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| Sunday, 20 July 2003 |
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Royal-Thomian rugby encounter should be close affair by RANJAN ANANDAPPA A fancied Royal outfit will confront an improved Thomian team in their 42nd Michael Gunaratne Trophy rugby encounter at Longden Place on Saturday (26th July). Royal's only blemish this season is losing to Wesley 18-22 and the rest of the matches have been smooth sailing but the manner in which they defeated Isipatana (19-8) will clearly make them as favourites. However, the Thomians, on the other hand, have improved and the defeats they inflicted on the Peterites 15-6 and St. Anthony's Katugasthota 24-0 will put them in a better frame of mind while meeting Royal in their all important game. The Michael Gunaratne Memorial Trophy was inaugurated in 1962 and in the 42 encounters played so far, Royal has won 19 to the Thomians' 16 with 5 draws and the 1979 match not played. The Thomians last won under Gavin Jayasekera in year 2000 while Royal has been enjoying rich seasons, in 2001 and 2002. Royal won 30-0 in 2001 under Haren Kaluarachchi and the following year (2002) saw them notching up the highest rugby score in the series 38-3 under Zulki Hamid. Royal's back division has been their forte with two players namely skipper Rajith Jayasundera and Lakshman Dissanayake playing on the wing and another youth 'cap' Varun Wijewardena at fly-half has certainly given the cutting edge for the side. Royal's young set of forwards have fared impressively to form a match winning combination. The Thomians will look to their deligent set of forwards to deliver the goods. Skipper A. Karthelis and number 8 Namal Rajapakse have been an intergal part of the Thomians forwards and fly-half Wasim Thajudeen's pressure easing kicks has been a source of inspiration to the side. Karthelis and Thajudeen both represented the country at youth level. |
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