Isipathana and St Peter’s, sadly, play for prestige since all hopes for the league title seem out of reach.
Scrum and Engage with SriLankaSports.com as we present the win predictor.
Scripted by Brian Thomas
Adjudicated by Christopher Jordashe
Third eye: Tony Amit
The two schools that have dominated schools rugby over the last decade will clash again this Saturday for prestige, since the silverware they held in their cabinet for many years has bid them goodbye for this current league title.
Let’s analyse the SWOT of both teams.
St Peter’s 51% – Isipathana 49%
St Peter’s
S = Strength
A noteworthy feature is that skipper Vishenka Silva has been shifted back to his original position of wing three-quarter from his newfound position of full-back this season. Big question for Sanath Martis, the coach: has he closed the gate after the horse has bolted?
The presence of Vishenka on the wing can pose a big threat to Isipathana, who have leaked more tries due to their lack of defence, with their back line faltering.
The Peterites displayed a vast improvement in attack, especially the three-quarters, when set in motion against the Thomians. They seem to have the pace with their speedy fly-half Jamal Wahab and co-vice-captain Emith Jayaweera at centre, who have now become the strength of the Bamba brigade, with Vishenka Silva joining the line that can pierce any defence.
Peterite forwards do come off in patches in the pick-and-drive mauls. If they get their act right in the rolling maul off the danger zone line-out, they need to work the short side with Vishenka Silva, as Pathana will be wary of him if given any space.
W = Weakness
Frankly, mental strain and lack of self-confidence. Let’s not speculate on the root cause of that problem in the Peterite camp, but their close wins against weaker opposition this season and pulling out of the President’s Knock-out Tournament sadly seem to have taken a toll.
This year, they appear flat-footed in breakdowns, lacklustre in counter-rucking, and importantly, they are not executing line-outs well. At times, they are reluctant to feed their three-quarter line whilst trying to spread the ball wide. Like all teams, they have a Plan B under pressure—but the Peterites are not executing the fallback option effectively.
O = Opportunity
Shaakib Zumri of Isipathana was red-carded. Hence, the Peterites could not have dreamed of a better opportunity—losing a key forward and leader. Isipathana without Zumri could be like a ship without a rudder. This was proven beyond doubt when they lost Zumri in the second half with a red card against Trinity. If the Peterites win the scrums and don’t mess up their line-out throw-ins, they should concentrate on playing basic rugby without infringements. Opportunities will present themselves, because the Green Machine seem shell-shocked with injuries and a few unfit bodies on the park. They also lack a reliable tee-off kicker.
T = Threat
Remember, St Peter’s—the Green Machine hits you when you least expect it. Complacency by any opposition is the gateway for them to steal your celebration, and playing 70 minutes against them is of paramount importance. They have excellent individuals—namely Dodangoda in the line-outs (he can steal your throw-ins), Sethum Rajapaksa, the slippery Nimantha Sandeepa, Avishka Hiran and Madushan—who are impact players.
Isipathana
S = Strength
With many impact players mentioned above, Isipathana is a dangerous team that plays the full duration of the game, building hope with an optimistic mindset even when the chips are down. Mentally, they are very strong, but as a unit seem slightly split. Individual brilliance is spectacular at times. They are excellent in line-outs, aggressive in pick-and-drives, and nimble-footed in breakdowns.
W = Weakness
No Zumri for this game, whilst playing in Bamba territory—but the park is no weakness, except for their defence, which has cost them dearly.
They lack the ability to defend their whitewash in fringe attacks. Defence by the three-quarters has been a huge weak link. They have often been guilty of not dropping back 10 metres and have leaked too many points due to multiple errors.
O = Opportunity
If Isipathana keeps possession, they will crack the Peterite defence, which has not done well this season. Isipathana must run the ball and avoid aimless kicking, because the Peterites can become vulnerable without possession. That leads to infringements and will give the Green Machine territorial advantage.
T = Threat
Isipathana knows the absence of Zumri creates a vacuum in their forwards, especially in retaining the ball during breakdowns. Pick-and-drive against St Peter’s is an issue due to a lack of power without their playmaker. Sanath Martis, the Peterite coach, will get his boys to use shoulder strength against the Isipathana forwards in rucks and mauls as well.
Tony Amit’s Corner
St Peter’s has a 51% chance because Isipathana is not clicking as a unit, but rather relying purely on individual brilliance. In my books, he states, Martis—the Peterite coach—knows the mindset of Isipathana, and after a big loss last week, he will get his forwards to exploit the Pathana weak link without Zumri.
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