Brian Thomas is reporting exclusively for SriLanka sports. Com Edited by Christopher Jordashe.
The headline tagged as the teaser looks obvious, but Christopher Jordashe added the last pars , ending with ” unpredictable.” This is good for school, Rugby , because one-sided games has an effect on interest cum concentration to the rugby fraternity.
St Thomas’ vs Zahira.
The Thomians need a pep talk. They took the final trumpet of the referee for granted in their last outing and lost concentration of the game before the final whistle, which gave a different perspective of their talent in those dying stages of a keenly contested game.
No doubt Zahira will be confident after their second half rally in their last game, but Thomians are a difficult nut to crack.
The heavy forwards of STC are quick to the breakdowns and physically the Thomian forwards can shoulder push Zahiha when given the pick and go opportunities.
Thomians seem to be better disciplined in all facets of the game but falter in some of their basics as seen in their last outing.All ball handling skills must be vital in each and every game.
Zahira must be given an accolade for the type of Rugby they play. Obviously, the boys from Maradana have to use their forwards to counter the Thomian attack , the only solution is to defend like your only for survival. Their threes can be affective when they have created a few phases of play.
Zahira must be cautious when forming a ruck , they tend to shove sideways instead of upright and have to work the rolling maul , off line outs against a heavier set of forwards which could be challenging.
Zahira surely will contest the line outs period. Thomian three-quarters generally get well fed off easy takes in line outs and can be threatening if the line is fed with space , the Bulathsinghala menace can haunt Zahira.We saw some good moves on the short sight which ended up in tries against kingswood.
Zahira must watch the fringes and avoid mistakes in your territory because Bulathsinghala and his ” T” kicking at goal is about the best amongst the schools this season.
Win predictor St Thomas’ 60 to Zahira 40 %.
Trinity vs. Vidyatha
Trinity back again on home turf will have to be disciplined in their game plan as far too many infigements but they survived in their last outing with a surge of some good combinations and rally in their 2nd Half.. Vidyartha can be unforgiving with some speedy three quarters they posses if they get any oppurtunity.
The Lions tend to overwork their forwards in both defence and attack. Sadly, their three-quarter line seems to be off colour, but that is due to a flat footed three-quarter line who only get chirped when Shan Altaf joins the fold.
Forwards are quick at breakdowns , that is pleasing to note but the rolling maul worked to near perfection in their last outing.They must improve the infringements in their rucks and mauls..Viraj should be working hard on those aspects with his 3 asst forward coaches.
Shan Altaf must get his ” T” kicks at goal to perfection because in the last outing, he had an average game by his standards.
Trinity has continued to be excellent in defence but have been vulnerable when cross passes are executed by the opponents three-quarter moves, which has got their defence in disarray or foxes them more often than not.
Vidyartha will come in as underdogs to this big game but they will be competitive for sure , their defence is strong, but they tend to overreact in breakdowns.They have impressived in their ruck,mauls and drives.
They must play out of their danger zone whilst gaining territory and push the Lions into their own den. Otherwise, Trinity can go the mile.
We can envisage a close game against the two home team rivals , but Trinity seems to be a stronger team in the win predictor 60 per cent in favour of Trinity to 40 to Vidyartha.
Wesley vs D.S. Senanayake
D.S. might be new kids off the blocks, but their last outing away from home and that too playing against a more experienced outfit proved they are here to play and not an ” also ran ” team.They have got more purpose in their playing style when they play with intensity.
Wesley is the other hand is one of the teams this year expected to be in the super sixes.
They are a well knit unit, and they play open rugby with a strong set of forwards doing plenty of work in feeding their nimble footed three-quarter line.
The area of concern for them is their defense , especially in their own danger zone, which has cost them dearly in their battle against Isipathana in the Presidents knock-out tournament.
It must be stated that the issue has been addressed, but they looked vulnerable at times in their defence, collapsing under pressure that cost them twin tries in their last game.I am sure they will improve with every game.
DS has to be at their best, especially in breakdowns . A shade too slow against quality teams can be their undoing in conceeding valuable points.
It is also important for them to compete in line outs because they seem to give up or not contest when the throw is with the opposition.
Wesley 70 DS 30
Thurstan vs. St. Joseph’s
This we envisage as the only one-sided game coming up this week. St Joseph’s did well in their outing last week, and that too up in Kandy despite plenty of handling errors St Joseph’s held onto a challenging draw.
This week, it is Thurstan , and the Reid Avenue lads have no team to emulate except their attire because they have a long way to go to hold their own.
St Joseph’s will try their bench strength for sure in this,game but thurstan lads must condition or lift their game to compete at A division level. Their display last week had more folly than grab as they simply looked very lonely in the big park against strong teams.
We hope these issues can be sorted as it is great to see every team competing in this league and not be considered minnows
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