Scripted by Brian Thomas
Edited by Christopher Jordashe
Third eye Tony Amit
Scrum and engage with SriLanka sports.com
We have given an insight into the cup segment with our opinion of the win predictor using a SWOT analysis. It was pertinent that individual scripts be used for the cup championship. Since 3 plate games are also scheduled for the 19th, we have decided on a joint script .
Kingswood vs. St Joseph’s
Kingswood 52 % St Joseph’s 48 %
Venue : Bogambara
The blue boys , Kingswood, always pull a rabbit out of the hat, especially in home conditions. Housed in group 2 , they were competitive throughout the first round, but consistent infringements and unforced errors let them down in competing in the prestigious cup segment. They secured 20 points in round 1 , frankly this acheivement is note worthy.
They beat Zahira in Maradana by 27 points to 18 , beat Mahanama, at Bogambara, on wet underfoot conditions by 27 points to 10 , but were disappointed with their performance against Dharmaraja a game they won by
27 points to 17 with a lacklustre performance. The blue Jersey lads from Kandy nearly choked St Thomas’ at Mount Lavinia with a 29 points to 28 loss . Even the green machines had to play out their skins to beat them by 32 points to 22. In a nut shell, Kingswood is a handful but predictable.
St Joseph’s with a strong set of forwards lacked intent except their last display against Sumangala, but it was too late. An old saying no point closing the gate after the horse has bolted.
They secured 16 points in round 1 stage, simply thumped Sumangala by 67 points to 7 , looked over their shoulders to beat Thurstan by 26 points to 5 and did exceptionally well to draw against Vidyartha 24 points each at Nittawala. Sadly they were defeated by Royal and Trinity but result was predictable. Trinity beat them by 29 points to 7 and Royal 33 points to 14.
Kingswood leaked 106 points in group 2 , whilst St Joseph’s gave away 98 points against their opponents in group 3.
Views from Tony Amit indicate a win predictor of 52 % in favour of St Joseph’s and 48 % in favour of Kingswood. He feels that their display in their last outing against Sumangala proved their skill levels have improved.
Ananda vs. Sumangala
Ananda 54 % Sumangala 46%.
Venue : Rajagiriya
Ananda has improved game by game whilst Sumangala looked impressive in patches , hence, it is envisaged that Ananda will use their hard running back line to disrupt the Sumangala defence that was exposed to a great extent in their last outing against St Joseph’s.
Ananda accumulated 12 points in the first round in group 1. The Maradana boys carry great memories of their win against St Anthony’s at Nittawala by 30 points to 27.It was an excellent display of open Rugby against Science College to win by 32 points to 26.However they lost to the DONS in a keenly fought battle by 22 points to 18 , guess their loss to the Peterites who beat them by 38 points to 22 and Wesley by 43 points to 11 was purely on superiority.
Sumangala surprisingly had a mixed fortune of a season in round 1 to state the least. They too accumulated 12 points in round 1 housed in group 3 , registered a memorable win against the home team rivals Vidyartha by 24 points to 12 and beat Thurstan 38 points to 22 whilst Trinity dumped them by 49 points 15 , Royal outplayed them by 53 points 3 , and St Joseph’s by a shocking margin of 67 points to 7 , which is a worry.
Sumangala conceeded 206 points in defence, and Ananda 156.
Tony Amit indicated that Sumangala looked jaded against St Joseph’s. He stated that the weeks rest would have rejuvenated them. Hence, he states it is a 50 – 50 % win predictor.
Zahira vs. DONS
Zahira 51 % DONS 49 %
Venue : Maradana.
On home venue Zahira are a different bunch. They spread the ball better and create many attacking phases but their opponents DS will use their heavier set of forwards to ensure that the Zahira three-quarter line is starved of possession.
Zahira accumulated 13 points in round 1 after being housed in group 2.
They started the league on a high by thumping Dharmaraja by 56 points to 19 , ended round 1 by a run away victory against Mahanama by 58 points to 17 and gave Kingswood a run for their money but finally lost with their heads held high by 27 points 18. However they were undone by the Thomians by 43 points to 19. They had a great performance against the Green machines and came back strongly in the second half but lost by 38 points to 27 after being led by 24 points to 8 at Lemons.
DONS are an exciting nimble footed outfit, but lack of confidence and defence when chips are down,which seem to take a toll on them. In attack they look a good team with great potential.
In defence sadly, they drip down sometimes to a bowl mode. Very talented and skilful , love their attitude, fight until the final whistle. Hence, no team with an iota of common sense will take the DONS for granted as they are unpredictable.
DS accumulated 18 points by beating St Anthony’s in Nittawala by 24 points to 19 , hard fought win against Science by 36 points to 29 , beat Ananda by 22 points to 18 , Wesley outplayed the DONS to win 29 points to 10 , and St Peters were tested but got to the finishing line by 24 points to 19.
In defence, Zahira leaked 144 points whilst DS a miserly 119 points.
Tony Amit indicated that Zahira College will be just a shade ahead by 51 % to 49 % , but quickly added , Zahira will be tested. Hence, to maintain their positive win predictor, they need to keep their forwards always alert in defence.
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