Trinity-St. Peter’s: Bambalapitiya awaits blockbustre

By M. Shamil Amit

Two Cup segment matches of the Dialog Schools Rugby league tournament are down for decision today with both being crucial encounters between defending champions Trinity College and St Peter’s College to be played at Bambalapitiya and Zahira College against Isipathana College scheduled to be played at Havelock Park.

Trinity and the Peterites will also battle it out for the General Dennis Perera Memorial Trophy and the home team are the current holders with their 22-20 win last year.

But the clash is no doubt going to be a blockbustre as the clashes between the two teams in their previous encounters have been cliffhangers. For the defending League champs Trinity a win will make them retain the trophy and regain the General Dennis Perera trophy as well.

Trinity with the prolific full back Shan Althaf who has led the side from the front will no doubt be the cynosure of all eyes as his efforts have steered the side to some crucial wins. 

Althaf will be looking forward for the backing of players in the likes of Number Eight Achintha Jayasena, wingers Dimath Ambepitiya and Amaar Faizal, flankers Nishith Kumarasingue and Hamza Abdeen, second rowers Evin Jayasena and Akash Fernando, scrum half Udan Wijekoon and fly half Abdul Malik, subject to fitness, who all have been in the thick of happenings this season.

St Peter’s led by Number Eight Shenuka Perera will be into the game with a load of confidence after their win against Royal last week as they bounced back after their close defeat to Zahira.

The Peterites had fluctuated fortunes and was not that impressive at the start of the league tournament but made vast strides in the later stages that they played particularly when they beat Royal with only 14 players for almost the entirety of the second half last week after one player was red carded.

Shenuka has players in the caliber of flankers Lakindu Ranasinghe and Hashara Madugaspe, centres Rashwin Sabar and Menthushan Manthusha (who has been in top form and one of the players to watch), wingers Geon Rajith and Ashok Krishan and playmaker fly-half Jamal Wahab who will be looking forward for the repeat against Royal where he scored three tries.