The curtains of the U20 inter-schools rugby season will come down with the final clash for supremacy between S.Thomas’ and Isipathana who will battle it out for the Milo All Island U20 rugby knockout title at the Royal Sports Complex ground in Reid Avenue today from 4.30 p.m. onwards.
The clash no doubt is going to be a keen tussle with the high riding Thomians who are coming into the game as favourites looking forward to win their first Milo knockout title while Isipathana who have won the title on four occasions and who are undergoing a bad patch will also go all out to regain the trophy which they last won in 2001.
For the record the Patanas first won the Milo trophy in 1996 and they retained it. They again won the title in 1999 and 2001 and since then they have played in two finals, but had to play second fiddle to St Peter’s in 2006 and 2007.
On the other hand for the Thomians it will be their third knockout final appearance having earlier entered the final in the year 2000 and 2003 but ended up as losers to Kingswood on both occasions.
Looking forward to this clash the Thomians will be coming with their heads high having ended up as number two in the league segment and also having beaten the same opponents in the league clash 28-12.
But even then the Havelock Park boys cannot be underestimated; though they were not consistent they put up some sterling performance during the league season to end up in the fifth position
They will be coming into the game with the intention of taking revenge for their defeat in the league encounter. But will they be able to counter the attack from the Thomians is left to be seen.
Looking back at the performances of the two teams in the knockout stage the Thomians received a bye and then confronted St Anthony’s in the semi final. They were made to fight hard for their win which they achieved after undergoing some anxious moments.
Isipathana too faced stiff opposition from Dharmaraja in the quarter final. They pulled off a win after having conceded a 7-14 lead to the Rajans to edge them out 25-21. The semi final encounter against Wesley too was not up to their expectations. They had to pull out all resources available before gaining a 29-5 win.
Nevertheless the Thomians who possess a strong outfit this season would not like to throw away the golden opportunity of clinching their first ever knockout title.
Isipathana on the other hand, of course will no doubt be looking forward to spoil the Thomian party. But for sure the spectators and the supporters of both sides are assured of a blockbuster finale.
Isipathana - Niroshan Fernando (Capt), Vishwamithra Jayasinghe, Tharindu Siriwardena, Prasad Devinda, Dhanushka Sooriyaarachchi, Thilina Dayasiri, Saajith Suhaib, Muqsith Kuthdoos, Uthpala Seneviratne, Prashan Attanayake, Mohamed Rizwan, Ashan Gallage, Uresh Fonseka, Dinuka Dananjaya, Prasad Madusanka, DeshanArachchi, Shenal Dias, Gayashan Maldeniya, Nipuna Devinda, Mekalanka Pramodaya.
S. Thomas’ - Shaveen Kapuwatte (Capt), Janik Jayasuriya, Rajindra Gunasekera, Arjun Manoharan, Amrik Andrado, Anuruddha Wilwara, Praveen Perera, Roshanka Kodituwakku, Tishan Wickramasinghe, Asela Kohona, Rukhan Rila, Sanjiv Ahangama, Dinuka Amarasinghe, Sachin David, Jeewaka Hewawitharana, Anjula de Silva, Sandeep Jayawardena, Shailendra Samarajeewa, Danidu Silva, Jeremy Fernando, Asith Wijesinghe, Ishenka Pilapitiya. Sudharshana Muthuthanthri.
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