Round 2 - Are You Not Entertained Enough?
Trinity continues their dream run, Royal and Isipathana find their winning ways again with narrow wins, which means this week's encounters could all go down to the wire!
If the first week was not entertaining enough, the second week of the second round is sure to keep you on the edge of your seats! This Cug Segment preview of the Dialog Schools Rugby League will not only highlight the clashes to unfold, but will also show how all teams can still go on to win the title.
The Sidelines
Archibald Perera Trophy After 3 Years
For the first time since 2022, St. Peter's College will be playing against S.Thomas' College and it will be for the Archibald Perera Trophy that has been sitting in the Thomian cabinet for the last 10 years. Both teams are coming from defeats last week and will look to show they are not yet finished, and the Peterites in particular, will be out of the title race if they lose this encounter.
The Trophy is named after Archibald Perera, a legendary Old Peterite who not only represented CR&FC and Ceylon Rugby but also held the Ceylon Half Mile and One Mile Records from 1936 to 1939, and is also credited for compiling Sri Lanka Cricket's first score book, which is something he is not recognised enough for as a silent contributor.
Thomians after winning the last encounter played in 2022
The Thomians who had an off day against the high-riding Trinitians and lose their unbeaten tag, would be determined to settle scores with the Bamba Brigade who are coming from a very close defeat against Royal. Not just the forwards, but it will certainly be an interesting clash to see the back three from either side polish their boots in what could be a high scoring encounter.
Determined Greens Travel To Kandy
Following their defeat to S. Thomas' at the end of Round 1, Isipathana found their mojo back in beating the unbeaten Wesley College in a very close affair that ended 21-17 and will face their Knockout rivals of this year, Trinity College who come into the game as the favourites playing in their own den.
The Green Machine as rightfully said, are not a team to be written off and their forwards will hold the key in this match, not wanting to make the same mistakes as the Thomians did last week. Despite winning the Knockouts this year by a whisker, this Trinity team are a well-geared bunch and will be very threatening all round and as of last week, the Line Outs, which is also Isipathana's strength.
The match winning try in this year's Knockouts final
This is the only Cup match where both teams won the last game, and with Isipathana who have improved their kicking game, might want to consider kicking for points against the home team and ensure they have enough points in the first half if they wish to spark a second half comeback and do a favour for every team as a loss for Trinity means the League will be wide open again, making this the game of the weekend.
Will The Double Blue Lighting Strike Gold?
Last week's narrow defeat to Isipathana will certainly hurt this spirited Wesley side, but they have high hopes of remaining in the race for the title as they go against Royal in their home grounds. Royal from a confidence point of view, will have the edge apart from the home ground advantage as they are coming off a win against St. Peter's to win the B.C. Anghie Trophy after 7 years.
Royal's playmaker Idris Farouk in last year's encounter
This encounter could go down to the wire, just like last week's encounters which they were a part of, and this certainly makes the game very interesting as a winner cannot be determined (do we have a possible draw on the cards?). The most interesting clash will be between the kickers, Abdul Haadi for the Double Blues and Idris Farouk for the Blue and Gold, so we will be certain of seeing many penalty kicks taken if either side's defence is not going to give way.
The Title Scenarios This Week
We cannot determine winners yet, but here's how all 6 teams can still win the title!
Trinity College (12 points) - The way Trinity defeated S.Thomas' on their home turf in their only away game of the second round, shows they are THE team to beat. As the only unbeaten team in the league, losing one of the next three matches more open doors to the rest but if they keep their unbeaten tag throughout, they will no doubt see a title for the first time since 1987.
Wesley College (6 points) - Despite losing their unbeaten tag to Isipathana last week, they can still win the title with bonus point wins in the next three games. If tied on points (maximum 24), they may narrowly miss the title on the difference in points to Trinity and should not let Trinity get any bonus points in their match next week.
Royal College (6 points) - Unlike Wesley, Royal cannot win the title by just winning alone.by just winning the next three games with bonus points, as they need Trinity to lose at least one match as they have already lost to them in the first round. Hence, Isipathana's win over Trinity this week could open doors to Royal's title ambitions.
S.Thomas' College (6 points) - The Thomians who faced a rather demoralising defeat on home turf to Trinity, will need to keep their heads high for title aspirations but just like their rivals Royal, bonus point wins in the next three games alone will not help as they depend on Trinity to lose one game.
Isipathana College (5 points) - Despite losing a game like the previously mentioned three teams, Isipathana are the only team yet to secure a bonus point. Even if they beat Trinity, they heavily depend on Trinity not getting bonus points from here, meaning they are heavily dependent in what manner they win their next games as they average nearly 7 tries per game.
St. Peter's College (2 points) - Statistically, the defending champions are not out of the title race yet but as the only team with two defeats, they have the least probability even after winning the next three with bonus points. They are dependent on every other team losing at least once, and Trinity twice so that all teams have lost at least twice.