Dialog Schools President’s Trophy Rugby Knockout Six teams battle for three SF slots

By M. Shamil Amit

The Dialog Schools President’s Trophy Knockout Rugby tournament after the completion of pre-quarter final encounters will now see six teams battling it out in three quarter-final encounters today and tomorrow for three semi-final slots.

St. Peter’s, last year’s runner-up was forced to withdraw from the tournament due to serious allegations being brought up against some of the senior players and thus Zahira who was to confront the Peterites will now get a walk over and advance to the semi-final.

So the remaining three semi-final berths will be fought out by defending champions Isipathana, Trinity, Wesley, S. Thomas’, Royal and D.S. Senanayake College.

Today one match is down for decision between Trinity and S. Thomas’ scheduled to be played at Havelock Park and tomorrow two matches are down for decision between Royal and DSS at Havelock Park and Isipathana vs Wesley at Royal Sports Complex. 

All the matches are scheduled to kick-off at 4.15 p.m.

Trinity vs S. Thomas’

This should be a blockbuster as the two teams will be coming into the game with their confidence and their heads high after wins in the pre-quarter final encounters with the Lions led by centre Usman Safaraz chalking up a massive 62-5 win over hometown rivals St. Anthony’s while the Thomians led by second row Venuka Wickramasuriya scored a convincing 59-35 win over Science College.
When the two teams met each other last year in the league tournament, the Lions emerged victorious with a comfortable win but the Thomians this time out look a rejuvenated side and will be seeking to avenge the defeat.

Royal vs DSS

This match with both the teams evenly balanced should be a keenly contested affair. Royal scraped through with a close 28-24 win over Kingswood while in contrast DSS who took some time to settle down opened up in the second half to pull off a comfortable 48-29 win over Dharmaraja.

Royal led by wing three Anika Samarasinghe will need to put in a better performance this time out after a great escape against the Kingswoodians by scoring in the dying stages of the game.

On the other hand, DSS led by second row Lankesh Wickramasinghe will be coming into the game with determination, having bowed out of contention last year in the semi-final.

Isipathana vs Wesley

Defending champions Isipathana led by flanker Thinethra Dodangoda are the top contenders for the title and no doubt they will not take Wesley led by No. 8 Sandula Gammanpila lightly.

Isipathana had an easy passage in the pre-quarter encounter where they smothered the hapless Sri Sumangala, Kandy side 61-0 while Wesley put in a spirited display against St. Joseph’s as after conceding a lead to their opponents they came with vengeance to turn the tables and come out winners 36-23.