Thomians make winning start

By Chris Dhambarage

RUGBY: S. Thomas College made a winning start to the new inter school season when they defeated St. Anthony’s College Katugastota by 14 points to 10 points in their Singer inter school under 20 Group A division one league rugby tournament match worked off at Mount Lavinia yesterday. Their success had a great amount of significance because they regained the Rev. Fr. Rosatti Trophy after a lapse of three years.

The Thomians playing in front of their home crowd recovered from an early set back and turned the game in their favour while collecting their points from two goals having led 7-5 at half time.

The Antonians who showed early promise responded with two unconverted tries. In fact they drew first blood when they pieced the Thomian defence few minutes after the kick off. Their forwards showed a great amount of determination and were rewarded when number eight M. Riyal went through for a superb push over try..

However S. Thomas’ College bounced back into recognition with two brilliant tries that helped them to build up a crucial lead. They settled down beautifully after a somewhat shaky start and went on to dominate the proceedings thereafter.

The Thomians certainly enjoyed their home advantage but more importantly they made sure that they retained the possession in the line outs, set pieces and during the lose mauls. They had the advantage with a heavy set of forwards and the three quarters backed up well while forming the overlap on several occasions.

The match winning try for S. Thomas? College came during the second half through their dynamic number eight and captain Rohitha Rajapaksa after the entire pack had backed up well following a series of five metre scrums. Winger Heshan Gunaratne added the extra points for the second time in the match which turned out to be crucial at the end.

The Antonians scored their second try through centre three quarter Amila Weligampola but the conversion went astray.

Pradeep Fernando refereed.