Dashing centre three quarter Rinesh Silva is set for a huge personal milestone following some outstanding contributions for Isipathana College in the 2023 Inter-Schools Under-19 Division One League Rugby Tournament.
The speedy back division player has led the way with some brilliant individual performances for the defending champions this season to emerge as the top points scorer after the completion of the first-round fixtures.
Rinesh is also the second best try scorer in the league so far, and with two more Super Round games in hand, he is well poised to complete a grand double and conclude another successful season for the Green Machine. He is well ahead in the tally of total points having contributed a
staggering 67 points for his team from six matches while Yehan Bulathsinghalage of S. Thomas’ College is far behind trailing with 55 points closely followed by St. Anthony’s Skipper Sahan Keerthisiri (52 points).
Bulathsinghalage, of course, will not compete anymore as the Thomians are out of the Super Round segment but Keerthisiri will have the opportunity to challenge his nearest rival and reduce the deficit in the final tally. Even then, this has been another splendid season for Rinesh, who has turned out to be the playmaker for Isipathana and has been in the thick of every move, scoring tries and converting them in addition to putting over all penalties.
One of his best performances came in the high-profile game against S. Thomas’ where he rose to the big occasion with a match-winning contribution as Isipathana cruised to a smashing 29-20 victory at Mount Lavinia. Rinesh made his presence felt early in the game and powered his way to score the second try of the match and followed up with three conversions – all from difficult angles – in addition to a penalty shortly before half time.
The game against St. Anthony’s was also a memorable outing for Rinesh as he dazzled with two magnificent tries, made three conversions, and fired across two penalties during their 37-26 triumph at Longden Place. Rinesh was the star player once again as he ran down two tries and made two conversions to help Isipathana beat Wesley 24-11 in their last first-round fixture of the tournament.
Meanwhile, dynamic fly half Sahan Keerthisiri has been the most outstanding player for the Antonians with his consistent performances as a playmaker, try scorer and place-kicker throughout the season.
The Antonian Captain has always led the way and played a big hand in their must-win game against S. Thomas’ at the Pallekele Stadium in Kandy with the decisive fourth try of the match, that sealed a memorable 34-17 win and a spot in the Super Round segment.
Keerthisiri was in the act once again and turned out to be the match-winner as he fired across three crucial penalties and made three conversions as the Antonians edged out Wesley 30-29 in a thriller at the Royal Sports Complex in Colombo.
Meanwhile, St. Anthony’s winger Roshane Kumara is the current top try scorer having crossed the whitewash on six occasions while Rinesh is in second place with five tries to his credit so far.
Chris Dhambarage