D. S. Senanayake College will look to extend their dominance over traditional rivals Mahanama College when the two teams clash in the 15th annual Inter-Schools Battle of the Golds rugby encounter on Friday at Havelock Park.
The kick-off is at 4.00 p.m. after the Under-10, Under-12, Under-14, Under-16 and the Old Boys match between the two schools at the same venue. D. S. Senanayake have emerged victorious over the years and last year too they produced one of the best performances of the series when they triumphed 50-0 at the Royal Sports Complex in Colombo.
However, Mahanama have shown some good performances this season while competing in the Division One Segment ‘B’ Tournament where they defeated St. Benedict’s College (22-13), St. Sylvester’s College (20-10) and Sri Sumangala College (19-7) respectively.
Mahanama will be led by speedy wing three quarter Jineth Bethmika and they will have a few more senior players, who could cause a major challenge to their more fancied opponents.
In fact, Mahanama had the satisfaction of winning the Big Match during the first three years but thereafter, D. S. Senanayake have turned things around and taken major honours in the recent past.
Mahanama’s last win in the series was recorded way back in 2009 when they pulled off the Big Match under the captaincy of Lahiru Sachintha. However, this season has been quite a significant and a landmark year for D. S. Senanayake rugby as they have emerged as a major force having made it to the ‘A’ Division League after a long layoff.
They narrowly missed out the chance of qualifying for the Super Round segment of the ‘A’ Division League Tournament having brought down a couple of top teams while competing in Group 1A.
D. S. Senanayake had the satisfaction of overcoming St. Anthony’s College (23-19), Wesley College (29-20), Kingswood College (31-27) and S. Thomas’ (13-10) before going down against St. Joseph’s College (16-29) in the deciding encounter.
This game will also provide D. S. Senanayake with the opportunity of warming-up ahead of the important President’s Trophy Knock-Out Tournament.
The teams
D. S. Senanayake (From): Jayathu Rajarathna (Captain), Sithum Jayawardana, Harindu Subath, Navinda Hettiarachchi, Chenitha Weligamage, Pathum Peiris, Omika Lison, Praveen Lakmal, Laknesh Wickramasinghe, Yasasvi Rathnasiri, Mohamed Aadhil, Dithra Edirisooriya, Shamal Maleesha, Demika Mindinu, Kaveesha Jananjaya, Sanu Perera, Chamudu Weerasinghe, Sahas Balasooriya, Chamod Dewmith, Osman Wafa, Thiven Perera, Malith Samarakoon, Praveen
Dilakshan, Manura Peiris, Sandeep Lakshan, Bimsara Karunarathna, Shenhanda Umagiliyage,
Mahanama (From): Jineth Bethmika (Captain), Nadun Nimesh, Rashmika Basuru, Sandamal Ariyarathne, Imalka Jayoda, Krishan Dawundage, Senila Ransara, Nikhila Dulaj, Chanuth Nemitha, Lalanka Abhiru, Sithumina Dulanjana, Isuru Hasanga, Arunod Udara, Isuru Peiris, Chathil Silva, Nesandu Geelaka, Tharusha Dilshan, Nethika de Silva, Navith Kannangara, Subanga Perera, Odithya Tharujaya, Rumeth Devvin, Chathuranga Dilshan, Adeesha Dabare.
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