By Brian Thomas Reporting exclusively for SriLanka sports. Com Edited by Christopher Jordashe.
8 games are scheduled for week number 2 in the Dialogue Schools league games, but we prefer to present 4 games in script number 1, followed by script 2 shortly.
St Peters vs. St. Anthony’s
Sr Peters will go out as favourites, but coach Sanath Martis has done overtime drilling his boys after their off colour display against Ananda College last week.
The Bamba brigade was caught in possession more often than not , three-quarters, despite being nimble footed, ran into traffic but could not side step the Maradana boys defense,which gave signs of the defending champions being very rusty by their high standards.
St Peters created opportunities during the breakdowns, but then again, they were too intent in their approach. The forwards pick and go and drive for territorial gain lacked the finishing touches.
Credit must be given to St Peters’ defence that saved them from an unlikely cart wheel turn in their last outing.
This week they should be at full strength as well.
St Anthony’s will have to be at their very best in defence. Dummys are sold by opponents against them mainly due to a lack of coordination in all facets of the game. Spread that ball St Anthony’s is the call and recycle.
The Katugastota lads seem confused at times whilst in possession.
Peterites will come back like a wounded tiger if St. Anthony’s does not get their defense intact and contest the line outs meaningfully and with purpose.
St Anthony’s should not let their players get isolated during breakdowns and mauls , if a few of their weaknesses are not attended to , it will end up being a free for all display for the Peterites with Sanath Martis getting his entire bench on show.
Win predictor St Peters 80 % St Anthony’s 20 %
Kingswood vs. Isipathana
Jordashe warned all of us about the dark horses of group 2 ,the red jerseys from Randall’s hill from the cool climbes of Kandy.
They could be a handful if taken for granted, and the Thomians will endorse that statement as they escaped by a whisker.
Isipathana has learnt a bitter lesson of being a shade lacklustre by nature in the first half, after which they wake up to play catch up Rugby. Frankly, this might not work with Kingswood, especially in their home turf.
Kingswood, on the other hand ,must stop that virus of kicking aimlessly by losing valuable possession, also addressing their excess of infringements in open play because the green machine are a unit that will go a mile given an inch.
Remember, the root cause of Trinity losing the presidents’ knock-out to Isipathana was due to their poor ball handling errors and continuous infringements.
Sadly, Kingswood seems to have that similar folly as well but would make a great disciplined effort at home. Isipathana knows that Kingswood is sharp in the fringes and playing on home territory they can spoil the green machines’ happiness if they don’t throw caution to the wind.
Isipathana must play their brand of flashy open rugby. It was disappointing to see their forwards bunching together and not getting their speedy three-quarters in motion against much improved Mahanama.
We all know they are quick learners.
My prediction is subject to correction , Isipathana should be tagged as favourites.
Win predictor Isipathana 55 % Kingswood 45%
Sri Sumangala vs. Royal.
Will it be a test for Royal playing in their happy hunting ground, Bogambara ?
It will be testing if their defence does fail because Sri Sumangala being new comers to the big division league trailed only by 5 points in the first half against Trinity.
Sri Sumangala three-quarters looked impressive against Trinity and scored twice against a solid Trinity defence. One try through a superlative three-quarters move and second a pick and go by their forwards. Good job, Sumangala
Royal after the thumping they dished out to Thurstan are clear favourites, we are sure Dushantha Lewke will be breathing a sigh of relief that the Royal rolling maul against Thurstan worked out picture perfect last week.
That’s good news. Royal must correct a few niggles they have in ruck and mauls , including the inconsistency in line outs to excel in this group.
Sri Sumangala is an up and coming team . The experience they gained playing against Trinity last week and tasting a bout of fierce defence will do them in good stead.
Win predictor Royal 70 % Sri Sumangala 30 %.
Mahanama vs. Dharmaraja
By the looks of what we have seen so far , Mahanama must be bubling with confidence after their excellent showing against Isipathana but a poor 2nd half.
They need to address their line out issues they encountered in the second half by poor throwing and not be over dependent on loose head scrums to win possession. The many infigements they gave in favour of Isipathana last week must be corrected as the Colpetty school gets deeper into the competition in group 2.
Dharmaraja kandy must realise the game is 70 minutes and not 35 minutes .
They looked a different outfit in the first half against Zahira and collapsed like a pack of cards in the second half. They need to keep the same momentum against the top sides or it could an issue on the scoreline.
Guess every mistake in the coaching manuel must have been made by this talented Dharmaraja team after lemons, and they were seen crying for help wandering aimlessly with ball in hand. Rugby is a physical sport with no quarters asked nor given , hence, Dharmaraja players conditioning is a priority to last 70 minutes on the park is a prerequisite.
Win predictor Mahanama 65 % Dharmaraja 35 %.
The rest of the games over the forthcoming week are to be scripted under the command of Christopher Jordashe and are as appended.
Trinity vs. Vidyatha
St Thomas vs. Zahira
Wesley vs. DS
Thurstan vs. St Joseph’s
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