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Isipathana all out to avenge defeat at the hands of Thurstan today
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kavith on 18 October, 2006 09:30:00
 
The much awaited annual rugby encounter between Isipathana College and Thurstan
College for the Abdul Jabbar Shield will be held at the CR & FC ground Longdon
Place today.
This is the 39th encounter between the two rival schools and Isipathana will go
all out to avenge their defeat of last year at the hands of Thurstan.
That was the first time Thurstan had won the Abdul Jabbar Shield and with the in
form Isipathana enjoying a fine season this year there is no guarantee that they
can keep it for another year.
Formidable
The formidable Isipathana College team is enjoying a very good season this year
as their team is performing at a very high level. Except that they tend to do
foolish things like kick away possession when they are leading, like they did
against Kingswood.
However with players in the likes of skipper De Costa, Reza Mubarak and Suranga
they are bound to give little room for Thurstan to take control.
Isipathana will also be determined to eclipse their highest score of 37 points
recorded in this traditional encounter.
On the other hand Thurstan is undergoing a miserable season this year and is
assured of relegation to the B division next year. However, they have come up
with a plucky display against their arch rival and an interesting evening of
rugby.
Outstanding
Isipathana has produced some outstanding Sri Lanka players such as former
skipper Jeff Rutnam, Dan Ratnam, H.K. Sisira to name a few.
The name that springs to mind in the Thurstan team in the past is Deepal de
Zoysa, who also turned up for the CR and later Kandy SC.
Whatever the outcome of the game, both sides are keen to play attractive rugby
to entertain the large crowd that is expected to throng the grounds to witness
the game today.
Chief Guest
Former rugby great Thajone Savanghan, a former Isipathana and Havelocks skipper
and who led the Colombo Clubs against the Bosuns will be the chief guest. He was
also a reputed Sri Lanka flanker and was oftenreferred to as the ‘boy with
the ten ton tackle,’ due to his bone jarring tackles. Mrs. Nooranie
Savanghan will give away the coveted shield to the winners.
The under 14 and 16 matches will precede the senior match from 3.30 p.m.
onwards.