Antonians down Pathana 17-10

by S.M. Jeffrey ABDEEN - Kandy Sports Corr.

RUGBY: St. Anthony's College, Kandy showed that their sting is in their tail when they scored their third successive win by scoring a sensational 17 points (1 goal, 2 tries) to 10 (2 tries) win over the more fancied Issipathana College in their Schools Under-20 `A' Division Rugby Tournament match played at Nittawela yesterday. At half Antonian lead 12-10.

The Antonian after losing their first six matches turned around their fortunes to register their third win two of them off two more fancied teams.

With this win the Antonian will climb to the sixth position in the table of points which completely erased off their dismal showing at the start of the season.

Issipathana opened scoring in the 10th minute when a kick ahead was followed by a scrum. The Pathans winning the scrum opened their account through a try scored by lock forward Sajjith Suhaib. This try went unconverted.

In the 11th minute, the Antonians went into the lead through a try by scrum half Tharindu Chanaka and fly half S. Kumara added the extra points.

In the 35th minute Issipathana went into the lead again when No.8 Tharindu Siriwardena powered his way over far right for an unconverted try.

In the 38th minute a three -quarter movement saw fullback Tharanga touch down far left, but Kumara failed to add the extra points. Antonians took over the lead 12-10 at the breather.

The second half was hotly contested with both teams pressing hard to score.

Mid way in the second half the Antonians moved the ball sweetly and Chanaka Kumara receiving a short pass scored far left. Tharanga Bandara failed to add the extra points.

Pradeep Fernando refereed.