Pathana v Thora

I haven’t been this excited about a school game for a long time. It’s not because S. Thomas’ is positioned to win a league title after a long time, although that is very nice. But it is because two excellent technical teams, full of quality and aggression, are meeting each other in a winner takes all contest. Both teams will come to play rugby, and that excites me.

Isipatana and S. Thomas’ have met once before this season, in the final of the sevens tournament. STC ran out winners, but not before conceding an early lead to Isipatana. That comeback victory will give them some confidence against Isipatana who have proved a step too far for S. Thomas’ in recent years. The last meaningful victory over the Green Shirts was in the President’s Trophy final of 2009. Isipatana’s consistency over the recent years has been outstanding. They have produced team after team of quality, with some excellent players coming through the ranks. STC  have struggled for similar consistency and this is their best side since 2009, and although not boasting stars like Kapuwatte, Wilwara and Muthuthanthri, perhaps the most complete team since Gavin Jayasekera’s League winning team of 2000.

This time too S. Thomas’ are led by a burly front row forward. Pandula De Silva has improved with every game and coach Laga has been careful to make sure his team peaks at the right time. The drop in intensity against SACK was clearly a result of taking the gas off training sessions in the Vesak break. But the buildup against Peter’s and the clinical defensive display to hold Science scoreless has shown the team heading in the right direction for this almighty clash.

Isipatana on the other hand have been totally dominant all season with slight blips against Science and Royal. They have chosen how they want to play, and not even the weather or spoiling tactics have dissuaded their willingness to run the ball with deadly accuracy. It is an admirable mindset and they deserve the sort of accolades they have got this season. Led by Kushan Indunial, the strong, skillful centre and quite possibly Sri Lanka’s next long term no. 12, they have played the game in the right spirit ripping apart all defences before them.

How will STC win it?

It’s pretty simple really. Don’t give Patana any ball. No doubt the Thomian team will take a cue from Royal last week and realise how difficult it was for Isipatana to deal with the constant barrage of heavy forwards. If they can retain the ball in the collision and unleash the likes of Pandula de Silva, Sachitha Jayatilleka to soften the fringe defence with Shaniv Ahangama and Wayne Mack running off them, then the defence will begin to crack. However, what STC need more than anything else in this game, is patience. Shenal De Silva and Bumindra Dissanayake will be key to this as the half back combination, to realise just when to release the scorching Naveen Henakankanamge on the right wing.

If S. Thomas’ get carried away and try to play the fast open game from kick off, they will be in trouble. What is needed is smart rugby, with some flair to ice the possession cake.

In Mack, Senanayake and De Lille, STC have three genuine line out options. They will have to be mindful of the excellent defensive work done by Patana’s Gayanath and Weeratunga who are explosive off the ground. Many times they jumped in front of the Royal jumper and stole the ball. However, with the extra option available, and the right call made, the Thora line out may just be a little too strong, and will learn from Royal’s difficulties last week.

By constantly shifting the point of attack wide of the break down, STC have made life very difficult for opposing defences. They will have to do so again, but also make sure that they have a massive pod of forwards running into the 12/13 channel, thereby tying up Isipatana’s dangerous centres and taking them to ground. Any wide attack should be made once this first goal has been realised.

The scrum and midfield defences are the other areas that STC will need to dominate. Their heavy scrum must be disciplined and not give away any penalties or free kicks. In midfield Herath and either Nanayakkara or Ferdinando will need to put in a real shift in defence. It will be the toughest assignment for them yet.

Henakankanamge and Jayawardena will be screaming for it wide outside and hopefully we will get to see some footraces.

How will Isipatana win it?

The great thing about Isipatana is that they will play their game no matter what. This is partly due to their heritage of playing fast open rugby and partly due to the fact that they have traditionally not had a pack of big forwards to compete upfront. This time however, their diminutive front row are all excellent defenders, and Gayanath and Wiswajith are a big second row unit.

However, in order to win this game, Weeratunga, Guneratne and Weerasinghe who are agile and incredibly committed, will need to totally outplay Ahangama, De Lille and Jayathilaka in the third row. Stopping the Thomian attack behind the gain line and ensuring a steady supply of turnover ball is the answer against the bustling Thomian pick and go. STC have tended to sometimes allow their ball carriers to get isolated, and this is wear the hyena like Patana third row can pounce. Devin Guneratne was excellent in defence last week and Vagisha Weerasinghe has a massive engine and has roamed the park this year creating, supporting and finishing. He will need to lead the flankers to a Pocock and Hooper like performance.

Once again, contesting the lineouts will prove effective. Maybe not as effective as last week, but it will certainly pressure the Thomian ball. After that it’s a matter of trusting their execution. What is admirable about this Patana side is that they go back and fix things that need fixing. After speaking of the fact that they had converted only about 50% of their tries, the week before, this weekend Wickramaratne converted all 4, one from each touchline for good measure. Similarly, they will work on their scrum before the Thomian game and quite possibly think about testing STC under the high ball.

In Chamod Fernando they have one of the most elusive wingers in a long time. Up against Henakankanamge, this is a mouthwatering tussle to watch. Coach Nilfer Ibrahim may just fancy his chances on the chase so Isipatana may come at STC with a the long up and under for both Fernando and Padmasanka to chase. The Green shirts have pace to burn out wide and they will be doing all they can to get outside of Ashwantha Herath. If they do, then the express pace may be too much for S. Thomas’. Isipatana will have to keep the defence guessing with little chips or grubbers for their playmakers to run onto. If they get good enough ball to do that, then STC’s second line of defence is going to be severely tested.

What will happen?

I honestly don’t know.

All I hope is that the refereeing, or crowd trouble is NOT what we have to talk about on Sunday. Isipatana have been in this position last year and have done the work in the off season to fix those woes. Terrence Henry has been given a job description and the big man has turned the Patana forwards into an intense, battling unit.

After 15 years, S. Thomas’ would love a title. This particular team has played like a champion outfit, and will be desperate to finish the job.Regardless, of the final score, the match will be tense.

He who protects the ball will win.

From a spectator point of view, we will see two teams who want to play entertaining rugby. All things point to that. Both coaches are smart, savvy, and respect the ability of their charges. The Thomians have the most complete team in the competition. However, Isipatana have the best midfield combination since Jayasundara and Kaluaratchi of Royal’s 2001 side. Can Indunil and Rankothge work the magic, or will Pandula De Silva’s well drilled machine have too much power.

Enjoy the game. That’s an order.