Schools season enters interesting phase

The 2008 schools rugby season is leading to an expectation of an eventful climax. At the end of the second week Trinity, S. Thomas’ and Kingswood remain unbeaten. S. Peter’s and Isipathana are behind but not far away having lost a match each. The way for the league title is open wide with more close encounters expected to be played between those who are unbeaten and with those who have dropped one game. By the time this article is in print the results of the match between St. Peter’s and Kingswood will be known and will confirm who is pulling ahead and whether the chances still remain open.

Royal out for a second time last week lost to Isipathana thus making it their second loss for the season. The Patana team who were beaten by Trinity the previous week came into this game as a rejuvenated side and got the better of Royal after many anxious moments. Royal with a host of experienced players dominated the game but getting points on the board was not to be theirs this day. Patana by this victory are in the bunch behind in the run for the league.

S Thomas’ who did not come with a sterling performance the previous week upset the forecast of many coming up with an improved appearance beating St Peter’s College -- the defending champions. The game was interesting and score line kept changing in favour of one or another during the seventy minutes of the game. A try in the last minute of the game was that gave victory to the boys from Mount Lavinia. The gusty performance of the Thomians kept them ahead in a match where the Peterites dominated for most parts of the game. This week around the forwards from S. Thomas made the most use of the talent they have. The backs did their part and the good work of the forwards was made use of through some good runs and moves. St. Peter’s College though losing did well for themselves and are a side that can still make a difference in the weeks to come.

Trinity on the other hand had an easy win over Vidyartha who stunned them with a lead in the early stages of the game. At half time it was15 to 9 in favour of Trinity but ended 60 to nine possibly with Vidyartha unable to keep to the momentum they started off with.
In the Group 1 segment 2 games St. Joseph’s with three wins in a row are making an impact as a team to be watched in this group. The Joes are a talented side but seem to get a little rattled in the first few minutes of the game but settle down to getting about their business. This week they beat Science College after their win in previous weeks over Ananda and Wesley. Mahanama, St Sylvester’s and Thurstan the other sides in this group contending for the title.

The curtain raiser for the Caltex league was at Police Grounds. An impressive opening ceremony was held at the Park prior to the Police and CH and FC game. The ceremony started with the President of the SLRFU Nimal Lewke and the CEO Caltex Kishu Gomes unveiling the trophy which was unseen covered in a mass of balloons. Kishu Gomes declared open the games after handing over the trophy. It was a colourful ceremony with Policemen on horseback leading the teams to the grounds. The tournament for 2008 kicked of in this fashion. The SLRFU did have a plan to honour games Mahes Rodrigo. Mahes could not turn up being indisposed. The intention however is good.

The opening match saw Police being a victorious with a try in the dying moments of the game. This is and will be morale booster to the Police team who were at one time a dominant force in local rugby. Both teams played hard and it was a forwards battle. The Police team took the lead at the end of the first half but let their guard drop in the second and recovered in the last minutes to win by 12 points to 11.

The CR and FC beat the Air Force by 29 points to 3 giving a sample of what is to come this season. Air Force though not being a push over side defended stoutly but did not live up to perform to the standards that were capable of as boasted. Kandy meanwhile ran riot around the Old Zahirians beating them 120 points to 5.

Havelock’s too received a booster beating Army Sports club 21 points to 5. An interesting feature of this game was there was lot of ball movement despite a stoppage count f 103 which included 43 scrums and 31 line outs. The scrum count is an indication of the number ball handling errors. Handling mistakes are dominant at most games and needs to be addressed as the season gets tougher. The count however is less at school rugby.