw last week will face the tough task of overcoming the formidable Peterites in the quarter final of the Milo Trophy Knockout Schools Rugby Tournament at the Royal Sports Complex today.

When they met in the league tournament, exactly three months ago at Bambalapitiya, the Peterites scored two tries in the last three minutes to emerge victorious by 31 - 19 after scores read 19 all three minutes before the final whistle. Today's match should see Royal once again relying on their marauding forwards Shuaib Jabbar, Shuayb Mutaliph, Yasuon Weerasuriya,Thiwanka Perera, Pasindu Perera and Dineth Karunaratne.

But the Royal three quarters have failed to impress this season in skipper Rimzi Jamaldeen they have a fine Fly Half while Centre Asman Khan , Winger Bhanuka Gamage and Full Back Nimshan Jayawardena they have talented players who are capable of rising to the occassion.

Peterites as usual will once again rely on their speedy three quarters. they have a fine halves combination in Shehan de Silva and Shan Weerakkody while Centres Dilanka Perera and Shallen Direkze (both of whom scored tries against Royal in the league match) should once again test the Royal defence to the hilt with their side stepping and speed while Jerome Canute and Amila Ranchigoda should also pose a threat to Royal with their daring runs down the flank. Canute is also an accurate place kicker who is capable of piloting them to victory with his superb kicking.

Royal's biggest problem has been the over reliance on their forwards which has resulted them tiring out in the last few minutes because of their heavy work load and they should make use of their threes if they are to give the Peterites a run for their money.Gayal Jayasinghe (son of former Sri Lanka skipper Saman Jayasinghe) who had a good game against Dharmaraja will once again operate from the base of the scrum and will pair off with skipper Rimzi Jamaldeen.

Royal: Thiwanka Perera or Shuayb Muthaliph, Shuaib Jabbar, Chameera Gamage, Dineth Karunaratne, Yasuon Weerasuriya, Manusha Abeykoon, Mohamed Shaukat, Pasindu Perera, Gayal Jayasinghe and Rimzi Jamaldeen (Captain), Bhanuka Gamage, Asman Khan, Akash Iddawela or Devin de Silva, Udesh Udawatte, Nimshan Jayawardena.

St.Peter's : Udara Hettiarachchi, Shenal Abeysekara, Johanne Rodrigo, Niraj Gunasinghe, Timothy Alles, Nishon Perera, Malith Makage, Anuradha Herath, Shehan de Silva, Shan Weerakkody (Captain),Dilanka Perera, Shallen Direkze, Akila Ranchigoda, Jerome Canute, Kevin Dickson.