The big match fever for the year 2009 heralds with the clash between traditional rivals Thurstan and Isipathana scheduled to be played on February 27 and 28 at the SSC ground beginning from 10.00 a.m.
The encounter played for the Blackham Wijewardena memorial trophy will be the 46th in the series. Of the 45 matches played so far Thurstan are in the lead with five wins while Isipathana has recorded one lesser and 35 ending in draws.
The two sides have been unable to produce any results since 1999 with Thurstan winning the encounter 16 years ago in 1992 under Mackenzie Perera and Isipathana recording their last win in 1999 when the side was led by Krishantha Jayawardena.
So this time out no doubt with both the teams possessing all-round cricketers a result could be expected. And also their performance this season has been encouraging and a keen tussle is on the cards.
The two schools have this season produced outright wins with Thurstan recording two wins against Maris Stella and Kingswood from the 12 matches they have played while Isipathana though having played 18 matches could be satisfied with their performances due to the fact they have a young side.
| 46th Thurstan-Isipathana |
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| Indika Massalage |
Sakuntha Premaratne |
They have recorded six outright wins against Mahanama, Trinity, Lumbini, St Sebastian’s, President’s Rajagiriya and Zahira which was their last outing before the big clash. Likewise they have six defeats too losing to St Joseph’s, Nalanda, Royal, S. Thomas’, DSS and St Peter’s.
Thurstan this year will be led by second year player Indika Massalage with experienced players in his deputy Chamalka Gamage, Shehan Kamileen, Ravindu Wijeratne, Ranishka Gamage and some dependable freshers who have performed well this season.
Isipathana led by Sakuntha Premaratne who is also a second year player with Thivanka Ranasinghe as his deputy possess some do or die players specially Anushka Samaratunge who has been main striker this season.
But the two coaches are optimistic saying they possess sides that could give the spectators their moneys worth. We are not find it easy this time was the view of Thurstan coach Dinesh Weerasinghe. Though we have been able to remain unbeaten we cannot underestimate our rivals as they have been improving match by match. Their performance this year has been better than the previous seasons. But we are having the advantage as we posses a strong batting line and bowlers who are capable of restricting Isipathana to a low score.
Suranga Wijenayake who is in charge of Isipathana stated this is my first stint with the boys. We had a tough time at the start of the school season but then when they began winning matches the boys got the confidence.
We were able to settle down and the boys put in more effort at the half way stage of the season. Our last outright win over Zahira has given the boys more confidence and they are looking forward to give their opponents a tough time and a good fight.
So with the present form of the boys I am confident that we could pull off a surprise a confident Wijenayake stated.
Teams:
Thurstan – Indika Massalage (Capt), Chamalka Gamage, Shihan Kamileen, Ravindu Wijeratne, Javed Siyambalapitiya, Sahan Thushira, Sayura Nimna, Ranishka Gamage, Nuwan Dharshana, Prabodha Arthavidu, Udara Munasinghe, Thisura Madurapperuma, Ishan Perera, Charith Jayaratne, Supun Navaratne, Ishara Wijeratne, Dinesh Weerasinghe (Coach).
Isipathana - Sakuntha Premaratne (Capt), Thivanka Ranasinghe , Amila de Silva, Dimuth Warapitiya, Dimitri Perera, S. Sulochana, Chanaka Jayanetti, Chamara Waduge, Nilusha Sasanka, Pranama Sri Vimukthi, Anushka Samaratunga, Himas Gomes, Vikum de Costa, Harith Wanigarachchi, Madhushan Zoysa, Rajitha Gayan, Suranga Wijenayake (Coach). |
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