Trinity 48 % S T C 52%
Win predictor with Christopher Jordashe
Script writer Brian Thomas
Let’s Scrum & Engage with SriLanka sports. Com
St Thomas play host to their brother school Trinity and pundits are of the view this crunch game is the league decider for 2025 but our collective views is that,we should not count the chick’s before they are hatched.
In this second round a few upsets could take place amongst these top six sides vying for the Cup championship.
Thomians are favourites due to playing in their home turf but Trinitians have a peculiar attitude similar to their arch rivals Royal to wear the underdogs tag.
St Thomas has a distinct weight advantage in the pack and is familiar with the cross wind condition at home , which many teams find difficult to cope with when engaging in the kicking game.
This is our SWOT analysis of St Thomas Vs Trinity
S = Strength.
The Thomians are blessed with a strong set of forwards who have the power and strength to pick and drive,bull doze their way through the opposition at stages and give their three-quarter line an opportunity to spread the ball wide and play open rugby and get a few valuable oppurtunities.
The Thomian Forwards have shown they are good at breakdowns and ensure players are not isolated both in mauls and rucks.
They have also been excellent in forming the rolling maul as well. Therefore Trinity has a handful in defense,the pertinent point can Trinity defend the Thomian rolling maul as they boast of the best defence similar to Wesley.? Bulathsinghala has also proven to be an game changing player ably supported by his three quarters in attack who have the potential to breach the defence with some hard running.
W = Weakness
Thomian defence tends to slumber at times and opposition has scored some soft tries through their three quarter line and in the fringes.They must not take their eyes off the ball or be distracted but show urgency and get their defending structure sorted or Trinity will make them pay as they have some good runners in their ranks to create phases and get the extra men outside.
Forwards must play with agression, dominance ,especially in the second half as at times thomians have run short of gas and that’s the main reason they leaked 5 tries to Mahanama and were saved by the bell against Kingswood.
I guess they threw caution to the wind in these areas that got them over the line comprehensively against Isipathana but still have areas they can improve. Having stated that Trinity is a different kettle of fish because they play the percentage game.
O = Opportunity
Thomians have great opportunities in line outs , hence, they must contest even the Trinity throw ins. Taller sturdier forwards make a difference, it does make the opposition thrower look over his shoulder but this will play a pivotal role in this game and favour the side that wins the majority of line outs.
Trinity has been very vulnerable with their unforced errors, infringements they make in their run of play are important opportunities for the Thomians with Mayanka Dias having his golden boot in tact.If Trinity are to win they need to control their weaknesses in leaking infringements, unforced errors, and importantly secure their throw ins.
T = Threat
Trinity College is excellent in defence. They are slightly smaller in stature in comparison to the Thomians but they believe in the old saying bigger the man harder he falls. Thomians have to watch the Trinity line speed and ploys. Shan Altaf joins the three quarters and creates opportunities and his cross kicking has been sublime including Trinity defence has been noteworthy but the execution of the rolling maul will be a challenge for the both teams to defend.
Incidently, Thomians have conceeded more points than Trinity in defence and remember, Trinity in their crunch game against Royal ensured that Royal were starved of the white wash line. This speaks volumes of their defence .
A quick look at how the teams faired in the first round.
St Thomas beat Zahira at home by 43 points to 19. Leaked 35 points against Mahanama but got over the line by scoring 50 points. They thumped Dharmaraja in their own backyard in Kandy by 48 points to 5 but remember STC was saved by the bell against Kingswood 29 points to 28.
Guess that is the game the Thomians took note that Rugby is a 70-minute game and not a 60-minute effort.
To wind up on their performance, their best
effort was against Isipathana 36 points to 24 after leading 21 points to 14 at Lemons.
We need to point out two areas where Thomians skill level was rather impressive
when playing a quality team like patana.
The errors were minimum,except those 2 yellow cards in each half.
Trinity had a field day by thumping Sumangala by 49 points to 15 . Remember, Sumangala crossed the white wash with a goal, a try, and a penalty. They bullied Vidyartha by thumping them by 74 points to 7. Thurstan made the Lions grind a bit and Trinity won 48 points 19 and not through exceptional rugby but purely on superiority. Incidently this was their first league game in Colombo for the Lions.
Josephians gave the Lions a run for their money using their big forwards, but Trinity dumped the saints with their line speed winning by 29 points to 7. Trinity, like the Thomians, display that grit and intensity required for big games. Execute their best effort as they dumped Royal by 34 points to 12 with their goal line made out of bounds for the Reid Avenue boys,which was a rare feat in a pre Bradby game..
This report is our equation for this blockbuster game on the 19th July.
Tony Amit the former National coach , cum renowned referee, an Club player in younger man’s clothes during his era who joins our fold in views that matter rates 55 % St Thomas’ 45 % Trinity stating home advantage is a vital cog in the wheel for the Thomians.
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