Confident Joes out to regain Fr. Wiratunga Shield
St. Joseph’s College will look to regain the Rev. Fr. Basil Wiratunga Memorial Shield when they take on the traditional rivals St. Peter’s College in the 62nd annual Battle of the Saints rugby encounter at Havelock Park today.
The Josephians have all the reasons to feel confident going into this game having completed the 2022 season on a high, having emerged runners-up in the Inter-Schools Under-20 ‘A’ Division League Tournament and in the President’s Trophy Knock-Out Tournament.
In contrast, St. Peter’s have gone through a most gruelling season this year, as they were eliminated from the Super Round stage of the ‘A’ Division League Tournament after they managed to record just a solitary win from five outings in Group-2.
The Peterites suffered more humiliation last week when they were thrown out of the President’s Trophy Knock-Out Tournament and were demoted to the lower division from next year by the Sri Lanka Schools Rugby Football Association after they were found guilty of fielding an ineligible player during the league.
Now they have a daunting task to redeem their lost pride as they look to regroup and at least conclude the current season on a winning note following a series of off-field controversies.
The two teams last met in 2019 and on that occasion St. Peter’s were able to record a thrilling 23-21 win and regained the Shield after a lapse of four years.
However, this time St. Joseph’s seemed to have a better chance of pulling off the game with some experienced players in their ranks and will be determined to bring the Shield back to Darley Road.