One suspects this game could go down to the wire
With Trinity opting out of the knock-outs as a result of injuries to some key players, the Anthonian (an unlikely option earlier on) remains the sole representative from Kandy. Today, they take on Peterites at the Royal College Complex in a sudden death clash. The omens are not all that propitious for the Katugastota lads. To begin with, they lost to the Peterites 11-21 in a first round match and, thus, the latter will have the edge in confidence. St. Peter’s lost to the four big guns of schools rugby – Isipathana, S. Thomas’, Royal and Science. But their performances over the weekend when they got the better of Trinity 29-22 augur well for them.
That win showed that they have improved hugely and are playing well at the moment. Central to their success is the performance of fly half Stephen Suvaraj. He had a fine game up at Pallekelle. He read the game well and also made a significant contribution with his accurate kicks at goal. His scrum half Avishka Heenpella is another who is functioning at top gear. He has flair and a penchant for interceptions. These two, Stephen and Heenpella make a solid combination. Full back and skipper Sandesh Jayawickrema, try scoring centre Theekshana Dissanaike and winger Deyath Fernando are three players who can tilt the balance of the game by the way they perform.
The Peterites have a good back four and the forwards link up well with the outsides. Antonian coach Viper Guneratne has an interesting take on the situation. He feels that even the best teams can be beaten in return games. He points out that his team is disciplined and has a high level of fitness. The clincher is that the Antonians are injury free. It would be true to say that the Anthonians have come this far mainly due to the brilliant performances of the fly half Samuel Madushantha.
To score over a hundred points a season takes some doing. Maduwantha has done just that. Besides, he’s got a good boost and gaining forty to fifty metres with his kicks to touch is nothing new to him. Skipper Pasindu Dulshan, the flanker, has been away from the spotlight. However he’s a very committed player. Lock Mohammed Shabeer has been in the thick of things together with props Shenal Dias and Anjana Ariyawansa. Powerful centre Dinuk Amarasinghe and his partner Jehan Seelagama have been among the tries.
Out on the wings, the Katugastota side has good finishers in Pramuditha Wickremarachi and diminutive Niranjan Ranaweera. Fullback Proboda Bandara is safe and unflustered. The Anthonians, admittedly in short bursts, have shown signs that they can run through even the best side. On the other hand , the Peterites seem to have put their trials and tribulations behind them and are a more confident side. One suspects that this game could go down to the wire. It is hoped that this match will be devoid of the shenanigans that have been a feature of school rugby in recent times.