The plate championship in the league this year will be competitive , stats,ranking and script look very interesting as competition amongst these teams seem close.
Team : St Joseph’s
Coach : Dulanjana Wijesinghe
Script: Brian Thomas
Adjudicated by Christopher Jordashe
Third eye : Tony Amit
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Played 5
Won 2
Drew 1
Points 16
Points scored 148
Points Against 98
St Joseph’s were placed in group 3 and had the herculean task of playing both Royal and Trinity but they did well to cross the white wash of Royal twice and Trinity once,which itself is an achievement.
Started the season on a decline as they drew with Vidyartha, Lost to Trinity and Royal but beat the gusty thurstan outfit. However, their final showing against Sumangala was truly prestine.
Before the Sumangala game, they seemed on the back foot on 81 points in their favour and 91 points against the sudden burst and energy in their last outing showed they have it in them to go the distance.
Taking into consideration the stiff opposition, they had to cope against two quality teams, being Royal and Trinity.
In our books, we rank them as number 2.
Team : Sri Sumangala
Coach: Malith Hettiaratchi
Played 5
Won 2
Points 12
Points scored 82
Points Against 201
Relatively new at this level but credible of them rising to compete with top tier teams, the boys from Kandy had to cope with Royal and Trinity.
They scored 15 worthy points against Trinity 1 goal,1 try and 1 penalty. The positive point is they crossed the Trinity white wash twice. Incidentally, they beat home team rivals Vidyartha for the first time and this was a huge victory.
Guess inconsistency and match fitness is an area coach Hettiaratchi will work on because the thumping by 67 points to 7 against St Joseph’s not only marred their confidence level but has pushed them down the ladder to rank 6 in our ratings.
Team : Kingswood
Coach: Anurada Kastuaratchi
Played : 5
Won : 3
Points : 20
Points Scored: 131
Points Against: 106
They are skillfull dark horses and a very dangerous side when let loose or when their three quarters and forwards click. Sadly infringements, including unforced errors throughout the season, cost them dearly in their strive to reach excellence and be in that top tier.
They had to cope with the Thomian challenge in their breezy mount den but nearly spoilt their championship chances as win margin was negligible.
They sent a clear message to the green machines we are here to play and not be counted as numbers and held Isipathana within striking distance of 12 points to 10 at the breather, but lost 32 points to 22.
The Randlehill boys spoilt the party for Zahira in their own backyard too, Mahanama, were undone at Bogambara, and of course, it took an extra effort to beat Dharmaraja by 27 points to 17. The doctors prescription states ” COMPLACENCY”.
In our books, Kingswood is the number 1 ranked team in the plate Division.
Team: Zahira
Coach : Radhika Hettiaratchi
Played: 5
Won 2
Points 13
Points 178
Points Against 144
Playing this up and coming team with a well trimed backline in their own den could be a nightmare to any team.The key problem area is whether they blow hot or blow cold keeps their fan base with sour finger nails.
The points for 178 are positive to points against 144, which looks deceptive in your minds eye.
They blew hot against Dharmaraja and Mahanama to record a 50 plus win , took the eyes off the ball against Kingswood to lose by 27 points to 18 in the dying moments of the game , blew cold against the Thomians at Mount to lose by 43 points to 19 , but held their heads high against Isipathana despite their loss by 38 points to 27 after being led by 26 points to 8 at Lemons.
Reluctantly, we rank them at number 4.
Team : D.S. Senanayake
Coach : Asela Deshapriya
Played 5
Won 2
Points 18
Points for 111
Points Against 119
With an excellent set of forwards, we expected the DONS to upset more apple carts this season. Home based in group 1,was placed with tournament favourites Wesley and defending champions St Peters breathing down their nostrils. Wesley outplayed them 29 points to 10 , but St Peters won 24 points to 17, only fell short of upsetting the Peterites gateway into the champions segment by 7 points after spending the last 6 minutes in Bamba brigade fringe lines.
DONS, we ranked you at number 3 .
The DONS showed their prowess against St Anthony’s at Nittawala winning by 26 points to 19 , Science by 36 points, to 29 , had an off day against Ananda winning by 22 points to 18.
Team : Ananda
Coach : Amila Chathuranga
Played 5
Won 2
Points 12
Points for 113
Points Against 156
This is a team who lost their first league game against defending champions St Peters by 38 points to 22 after being promoted from the B division. Many Rugby fans expected a 50-plus score from the Bamba brigade, but many eye brows were raised when they crossed the Peterites line 4 times with their hard-working forwards.
Another team with good potential and have some potential runners in their ranks. Of course, a loss to Wesley was expected , 43 points to 10 . Their win against St. Anthony’s at Nittawala by 30 points to 27 was breathtaking. However, they can take a leaf from their hard running three-quarter line who helped them over the line against Science by 32 points to 26 , an excellent display of open Rugby
We place the Maradana lads at number 5
Our final plate rankings after round 1.
1. Kingswood
2. St Joseph’s
3. D.S.Senanayake
4. Zahira
5. Ananda
6. Sumangala
Tony Amit indicated that St Joseph’s, Kingswood, and Zahira have similar structures, but the difference will be based on how they control their infringements under anxiety. His order is appended.
1 St Joseph’s
2 Kingswood
3 Zahira
4 DS
5 Ananda
6 Sumangala
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