By Brian Thomas Reporting exclusively for SriLanka sports. Com Edited by Christopher Jordashe.
Wesley vs. St Peters
@ Havelock Park
Wesley 55 % St Peters 45 %
Defending champions, St. Peters are under the pump. There were too many close calls. What’s up is the Peterites call. They were saved by the bell against Science last week , nearly made a hash of it against Ananda, and were not too convincing either against St Anthony’s. Martis has his work cut out , his boys have not seen that light at the end of the tunnel so far. Wesley their opponents is the team to watch and have improved heaps and bounds.
The double blues and their nimble footed three-quarter line are synchronising well with their hard-working forwards, this game will be a block buster.
Trinity vs. St. Joseph’s
@ CR&FC Colombo
Trinity 55 % St Joseph’s 45 %
Trinity to qualify for the super sixes must beat St Joseph’s, and the challenge is not in their own park but in Colombo at Longdon place. Trinity must play their regular 15 , stop making the continuous infringements which are clinging to them like glue at times, also they need to follow the catch and give,distribute ” , don’t grab and ensure better handling. Trinity must feed their three-quarter line to maintain our speculative win predictor. St Joseph’s are not pure underdogs. They have the power to upset Trinity up the ladder this season. Their heavy set of forwards must be competitive in breakdowns and use their weight advantage in scrums and on push and go gateway opportunities. Josephians must test the Trinity defence by spreading the ball wide and continue the phases using their strong forwards as well. Let Trinity do some chasing.
Isipathana vs. Zahira
@ Maradana
Isipathana 60 % Zahira 40 %
If Isipathana was playing their brand of rugby to their high standards, the win predictor would read 75 % in their favour. So far, the greens have not been able to stamp their authority over the oppositions they have played this season so far in the league. Consistency must be maintained to win a league.
Their game against Mahanama was no pushover,Kingswood crossed their white wash twice close to the long whistle, Dharmaraja gave the greens a taste of Nittawala in Muddy conditions including a taste of Rajans strength in the second half. Isipathana was seen huffing and puffing, waiting for the long whistle.
The Green Machine has the best lineout specialists among the schools, forwards who are quick to pounce on breakdowns, excellent shoulder strength in pick and go , two gifted lines kicking specialists, but not a goal converting kicker.
Zahira, on the other hand, seems wounded after their loss to Kingswood. Blame yourselves, gentlemen, no excuses, tankers must learn to defend. They are a talented bunch who can upset any team with their mobile forwards. However, the three-quarter line must straighten up in attack. Frankly, if they play to their potential, Isipathana can have another testing week.
We would never write them off.
Royal vs. Vidyartha
@ Royal college Compex.
Royal 70 % Vidyatha 30 %
This is expected to be a one-sided game because Vidyartha seems to have switched off and is struggling big time this season. Dushantha Lewke, the Royal coach, will try his bench in this game for sure , because next week, they scrum down against their arch rivals Trinity in their league game, hence player management,rotation is important due to a long season.
Trinity doesn’t have that luxury because they need their full strength in the penultimate game against the Josephians. Based on that this game against Vidyartha for Royal is the ideal outing equivalent to a warm up game.
St Thomas vs. Dharmaraja
@ Nittawala
STC 60 % Dharmaraja 40%
The Thomians will be seen in Kandy for the first time this season. It will be a challenge because they are playing against another impressive team that has improved immensely after their appalling show against Zahira.
Thomians will have to tighten their defense because Dharmaraja crept through the strong defense of the Green Machine thrice in their last outing at this venue.
They seem quick in the breakdowns and keep play amongst the forwards with great control.
Thomians have another issue similar to their brother school , trinity the catch & give, support as opposed to the deadly and blinded grab and give a weakness that needs to be corrected.
They faced an interception try in the last Mahanama game as well due to a slow lobbed pass.
Thomians must spread the ball and run hard with their fluent ploys to ensure to score points in the first half so that Dharmaraja will be forced to play catch-up rugby if they have the strength and will to put up a fight.
Our next episode on Win Predictor will feature Ananda vs St Anthony’s @ Nittawala. Thurstan vs Sri Sumangala @ Bogambara Science vs DS @ Havelock Park and Kingswood vs Mahanama, venue to be confirmed.
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