Thomians run riot in Kandy beat Antonian 52-25.

By S. M. Jiffrey ABDEEN - Kandy sports corr.

S. Thoma's College, Mount Lavinia cut loose in the second half to score a ragistering 52 points (6 goals, 2 tries) to 25 (1 goal, 3 tries 1 penalty) win over St. Anthony's College to retain the Rev. Fr. Rosati Memorial shield in their schools under 20 rugby tournament match played at Nittawela yesterday. At half the Thomians led by a single point 19-18.

Before the commencement of the match both teams were introduced to the Chief Guest Murasheed Mahroof President, OBA St. Anthony's College.

Thomians struck gold in the 3rd minute of play when their three quarters moved the ball from right flank to left and centre Anuruddha Welwara scored by the left corner flag. Stand off Arjun Manoharan added the extra points. St. Thomas 7-0.

The Anthonian reduced the gap in the 7th minute when centre Amila Bandara made the break and sent a pass to full back.

Tharanga Bandara who scored by right corner flag, but failed to add the extra points. Anthonians 5-7.

But the Thomians hit back two minutes when stand off Arjun Manoharan followed a grabber and scored by right corner flag. This try went unconverted.

At this stage Thomian prop S. B. Ahangama was spotted pushing in the scorers by the touch judge who informed the referee who after two moues brought back play to original place and a warded a penalty to the Antonions prop Ahangama was sent to the `Sin Bin'.

The Anthonians opted to take a short tap and worked their three quarters and full back Tharanga Bandara joined the line to form the "overlap" to score by right corner flag. This try too went unconverted. St. Anthonys 10-12.

In the 30th minute the Thomians forwards made a terrific onslaught on the Antonians defence with flanker Janith Jayasuriya scoring by the posts. Manoharan Converted 19-10. A penalty converted by full back Tharanga Bandara saw Anthonians reduce the lead to 13-19.

Just before the lemons another strong run along the line by Antonian full back Tharanga ended up in a try by the right corner flag. This try too went unconverted. Antonians 18-19. But the second half saw the Thomians putting more aggression into their play, especially their forwards who harassed the Antonian defence to submission.

Early in this half centre Thishan Wickremasinghe with a scorching run scored under the posts and Manoharan added the extra points. Thomians 26-18.

In the 10th minute the Thomians scored through No 8 Rajindra Gunasekara and Manoharan added the extra points. Thomians 33-18.

Thomians ran riot at this stage against a feeble defence put up by the Anthonians as they scored three tries in quick successions through flanker Amrith Andrado, flanker Angelo de Silva and No 8 Rajindra Gunasekera and Arjun Manoharan added the extra points to two of them for the Thomians to top the half century mark leading 52-18.

It was during the injury time that the Anthonians scored through centre Amila Weligampola which was goalled by Tharanga Bandara breaking a 40 minute drought.

Aruna Rankothge refereed.