Milo Inter-school Division 1 knockout rugby quarterfinal

A forwards battle today

St. Anthony’s vs. St. Peter’s

With Isipathana having received a walk-over from D.S. Senanayake in what was to be the curtain raiser of the Milo Inter-school Division 1 knockout rugby quarter final yesterday the definite ‘opener’ of the tournament will be a match between St. Peter’s College Bambalapitiya and St Anthony’s College Katugasthota at the Royal Sports Complex, Reid Avenue today commencing 4.30 pm.

Peterites will start as firm favourites against underdogs Anthonians in a game that is expected to be dominated by the forwards.

Peterites has brought in former winger Diyath Fernando to play in the pivotal position of full back at the expense of this season’s appointed captain Sandesh Jayawickrama who is shifted to play in the position as inside centre alongside Theekashana Dasanayake. In the pack St Peter’s second row forward Rahal Delpachithra has been shifted to play as a prop forward while Shane Gurusinghe and Angelo Mendis have been moved to the third row to bind with number eight Sajith Seram. The forte of both teams has been their power-packed forwards. The Peterite ‘eight’ especially burly Delpachithra who will be ably supported by Ravin Yapa, Gurusinghe, Senura Premawardene, Harin Biyanwila, Narendra Perera, Mendis and cracking number eight Seram are expected to give a terrific display in the loose and secure ball position. If they deliver then the Peterites will have a chance to pull off this game.

They however face a huge challenge from the Anthonian forwards spearheaded by captain cum flanker Pasindu Dulshan, Anjana Ariyawansa, Kavinda Amarakoon, Shenal Dias, burly Mohamed Shabeer, Ruwan Amarasinghe, Jithen Daulagala and Dinesh Rodrigo.

In the set scrums the experienced Peterite hooker Yapa should get the better of his vis-a-vis Amarakoon while the line-outs should be shared between the Anthonian duo of Shabeer together with Amarasinghe and Peterites Delpachithra and Gurusinghe. The Peterites new halves combination comprising vice captain Avishka Heenpalle and Steven Sivaraj are playing together for the first time this season. Everything will depend on how they click as a pair in this crucial match. St. Peter’s will hope that their scrum half Heenealla will pair off well with his new fly half Sivaraj.

In all probability, young Heenpalle should set his speedy three quarters in motion at every given time possible, as they have two hard running three quarters in Diyath Fernando and Ramesh Fernando. This is in addition to the experienced outside centre Theekshana Dasanayaka who has stood out with his powerful runs down the flank as Speedy full back Diyath Fernando is there to join the line and form the overlap.

They will hope that their new halves combination of Heenealla and Sivaraj will hit it off smoothly. The halves combination of these two players will have to give a very good performance if the Peterites are to emerge victorious.

Teams:

St. Peter’s College (Probable XV): Rahal Delpachitra, Ravin Yapa, Harin Biyanwila, Senura Premawardene, Narendra Perera, Shane Gurusinghe, Angelo Mendis, Sajith Seram, Avishka Heenealla and Steven Sivaraj, Ramesh Fernando, Sandesh Jayawickrama (captain) , Theekshana Dasanayaka, Luke Lakshan, Diyath Fernando. Head Coach: Collin Denish, Asst. Coach (Three quarters): Mohamed Sheriff, Asst. Coach (Forwards): Rajiv Perera, Trainer: Ransilu Jayathilake.

St. Anthony’s College (Probable XV): Anjana Ariyawansa, Kavinda Amarakoon, Shenal Dias, Mohamed Shabeer, Ruwan Amarasinghe, Jithen Daulagala, Pasindu Dulshan (captain), Dinesh Rodrigo, Duminda Hettiarachchi and Samuel Maduwantha, Pramuditha Wickramarachchi, Jehan Seelagama, Dinuk Amerasinghe, Chamod Wanasinghe, Praboda Bandara. Head Coach: Nihal “Viper” Gunaratne, Asst. Coach: Nalaka Weerakkody. (WAI)