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By Special Correspondent;
The excitement only promises to escalate as the Dialog Schools Rugby League 2024 continues for the second week, with the usual lineup of eight encounters this weekend.
On Saturday (22nd June), six matches are scheduled to go down for decisions, while the remaining two encounters have been confirmed for Sunday (23rd June).
The picks out of the six Saturday encounters will be surely the one between giant killers D.S. Senanayake College and Trinity College, to be played at Havelock Park, with the one at Maradana between neighbouring rivals, as Zahira College host St. Joseph’s College.
Last Saturday (15th June), D.S. Senanayake pulled off a commanding 44-12 win against Dharmaraja at Bobambara, while Trinity, after a shaky start, nailed S. Thomas’ by 31-8 at Pallekele.
It will be interesting to see how the Dons, who seem to have a plan of their own, will fare against the much-experienced campaigners Trinity, who too are gradually gearing up with a mission.
Zahira will host St. Joseph’s in an interesting battle after both teams suffered shocking defeats in their opening week encounters – against Wesley and Vidyartha respectively.
Both defeats do not undermine the real strength of Zahira or St. Joseph’s, who looked shaken and reached their helm when time ran out.
Another battle of losers will be played at Mt. Lavinia when S. Thomas’ hosts St. Anthony’s, as both teams surely anticipate a win.
The Thomians were clinically beaten by Trinity last week, while the Antonians suffered a shocking 14-27 loss against Science College, both in Kandy.
This encounter will be of high importance for both sides as they seek to snatch the first win of the tournament, as the Thomians hold the upper hand with home advantage.
Another clash between two losing sides from last weekend, newcomers Sri Sumangala and Dharmarja at Bogambara, should be an interesting game to follow.
Dharmaraja, a former league winner, are not in their prime, while Sri Sumangala showed some energy and zest despite their 50-3 thrashing by Isipathana.
The remaining two encounters for Saturday – Kingswood vs St. Peter’s at Nittawela and Thurstan vs Wesley at Ratmalana – are definite one-sided affairs considering last week’s outcomes.
Defending League champions, St. Peter’s, who massacred Thurstan by 112-0 last week, will aim for a similar win against the hapless Kingswood unit, who received a 60-5 thrashing by Royal College.
Wesley, who overcame Zahira by 21-14, will look to emulate what the Peterites did last weekend against Thurstan, who are yet to show that they are ready for the challenges in the top league.
The game between hosts Vidyartha and Royal at Nittawela on Sunday (23rd June) should be an interesting one, as the encounter promised to be the real indicator of both teams’ future and intentions at the competition.
So will be the encounter between Science and Isipathana at Ratmalana, with both teams making their intentions clear during the opening week with commanding wins.
Saturday (22nd June)
Thomas’ College vs St. Anthony’s College at Mt. Lavinia (3:45pm)
D.S. Senanayake College vs Trinity College at Havelock Park (3:45pm)
Kingswood College vs St. Peter’s College at Nittawela (3:45pm)
Zahira College vs St. Joseph’s College at Maradana (3:45pm)
Thurstan College vs Wesley College at Ratmalana (3:45pm)
Sri Sumangala College vs Dharmaraja College at Bogambara (3:45pm)
Sunday (23rd June)
Vidyartha College vs Royal College at Nittawela (3:45pm)
Science College vs Isipathana College at Ratmalana (3:45pm)
