St. Peter’s coasted to their third successive win of the Singer U20 Schools Rugby League Tournament when they outclassed defending champions Dharmaraja by 41 points to 15 in a fourth round Division A Segment I match played at the Air Force ground in Ratmalana yesterday.
St. Peter’s having taken a comfortable 26-8 lead at the breather accumulated their points through four goals, two tries and a penalty against a goal, a try and a penalty by Dharmaraja.
Referee – Gamini Indrasena.What was expected happened at this match played today (30th April) at the Air Force grounds Ratmalana. St. Peter's was expected to beat the reigning league champions, Rajans and they did that handsomely with a score of 41 – 15.
The first 15 – 20 minutes of play seemed to be the period when both sides were testing the winds. After missing a penalty against the Peterites for being off side around the 8th minute of play, the Rajan's were the first to put points on the board when a second penalty awarded to them was kicked right by their place kicker Viraj Weerasekera. Rajans led 3 – 0 much to the delight of their supporters.
This seemed to have been the tonic St. Peter's needed and they got their act together in the 25th minute when Kevin Dixon collected the ball off a mid field move and ran in from the right flank to score under the post. Shamri Burah added the extra points to give the Peterites the lead, 7 – 3. Within minutes Nishon Perera the flanker scored under the posts after collecting a ball that was booted ahead by Kevin Dixon and Burah made no mistake with the conversion to increase the lead to 14 – 3.
Almost immediately after the resumption, Deshan the wing three quarter scored mid right but Burah's kick was awry and the score read 19 – 3. Next to score was Ravith Mishael in the 35th minute off a good move and with the conversion successful and the score read 26 – 3.
Almost on the stroke of half time, the Peterites were penalised and the Rajans capitalising on the opportunity, managed to barge through for a try which went unconverted and the score at the breather was 26 – 8.
After the turnaround it took 20 minutes before the Peterites added more points to their tally when Ravith Mishael scored his 2nd try to bring the score to 31 – 8 (the conversion attempt having failed). Almost immediately on resumption Steve Dharmaratne shook off a few defenders to score which was converted to bring the score to 38 – 8.
A little while later a penalty in front of the post was converted by Burah to take the score past the 40 point mark, 41 – 8 to be exact.
In the dying stages of the game the referee awarded a penalty try to the Rajans after finding the Peterites committing persistent offenses close to their goal line. This try was goaled by the Rajans and the score board read 41 – 15 when the referee blew no side.
Earlier in the 2nd half, the Peterite captain was sent to the sin bin though the writer does not know the offense, but what is of significance is that this is the 3rd match in a row when he has had to suffer this ignominy and it is best remedied by the coaching staff.
Referee – Gamini Indraratne
Of the Junior games only the under 16 games was played which the Peterites won 7 – 0.
Pictures will be posted on the FB page.
Algi Wijewickrema of SPC-OBU
