Peterites end season in style

Beat Kingswood 8-3 to win President’s Trophy

By Ranjan Anandappa

St. Peter’s ended their school rugger season in style by winning the coveted double, the Singer league and the Milo knock out title defeating Kingswood by 8 points (A try and penalty) to 3 ( Penalty) win in the final at the Royal College Sports Complex grounds yesterday. The Peterites beat St. Anthony’s to clinch the league trophy in Kandy a few weeks back.

Kingswood after their last minute try win over Isipathana last week in the semi final were fancied to win, but the Peterites who defeated the Antonians in the other semi final gave a similar display with a pulsating second half rally as the Kingswoodians had fewer chances of advancing towards the Peterite territory.

It was fast and furious rugby by both sides. But Peterites dominated in the first half as their forwards inspired by their number eight and skipper Haren Ariyawardene matched the Kingswood forwards. Kingswood missed an opportunity to draw first blood when Dev Anand missed a penalty. But the Petes in the 33rd minute forged ahead with Harsha Weerakkody putting over a penalty.

The winners led 3-0 at the breather.

Kingswood dominated in the line outs and at times in the set pieces, but their fly half Dev Ananda who gave them the only points at times kicked aimlessly to deny the Kandy school of possession. Dev Anand missed a second penalty but made amends when he kicked over to equalised.

Thereafter both teams fought a compelling battle for supremacy with the Peterites playing well in attack and defence and the Kingswoodians trying desperately to find their fluency.

During the dying stages of the game misfortune struck for Kingswood. Gayan Rathnage’s kick ricocheted off a Peterite and Gerard Canute was quick to pick up the ball and score far left for an unconverted try to seal the game in favour of the Peterites.

Referee. Dilroy Fernando.

Nalanda beat Mahanama 22\11 to take the Premier Trophy.