CHRIS DHAMBARAGE
COLOMBO – St. Joseph’s College and Wesley College will look to bounce back from last week’s setback when they clash in another Inter-Schools Under-19 ‘A’ Division League Rugby Tournament match at the Royal Sports Complex in Colombo on Saturday.
In fact, the Josephians had a shock start to the new season as they were humiliated 12-22 by an unfancied St. Anthony’s outfit at the Bogambara Stadium in Kandy while the Wesleyites figured in a close game before going down to S. Thomas’ 13-19 at Mount Lavinia.
Both teams had a good season last year and were able to make it to the Super Round segment of the League Championship and the semi-finals of the President’s Trophy Knock-Out Tournament.
However, St. Joseph’s emerged victorious on both occasions as they won the Super Round league fixture 26-11 at Havelock Park and went on to record an exciting 16-13 win in the knock-out semi-finals played at the same venue.
This time the Josephians will be spearheaded by the dynamic number eight Naveen Marasinghe, who is set to have another outstanding season following his heroics last year.
The crack third row forward will be their key player and is certain to cause some severe damage to the opposition with his clever thinking and smart work in the rucks and mauls.
Another senior player in the team is flanker Sachinthana Waidyanatha, who is a tremendous ball carrier and a good line-out jumper, capable of making heavy inroads into the opposition.
Vihanga Randeepa is also a season campaigner, and he will operate from the base of the scrum and should be a huge asset for St. Joseph’s with his tactical kicking options.
Meanwhile, Wesley will be captained by prop forward Kaveesh Jayman, and they will look to produce an improved performance with their heavy set of forwards and speedy back division.
