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| Sunday, 3 November 2002 |
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Isipathana takes u.19 title beating St. Peter's 16/11 : CR revel in rain - win Premier Champions Trophy with 26/18 win over Police by LAL GUNESEKERA CR and FC and Isipathana won the club and schools under-19 titles respectively at the Premier Champions Trophy Rugby Championship at the Sugathadasa Stadium yesterday. This was organised by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports in association with the Sri Lanka Rugby Football Union (SLRFU) and the Sri Lanka Schools Rugby Football Association (SLSRFA). The club final was played in heavy rain and CR had the satisfaction of defeating Police, who were the favourites after they beat Army in the semi-finals, by 26 points (1 goal, 2 tries, 3 penalties) to 18 (1 goal, 1 try, 2 penalties) after the scores were level (13-each) at half time. Right from the start it was rain and more rain at that. One expected Police, with their heavy set of forwards, to dominate proceedings, but to the credit of the 'Red Shirts', their pack fared very well and even the 'outsides' did some good running. However, it was sad to see both CR and Police players not been able to grip onto the ground, as if most of the players had not worn their steel studded boots for these conditions. Police swept into a 10-0 lead with in the first 10 minutes itself through a try by flanker Herath after a CR defender had fumbled with a kick ahead by Police Champika Thushara. Wijeweera made no mistake with the conversion and also a simple 10-metre penalty. CR stormed back through two penalties by Zulfiqar Halimdeen to reduce the lead (CR 6-10). Police edged further ahead through a 22-metre penalty by Wijeweera, but the scores were equalled when Halimdeen the CR right winger touched down under the posts after Police fullback Danushka Pubudu had fumbled with the ball inside the "22". After the "turn around", Halimdeen, put CR ahead for the first time in the game with a 25 metre penalty (CR 16-13). This was in the second minute, and four minutes later, CR's scrum-half Champika Nishantha squeezed through on the right flank off a ruck. Halimdeen missed the conversion (CR 21-13). Then in the final few moments, Police left winger Hassan scored with Wijeweera, missing the conversion (Police 18-26). Aruna Jayasekera refereed. Isipathana proved a point in the schools under-19 final. They withdrew from the League and the Peterites were the champions, but yesterday, the Pathans beat St. Peter's by 16 points (2 tries, 2 penalties) to 11 (1 try, 2 penalties) after leading 10-6 at the breather. Dinuka Jayasinghe put the Peterites ahead 6-0 with two penalties early in the first half, but Isipathana reduced the lead through an unconverted try by right winger Dinesh Kumara. He scored again soon after half time and again Senthil Kumara failed with the conversion, but Isipathana had got the lead 10-6. However, Senthil Kumara made no mistake with a penalty Isipathana (13-6), but the Peterites reduced the lead through a try by centre Dilanka Wijesekera, which went unconverted (St. Peter's) 11-13). Then came another penalty by Senthil Kumara to see Isipathana through 16-11. D. Nimal refereed. Rahula won the schools under-13 title defeating Dharmaraja by 5 points (1 try) to nil. There was no scoring in the first session. Wesley won the schools under-15 title beating Royal by 12 points (1 goal, 1 try) to nil after leading 7-0 at the breather. Ananda won the schools under-17 title overcoming Isipathana by 12 points (1 goal, 1 try) to 11 (1 try, 2 penalties) after leading 5-3 at "lemons". The women's title went to Sabaragamuwa Province RFU who beat Army by 7 points (1 goal) to 5 (1 try) after leading 7-0 at half time. The Speaker, Joseph Michael Perera, was the chief guest and gave away the awards with the Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Johnston Fernando. |
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