Battle for Dialog Schools Rugby League title begins today

By M. Shamil Amit  

It’s going to be a rugby fiesta from today when the battle for the Dialog Schools Rugby title between 18 schools gets underway with nine matches scheduled to be played over the next three days.  

The 18 teams that will be vying for honours have been divided into three groups of six teams in each. Defending champions St. Peter’s along with DS Senanayake, Wesley, Science, St. Anthony’s and newcomers Ananda are in Group 1A with Isipathana, S. Thomas’, Zahira, Dharmaraja, Kingswood and newcomers Mahanama in Group 2A and Royal, Trinity, Vidyartha, St. Joseph’s, Sri Sumangala, Kandy and Thurstan in Group 3A.  

No doubt it’s going to be a hectic schedule and the completion of the Dialog Schools Knockout tournament last month which ended in school rugby kings Isipathana clinching the trophy in a thriller saw the vast interest and support for schools rugby has not diminished.  

Unfortunately league defending champions St. Peter’s had to pull out of the knockout tournament after playing just one match against Thurstan due to disciplinary action being taken against some of their players. But they have confirmed their participation in the league segment.  

They are going to be one of the contenders for the title and will be seeking to make it three-in-a-row along with Isipathana who had to play second fiddle last season and will be seeking to go a step further. Trinity showed their prowess in the knockout tournament and will also be aiming to lay their hands on the title along with Royal and Wesley.  

From the other teams in the fray, Kingswood and DSS could be a threat to top contenders while Vidyartha, Dharmaraja, St. Joseph’s, Science and Zahira are capable of pulling some surprises.  

Four matches are down for decision today with Royal and Zahira hosting Thurstan and Dharmaraja at Royal Sports Complex and Maradana, and two in the hill capital where Trinity and St. Anthony’s will be hosting Sri Sumangala and DSS at Pallekele and Nittawela.  

Defending champions St. Peter’s along with S. Thomas’, Wesley and Vidyartha will begin their campaign tomorrow against Ananda, Kingswood, Science and St. Joseph’s at Bambalapitiya, Mt. Lavinia, Havelock Park and Nittawela while Isipathana will host Mahanama on Sunday at Havelock Park.  

Nine matches are scheduled to played in a week and the league segment will end on July 6. From there on after the completion of 45 matches the teams qualified to battle for the Cup title will play four more games before the ultimate winner is decided.