CHRIS DHAMBARAGE
COLOMBO – S. Thomas’ College will look to avenge their last year’s defeat when they take on arch-rivals St. Joseph’s College in their Inter-Schools Under-19 Division One League Rugby Tournament encounter at Mount Lavinia on Saturday. The kick-off is at 4.15 p.m.
This highly anticipated Group 1A fixture is of great significance for both teams for two reasons as they look to consolidate their position after having experienced mixed fortunes in the current season.
Both teams will be keen to pull off this high-profile game as they are currently level on points (11) and are chasing an elusive Super Round slot along with St. Anthonys’ College and D. S. Senanayake College.
However, the Thomians have played only three games so far, as they have notched up two wins and suffered one defeat while their rivals St. Joseph’s have figured in four matches while winning two and losing two matches.
In addition, the Thomians will be gunning for revenge as they look to settle scores on the field after their narrow miss in last year’s game where they went down by a two-point margin (28-30) at Havelock Park.
Fly half Yehan Bulathsinghalage will be keen to make amends for his lapse in last year’s game where he failed to add the extra points following a last-minute try, which deprived the Thomians from forcing a draw to the game.
However, St. Joseph’s Skipper Naveen Marasinghe will carry some happy memories from the 2022 game into this outing as on that occasion the burly number eight emerged as the star player with three magnificent tries.
St. Joseph’s (From): Nithik Rodrigo, Ishan Soysa, Induwara Sandesh, Jehan Athukorala, Rithika Weragama, Malinda Shehath, Tiran Wijegoonawardena, Sathira Gunathilaka, Chamod Kavindya, Uthesh Robinson, Sithaga Liyanage, Janith Marasinghe, Denistan Croos, Sachinthana Waidyanatha, Vishika Fernando, Ryan Fernando, Cline Bowels, Ashen Minura, Naveen Marasinghe (Captain), Senithu Eran, Vihanga Randeepa, Leon Costa, Oshan Silva, Beeshma Jayasekera, Nathan Gunaratne, Ruchitha Rodrigo, Ivano White, Shenalka Cooray, Sasindu Kariyawasam, Senal Marc, Brian Fernando, Dion Fernando, Rehon Jayasinghe, Enesh Fernando, Rasindu Prasath, Shanuka Alahakoon, Daham Dias, Pramod Kavinda.
S. Thomas’ (From): Jayod Perera, Damien Daniel, Trian Gamlathge, Manil Fernando, Mohamed Hakeem, Kaveesha Lenagala, Nevan Goonawardena, Shalyn Wanagasooriya, Savantha Perera, Akesh Fernando, Shevin Udugama, Raneth Fernando, Reshane Dwight, Dehan Senaratne, Gerrard Martynstyn, Chaithra Gunasekera, Shanel Fernando, Mahith Perera, Venuka Wickramasinghe, Shyanouk Kulathunga, Rashendra Rathnayake, Yehan Bulathsinghalage, Navindha Rekawa, Viyaan de Silva (Captain), Seneshka Liyanagunawardana, Ahmadh Riffaz, Gothira Eriyagama, Havindu de Silva, Akith Cooray, Averan Noah, Jehan Jayasinghe, Deshwan Navarathna, Henrey Richard, Pujana Kasthuriarachchi.
