S. Thomas’ seek to break nine year hoodoo

• Of the 67 matches played so far for the Trophy, the Royalists are leading the tally with 41 wins as against 20 by the Thomians with the rest ending in draws

By M. Shamil Amit

Arch rivals Royal College and S. Thomas’ College will battle it out in the Dialog Schools Rugby League second round encounter which is also played for the Michael Gunaratne Memorial Trophy today at Mount Lavinia.

Of the 67 matches played so far for the Trophy, the Royalists are leading the tally with 41 wins as against 20 by the Thomians with the rest ending in draws.  

Last year Royal came out winners with a 26-20 win and will be looking to retain the trophy for the sixth year while on the other hand the Thomians will be seeking to regain it as their last win was in 2016 with Naveen Henakankanamage.
This time it will be a closely contested affair but the scale is in favour of the Thomians who have had a successful stint in the ongoing league championship.  The seaside boys are led by Venuka Wickramasuriya.

Wickramasuriya has in his ranks players in the  likes of centres Saneshka Abeygunawardena and Chenuk Aluviahara, No 8 Mckyle Karunaratne, Mayanka Dias and fly half Udan Bulathsinhalage to name a few who have been in the thick of things in their success this season.

Royal on the other hand are led by centre Amika Samarasinghe and recovering from their defeat to Wesley last week.  Experienced players in Idris Farouk, winger Didula Jayasuriya, Shashrika Fernando, Senuja Ranasinghe, Althaf Amaan and Disas Pathirana will have key roles to play. St Peter’s versus Isipathana

Another hotly contested encounter is on the cards between St Peter’s College and Isipathana College today at Bambalapitiya. Even though the two teams are not in contention for the title, it will be a closely contested affair.

The clash between the two teams have in the past has been a much looked forward to and the Peterites will be looking to keep up their winning trend against the Pathanas which they have been successful on the last two occasions in the 2023 President’s Trophy final (28-17) and the 2024 league deciding encounter (6-3).

Isipathana skipper Themithra Dodangoda along with Shaahid Zumri, Avishka Hiran, Yuvindu Kodituwakku, Nimantha Sandeepa, Adithya Madushan and Nevith Meunaka will need to combine if they are to make any headway.

St Peter’s on the other hand led by Vishenka Silva will be seeking the support of Jamal Wahab, Sithila Nimsara, Emith Jayaweera, Rajith Diyon, Shenuka Perera, Revon Perera, Chirath Perera and Pasan Pamuditha.

In the Plate segment Ananda and Zahira will play for the inaugural S.A. Wijeyatileke/T.B. Jayah Trophy at Ananda ground in Rajagiriya while Science College will host Dharmaraja in a Bowl match at Mount Lavinia.