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| Sunday, 27 July 2003 |
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St. Peter's win Basil Wiratunga Trophy for 4th successive year by SRIAN OBEYESEKERE It was the 'Saints Touchdown' under lights and St. Peter's bathed in its immersing night illumination of a 21 (3 penalties, try, penalty try) to 11 (2 penalties, try) triumph over arch rivals St. Joseph's to retain the Fr. Basil Wiratunga Trophy for the fourth successive year at Longden Place yesterday. If it was 'big match' stuff the 5,000 strong spectators from the two schools which have taken to the rugby field from a long tradition of cricket rivalry, it was fittingly so as the less fancied Josephians went down honourably. After Mohammed Sheriff had 'fired' St. Peter's into a 6-0 lead from two penalties in quick succession, the Josephians rallied back to even keel through two penalties from fly half Priyantha Pradeep, one a beauty 35 metres out. But St. Peter's came back with a captain's effort of an unconverted try from Rumiez Ishak to wrest first half control 11-6. It was a first half which the Josephians lost hold when a valiant effort by skipper, Rukshan Gunawardena who punted with the ball into Peterite territory went without a result when he kicked ahead to a virtual empty field before him. It also brought out some bad stuff from the Peterites as Gunawardena ended up with a face injury from a foul tackle after kicking which saw Peterite Dananjaya Nonis sent to the 'sin bin'. But night rugby's best effects was manifested in the second half as the lights for the first time at school level saw some fascinating fare, first when St. Joseph's through an unconverted Priyan Franscisco try made it 11 - 14 after Sheriff had fired a penalty. Then came a penalty try by the Peterites which was converted by Sheriff. Referee - D. Nimal. Meanwhile, St. Pewter's won the under-17 big'un 7-0 and the under-15 match 12-7 while St. Joseph's had the consolation of winning the under-13 match 28-0. |
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