Can Trinity repeat success against Wesley again in today's final?

By Ranjan Anandappa

It should be a compelling battle of supremacy when Trinity College, Kandy lock horns with a vastly improved Wesley College outfit in the Milo Under 20 Knock-out Schools Rugby Final for the President’s Trophy that will take place at the Royal College Sports Complex grounds at Stanley Wijesundera Mawatha, Colombo 7 at 4.15 today (Sunday).

Wesley College are playing in a final of this nature after 11 years. In 2002, they went down fighting (16-22) against an all conquering Royal College team led by Zulki Hamid, Lahiru Boteju was the Wesley captain that year.

Fighting qualities

Both teams have the fighting qualities to pull off the match in their favour, but Trinity, has the psychological advantage beating their opponents Wesley, in the league stage of the tournament after trailing 9-19 at the breather and coming back fighting in the last ten minutes of the match to snatch a 21-19 win.

Trinity also displayed their fighting spirit against St.Peter’s in the first semi-final, and there again Trinity’s fighting qualities were displayed in no uncertain terms, staging a last minute burst to beat the Peterites 40-37 after trailing 26-37 eleven minutes before the final whistle.

Wesley possess a formidable pack and a good three quarter line with players who have excelled during the season Wesley number 8 Gavin Stegertsz, captain and scrum-half Rahul de Silva, centre Rajakaruna, lanky winger Ishak Jurangpathy and full back Lahiru Madusanka the key players, who are capable of toppling the Kandy school.

Fly half Tharinda Ratwatte is the livewire in the Trinity back division who makes the maximum use from the ‘good ball’ which comes via the scrum half Naresh Perera while center Dureka Aluvihare, Shehan Perera, and the two strong wingers Lochana Girihagama and Lakwin Gunasekera along with skipper Halique Wadook having the knack of joining the line to form the overlap.

Wesley beat Dharmaraja 22-13

Trinity received a ‘walk-over’ from D.S.Senanayake College in their first game and later defeated St.Peter’s in the semi-final. Wesley overcame Science College by 20 points to 17 and then created a major upset, beating league champions Dharmaraja 22-13 in the second semi-final.

Trinity ended as runners-up in the ‘A’ division league while Wesley finished fourth. The Wesleyites began their league matches sensationally with three successive wins, beating Isipathana, St.Anthony’s, Katugastota, and St.Joseph’s. But lost to Royal (12-30), Trinity (19-21) and were held to a 7-all draw by Kingswood before losing to St.Peter’s in the place decider.

The Trinity ‘Lions’ have entered the K.O.final for the third successive year. They won the trophy in 2011 defeating Isipathana 21-10, but surrendered the trophy back to Isipathana losing the final last year by 16 points to 21.

[Teams ]

Trinity College (from): Anuradha Karunatileka, Nathan Chang, Sanka Etulugama, Isuru Rangala, Umesh Samarasekera, Sajith Thalgahagoda, Shahim Singalakshana, Nipun Alahakoon, Naresh Perera and Tarinda Ratwatte, Lakvin Gunasekera, Dureka Aluvihare, Ryan Weerakoon, Lochana Girihagama, Haliqe Wadood (Captain).

Wesley College: Lasitha Randeera, Thisara Maduwantha, Buddhi de Soysa, Shezaad Hamidon, Hiranya Ayodhaya, Joel Perera, Sithum Peiris, Gavin Stegrtz, Rahul de Silva (Captain) and Joel Thillekaratne, Ishak Jurampathy, Namal Rajakaruna, Ishara Madushanka, Sajith Ariyawansa, Lahiru Prasad .

Referee – Nizam Jamaldeen.