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Trinity full back Kovida Wickremasinghe had a grand game on attack with Aattab Manzil coming in for support
By Shamseer Jaleel
Trinity College pulled off a hard-fought 20/13 win in their Dialog Inter-School Under-20 rugby encounter which concluded at the Pallekelle Rugby Stadium last weekend.
With this win Trinity regained the Canon de Saram trophy from Thomians which they lost out three months back. In this series which started in 1978 Trinitians lead the tally with 26 wins to Thomians 17 with one tied game in 1992.
Trinity led 17/6 at the short breather.
The game was played at a hectic pace with both teams working their three-quarter line at every given opportunity. The Thomians did have lot of possession in the initial 15 minutes of the game but they failed to convert same in to points as Trinity defence stood firm. Line out of both teams looked a pathetic site as the throw in was far below expected standards. Trinity in particular looked threatening whenever they used their three-quarter line.
For Trinity their fly half Aattab Manzil and full back Kovida Wickremasinghe and scrum half Shaveen Premaratne were omnipresent and had a grand game. Aattab touch kicks and gaining territory was in high standards. Meanwhile for Thomians their skipper Chariya Kurukulasuriya, Prop Mohamed Ali and fly half Yehan Bulathsinghalage were outstanding.
Thomians drew first blood through Yehan Bulathsinghalage’s penalty but minutes later, Trinity worked their three-quarter line and scored through their skipper Lithmal Moragoda. Kovida Wickremasinghe added the extras. Kovida was on target with another 30 m penalty to increase the lead 10/3.
Another magnificent 40 m dash by the full back Kovida scored Trinitians’ second try. He added the extra 2 points. Minutes before the short breather Yehan Bulathsinghalage was on target with his second penalty to cut the deficit to 11 points to take the short breather at 17/6 favouring the home teams.
After the turn around, the game slowed down a bit and in the last quarter again picked up momentum. Thomian skipper Chariya Kurukulasuriya who had a grand outing scored through a forward’s rush. Bulathsinghalage was on target with the kick at goal. Kovida who contributed 15 points for the home team put the icing on the cake when he was on target with a 30 m penalty.
Referee was Dilum Dheeshana.
Trinity won the Under-16 game 15/0 while losing out the Under-18 encounter 20/5. Under-16 outfit is coached by Priyantha Gunaratne while the Under-18 is looked after by Thusitha de Silva and Kavinda Jayasena.
Trinity 1986 vice-captain, rugby “Lion” and former CH and FC and Kandy SC player who studied at both the institutions Bimal Fernando was the Chief Guest at this event.
Peterites outclass Rajans
St. Peter’s College outplayed Dharmaraja College 27 points (5 tries, 1 conversion) to 12 (2 tries, 1 conversion) at Bambalapitiya last weekend.
At the short breather scored were level at 12 a-piece.
Peterites played a well-co-ordinated game after settling well in the later half. Dineth Ranasinghe scored the first try which was converted Vindya de Mel. Their scrum half Rajitha Ekanayake scored the Bambalapitiya School’s second try.
Rajans in their scoring act was through their scrum half Thanthirige which was converted by fly half Wijesiri, and later Bandara touched down for the Kandy school to level the scores at the short breather.
After the turn around, Vishenka de Silve, Umeth Ishara and Hashan Madugaspe touched down a try each with Vindya converting one of them.
Referee was Aaqil Jamaldeen.
Wesley stamp their class
Wesley made a bold start for the Dialog Schools rugby tournament opener in a 6-try blitz at Longden Place last weekend.
Wesley scored their tries through Hafiz Thabith (2), Rigesh Muralidaran, Isuru Perera, Sheal Samuel and Nithil Rodrigo. Shaveen Jayawardena was accurate with 4 of the try conversions.
Referee was Hasantha Weranga.
