Centre stage for unbeaten Trinity and St. Joseph’s

By Shamseer Jaleel

Unbeaten Trinity College will hold a slight edge when they confront St. Joseph’s College at the Trinity Rugby Stadium in Pallekele tomorrow. This will be a much looked forward to encounter in the league as both outfits are so far unbeaten this season.

Joes had an easy 34-3 win over Kingswood in their first game and then had to fire all cylinders in order to overcome S. Thomas’ in the Lady Jayathilake Shield encounter against the Mount Lavinia school boys edging them out 30-28.

The Darley Road outfit is led by centre Teran Karunanayake with some outstanding senior players such as scrum half, Vihanga Randeepa and fly half, Dilhara Subash serving well so far. The school is very fortunate to have the National Men’s Coach, Nilfer Ibrahim with them for yet another season.

Ibrahim speaking to the Daily Mirror said “We want to take a game at a time. Our strength is our forwards at present with the three-quarter line yet to hit the peak. They are a capable lot with lot of speed and energy. We have improved as a team with the two games. Playing in Kandy at Pallekele is a big challenge for the boys. Trinity has got a good side but we will do our best to end on the winning side and continue our unbeaten run.”

Trinity beat S. Thomas’ 20-13 to regain the Canon R.S. De Saram shield in their opening encounter and then went on to edge out St. Anthony’s Katugastota 25-18. The third game was a league encounter against traditional rivals which the ‘Lions’ prevailed in a 21-20 thriller.

The lads from Kandy are led by Lithmal Moragoda with some promising players such as deputy, Loshika Wijekoon, Zeshan Zakeer, Jayageeth Basnayake, Chamdenra Dhanapala, Shaveen Premaratne and Kovida Wickramasinghe in the starting lineup. They are a well-balanced outfit with rock solid forwards and fast running three -quarters.

Speaking to the Daily Mirror, Trinity Head Coach, Kavinda Jayasena said "We went through three tough games and unfortunately didn’t have the luxury of a rest week. We have some injury worries to some key players.Our lads have done their best and reduced in committing errors. Joes have got a good side but playing at home conditions we want to give our best shot at this game." Referee: Praneeth Weranga

Trinity squad:

LoshikaWijekoon, Zeshan Zakeer, Yasiru Ariyawansa, Kaveesha Edama, Jayageeth Basnayake, Shabith Rashid, Bihindu Pananwala,Shamendra Dissanayake, Chamendra Dhanapala, Shaveen Premaratne, Attaab Manzil, Abdul Rahaman Kaleel, Ashen Wijesooriya, Anuhas Kodithuwakku, Lithmal Moragoda (Captain), Kovida Wickramasinghe, Yasiru Ariyawansa, Senula Alexander, Thisanga Dissanayake, Harith Samaraweera, Ravin Ilangaratne, Venuka Gamage, Lakinth Herath, Bashana Wijesinghe, Upeka Gammudali and Amdan Faizal

St. Joseph's squad:

Vidusha Imesh, Sithija Sanjeewa, Ishan Chameera and Jehan Athukorala, Chamod Kavindya, Viraj Dilshan and Uthesh Robinson, Janith Marasinghe, Sachithra Lanka and Ayeshan Lanka, Chathura Kalhara, Minidu Pathirana, Nithik Rodrigo and Ashen Kaveeshana, Naveen Marasinghe and Sachinthana Waidyanatha, Vihanga Randeepa and Sanchitha Nirmal, Dilhara Subash, Ruchitha Rodrigo, Teran Karunanayake (captain), Mandara Amarasekera, Ivano White, Rahel jayawardena, Daham Jaya Dias, Vimukthi Deshan, Shanuka Alahakoon, Isuru Kanchana and ChandupaWimalasiri