Sports - Titles still at large

Once again last weeks schools rugby not only produced some interesting encounters but also attracted a better crowd than the Club matches played this year. Taking advantage of the situation some schools in Colombo increased their gate collection through some unfair amounts even tickets being sold at an astonishing price of Rs.300/-.

In one the “B” division tussles Royal came from behind to down the strong Vidyartha outfit. Probably for the first time in schools rugby history two lasses from Sabaragamuwa were appointed as touch judges for this game. Both of them did a good job with limited experience and exposure in their job. Indeed the referee’s society should be applauded for taking this bold good move. This should without any doubt encourage the young girls to take on to the oval shaped ball game more seriously and also enter the more gruelling task of refereeing.

Royal after being led at 3-7 at one stage came back strongly through their heavier forwards to plant 4 tries in the second half to pose a 31-7 win. Once again there were threats for referee Gamini Indrasena when he called a forward pass off a fine move by the Kandy school. In the end it was a correct call and referee did a good job where the game was played under teriffic pace where one player from each player sent to sin bin for unwanted play.

Meanwhile the lads from Bambalapitiya continued with their winning streak which they have inculcated when they trounced Ananda by a huge 74 points to 3 in an unmatched encounter. The Peterites under the guidance of former Isipatana player Sanath Martis got only two more hurdles to cross. The first hurdle is to beat the defending champions Kingswood and then to down the Antonians. The only disadvantage is that the Petrites will have to play both the games up in Kandy.

On the other hand if Kingswood are to win the title they have got to beat the Peterites and hope that the Antnoins will draw level with St. Peter’s. Even the unpredictable Antonians have an outside chance of taking the title. This is if they do beat the Peterites. Then in spite of some inconsistent performances early in the season under Viper Gunaratne they managed to do themselves some good by learning from their mistakes.

The sides such as Thurstan, Ananda and S. Thomas’ will have to be on the watch out in their remaining games as two of three sides will be demoted to “B” division next year.

The “B” division is mainly fought out between three top schools, which have produced some quality players for a number of years. Isipathana, Royal and Trinity are the three sides likely to take the title. Royal will battle it out with Isipathana for the Maj Milroy Fernando trophy next week and a week after that Trinity will be at their own den at Pallekelle when they host Isipathana in one of the key encounters. The first leg of the Brady Shield will be a tournament game this year.