Isipathana go out favourites against Trinity

by Indika Welagedara

Isipathana College Colombo go out favourites against Trinity College Kandy when they clash in their Milo Trophy Schools Under 20 Knockout semi- final rugby match today at Royal Complex in Reid Avenue at 4.30 pm.

Pathana leading up to this Milo knockout semi finals won all their matches convincingly except the league decider where they went down fighting to this year's unbeaten league champions Royal College by 8-21 at Royal Complex three weeks ago.

Also Isipathana go in to this match after having a huge advantage since they have beaten the Trinitians convincingly in their Singer league match by 37 points to 22 at Trinity's home grounds in Pallekele.

Isipathana are heavily depending on their skipper Omalka Gunaratne, Wageesha Weerasinghe, Chathura Dilshan, Nisal Desaka, Sachin Alawathugoda, Matheesha Sarathchandra, Harsha Maduranga, Isuru Kongahawatte, Ushan Indunil, Asitha Punchihewa, Dilan Gallage and Rehan de Silva to pull this match through and go into the final.

Trinity on the other hand have had mixed fortunes in the league but gave an improved performance against DS Senanayake College Colombo in their Milo quarter-final which they won by 41-14 last week. The players to watch from the Trinity camp are skipper Isuru Rangala, Rukshan Dhammapala, Direndra Ratwatte, Rahul Karunatilleke, Rishane Madena, Nathan Yee, Anuk Boyagoda, Thanushka Abeywickrama, Ryan Weerakoon, Sachintha Dissanayake, Deshan Hettige.

Their play-maker and full back Saranga Gunatilleke's presence in this match is left to be witnessed today. Finally, a keen tussle for supremacy, is expected in today's match. Since the inception in 1966 from the total 36 matches between Isipathana-Trinity encounters, Isipathana has won 21-12 with three matches ending in draws.

Isipathana(Probable xv)

Sachin Alawathugoda, Nisal Desakà, Lahiru Perera, Chathura Dilshan, Matheesha Sàrathchandra, Dilan Devinda, Wageesha Weerasinghe, Omalka Gunarathna, Harshà Maduranga ànd Isuru Kongahawatte, Asitha Punchihewa, Ushan Indunil, Sumudu Anuradha, Dilan Gallàge, Rehan de Silva,

Trinity (probable xv)

G.ismail, N.sakalasuriya, Direndra Ratwatte, Rahul Karunatilaka, Rishane Madena, Rukshan Dammapala, A.Bandara, Isuru Rangala, Anuk Boyagoda and Thisila Perere, Sachintha Dissanayaka, Sanushka Abeywickrama, Ryan Weerakoon, Deshan Hettige, L.Wijesuriya

Referee Irshad Cader