Peterites retain President’s Trophy

Edge out Isipatana by 16-11 in the final:

By Chris Dhambarage

RUGBY: St. Peter’s College retained the Milo Schools President’s Trophy for the third successive year when they defeated Isipatana College by 16 points to 11 points in their knock out tournament final worked off at the Royal College Sports Complex grounds in Reid Avenue yesterday.

The Peterites who finished third in the A division league tournament produced a splendid performance to turn the game in their favour while collecting their points from two unconverted tries and two penalties after having led 13-8 at half time.

Isipatana playing in the knock out tournament final for the 16th time got off to a good start but failed to consolidate their position and managed to score just a solitary try and also put over two penalties.

The manner in which St. Peter’s College completed their task was quite outstanding because they had conceded a try after just five minutes of play. In addition they suffered a severe blow when they lost the services of their key player and play maker Ishan Noor with an injury.

The dynamic number eight however made a superb comeback mid way in the first half and played a dominant role while leading his team towards a fantastic victory at the end. In fact the Peterite forwards had a good game and their second row forwards Soyuru Anthony and Shenal Dias were able to grab possession at some vital stages of the game.

The three quarters also played an equally good game with fly half Harsha Weerakkody, Dilshan Paul, Gerard Canute and full back Amila Fernando all performing their role quite effectively.

The Peterites executed their game plan quite successfully with skipper Purnaka Delpachithra always leading from the front. Incidentally the dynamic third row forward scored both their tries in the first half in identical fashion within the space of two minutes to seal the game in their favour.

Isipatana of course had taken the initiative following a push over try from their number eight Tharindu Siriwardena. St. Peter’s College hit back immediately with a vengeance with Delpachithra proving his class through two classic tries both initiated by their forwards.

Weerakkody missed both conversions but later put over a good penalty to increase their lead to 13-5. Isipatana reduced the gap to 8-3 following another neat penalty from Srinath Suriyabandara shortly before half time.

Weerakkody put over his second penalty mid way in the second half to give St. Peter’s College a commanding 16-8 lead at that stage. Isipatana who were starved of possession managed to put over a penalty through Srinath Suriyabandara.

Referee: Priyantha Gunaratne.

St. John’s take Premier Trophy

Meanwhile St. John’s College Nugegoda clinched the Premier Trophy defeating Piliyandala Central College by 10 points to 7 points in the final after they were trailing 5-7 at half time.

Royal, Panadura win Chairman’s Trophy

Royal College Panadura took the Chairman’s Trophy by overcoming Maliyadeva College Kurunegala by 17 points to 5 points in the final after having led 12-5 at half time.