St. Peter’s, Isipathana in final showdown for title victory

The Dialog Schools Rugby League tournament has reached the final stage, with two top school teams in the school rugby arena, namely St. Peter's, the only team to remain unbeaten so far, and defending champions Isipathana, battling it out for the league title scheduled to kick off tomorrow from 4.15 p.m. onwards at St. Peter’s ground in Bambalapitiya.

The previous clashes between the two sides have been closely contested affairs, and the two sides will be coming into the game with confidence. St. Peter's, led by flanker Ashain Madugasge, will no doubt aim to end the season on a winning note and also maintain their unbeaten record, while Isipathana, led by fly-half Naveen Kanishka, will be looking forward to regaining their lost prestige after their defeat to Royal last week and also retaining the title.

Looking at the form and performances of the players from the two sides, apart from skipper Madugasge, he has in their ranks players of the calibre of centre Sudesh Jayawickrama, an experienced player who led the side last year, centre Umeth Ishara, full-back Kushan Tharindu, No 8 Dulaj Navodya, and prop forward Sadew Gamage, to name a few, who have all been in the thick of happenings in the side, remaining unbeaten so far.

Isipathana skipper Kanishka will be expected to lead the side from the front, which he has done so far, and will be looking forward to support from wingers Rinesh Silva and Hashen Randimal, centre Shahid
Zumri, prop forward Kenula Hettiarachchi, No 8 Nisaja Jayaweera, and scrum-half Shehandu de Costa to deliver the goods.

However, the supporters of the two sides will no doubt get their money’s worth with a blockbuster on the card to witness, and with rugby at its best in the offing, predicting the final outcome will not be easy.

On the other hand, the Peterites will be seeking to bag the title they last achieved in 2010 under the leadership of Keith Gurusinghe. Going back to the clash between the two teams, the Pathanas have dominated since 2015 when they won 20-15, and then for two more years in 2016 (36-21), 2017 on two occasions; league (32-15) and knockout (22-20), and the Peterites won in 2018 (20-14), and 2019 on two occasions; league (27-21) and knockout (19-14).

Isipathana came out victorious when the two sides met last year by 29 points to 17. So with the Pathanas seeking to make a repeat, the Peterites will surely leave no stone unturned to avenge the defeat and lay their hands on the title after eight years. (M. Shamil Amit)

The Teams:

• St. Peter’s: Ashain Madugasge (Capt.), Sudesh Jayawickrama, Yumeth Shihara, Ridmal Ranitha, Emith Jayaweera, Pasindu Bandara, Sadew Gamage, Methusara Wishmika, Praneeth Silva, Tharindu Kushan, Aiden Fernando, Rahul Peter, Shenuka Perera, Kushan Tharindu, Dulaj Navodya, Vidnya de Mel, Dineth Ranasinghe, Jehan Weerabangsa, Sa;ith Gallage, Vishenka Silva, Sulaman Riyaz, Pawan Indrajith, Januk Ranasinghe, Ishanka Edirisinghe, Denand Ranaweera, Sachin Aruldas, Tharusha Manet
• Isipathana: Naveen Kanishka (Capt.), Rinesh Silva, Chamindu Chirath, Shehandu de Costa, Hashen Randimal, Chamath Iroshan, Kushan Tharindu, Nisaja Jayaweera, Dunila Fernando, Kaveen Tharusha, Senuth Dinusala, Savindu Arawgoda, Chamindu Dilshan, Kalindu Silva, Shahid Zumri, Kenula Hettiarachchi, Lasitha Mapilagama, Abdullah Faizer, Gesandu Maneth, Bashitha Chathuranga, Sithurpa Bometh, Avishka Hiran, Tehan Ranaweera, Thinethra Dodangoda, Sithum Damhiru, Raheem Ahamad, Nimantha Sandeepa, Shakib Zumri