Singer Schools Under 20 League Tournament.
Indika Walagedara reporting in the Sunday Observer.
A magnificent second half rally by the Peterites enabled them to a sensational win against the back peddling Trinity side by 30 points (2 Goals, 2 Tries, 2 Penalties) to 25 points (2Goals, 1Try, 2 Penalties) in their Inter School Division 1 Under 20 Rugby match played at St.Peters College Grounds Bambalapitiya yesterday.
At halftime Trinity were leading 20 points to 10 The match got off to a exhilarating start with both teams looking to open scoring and Trinity succeeded to do so when in the 2nd minute of play, their prop forward, Direndra Ratwatte went over for a try off a rolling maul. Fullback Sanishka Abeywickrema made the conversion for Trinity to take the lead 7 Nil.
In the 9th minute of play Trinity were awarded a penalty for an infringement by a Peter's player and Trinity flyhalf, Thisila Perera put over a 45meter penalty to increase the lead for the Kandy school by 10 points to nil.
Within a couple of minutes Trinity were awarded another penalty when Thisila Perera put over a 30- meter kick to increase the lead for Trinity 13 points to nil.
In the 30th minute of play, Trinity received a line out and the ball went loose from a Peterite forward where Trinity scrum half, Anouk Boyagoda booted the ball and scored a good try after covering nearly 30 meters. Sanushka Abeywickrema made the conversion to read the score as Trinity 20 points to St.Peters Nil.
By this time most of the spectators and even a few Peterite supporters were seen leaving the grounds anticipating a Trinity win. . But St.Peters had other strategies and brought in their captain, Kevin Dixon and from that point the match took a dramatic turn with the Peterites hitting back with a vengeance.
St.Peters scored in the 35th minute, when their captain and fullback, Kevin " kutty" Dixon scored a brilliant try by carving through the five Trinity defenders to score. The conversion was missed by flyhalf, Sandesh Jayawickrema . The score read -Trinity 20 to Peters 5.
Immediately in the 39th minute of play, Peterite second row ,Rahal Delpachithra scored a try for the Peterites off a fantastic rolling maul. Sandesh Jayawickrema missed the conversion. The score read- Trinity 20 points to St.Peters 10.
At half time This score read Trinity College 20 points to St.Peters 10..
St.Peters college came in to the second half with different attitude and immediately they received a penalty and their fly half Sandesh Jayawickrema put over a penalty to take the score to Trinity 20 to peters 13.
By this time Peters were playing with only 13 players due to referee sending their fly half sandesh Jayawickrema and their vice captain cum centre Nishon Perera to sin bin for a fight.
Trinity having a two man advantage scored a push over try in the 15th minute of play. And the conversion was missed by full back Shanishka Abeywickrama and the score Trinity 25 to Peters 13.
Playing with only 13 players, the gallant Peterites scored a sensational try when they worked their line beautifully for winger, Diyath Ferrnando to touch down by running through the entire Trinity defence covering almost 60 meters. Flyhalf Sandesh converted it to close the gap to 25 points to 20 in favour of Trinity College.
Within five minutes, St Peters sealed the game with a try and a penalty, where the try was scored by Avishka Heenpalla and the conversion along with the penalty was put over by flyhalf Sandesh Abeywickrema . The final score remained- St.Peters 30 points to Trinity's 25.
Referee Irshad Kader
Following is the Sunday Times report on the match.
Peterites turn tables to down Trinity
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St. Peter’s from a hopeless position of 10-20 at the breather turned tables to recorda 30 points to 25 win over Trinity in a second round match of the Singer U20 Rugby league encounter played at Bambalapitiya yesterday.
The Peterites spearheaded by skipper Kevin Dixon who played the position of center chalked up 20 points to five scored by Trinity in the second half which paved the way for their victory.
The Peterites accumulated their points through two goals, two tries and two penalties to the two goals a try and two penalties scored by Trinity. Last year Trinity was the winner by 29-22.
Even though the Trinitians dominated the first session of play they were nowhere near that form in the second session as the Peterites gave them an unexpected beating and had them running circles.
Trinity after their first defeat of the first Bradby Shield encounter has fallen back and seemed yet to be under shock. However they had this game in their hand but failed to keep up the momentum and succumbed to an unexpected defeat.
The three tries for Trinity was scored by D. Ratwatte, Rajith Samarasekera, Anuka Boyagoda with Thusila Perera making one conversion while Sanushka Abeywickrama made the other conversion and also booted over the penalties.
For St. Peter’s skipper and center Kevin Dixon went over for two tries while second center Diyath Fernando and scrum half Avishka Heenpalle scored a try each with Sandesh Jayawickrama making the conversions and the penalties. Referee – Irshad Cader – MSA
