Petes tame Lions in their own den

by S.M. Jiffrey Abdeen - Kandy Sports Corr. at Pallekelle

RUGBY: St. Peter's College, Bambalapitiya, came up with a top class performance to beard the lions in their own den when they scored a comfortable 31 points (4 goals, 1 penalty), to 10 (2 tries) win over Trinity College in their schools under-19 'A' Division Rugby Tournament match played at Trinity College Rugby Stadium at Pallekele yesterday. At half St. Peter's led 10-5.

The first half was evenly contested with both teams clashing out good rugby. There were some threatening moves by both sides, but their defences held.

Trinity scored first in the 5th minute of when winger Mohamed Seshan made a forceful run and scored mid left, but fly half Himesh Yatawara failed to add the extra points.

Five minutes later the Peterites came back into the game displaying a lot of spirit. There was a three-quarter move deep inside the lions den and centre Dhanushka Rangana scored mid left. Fly half Dulaj Perera added the extra points. St. Peter's 7-5.

In the period of play which followed both sides missed a penalty each from kicking distance.

In the 34th minute Trinity was flown for an infringement in the scram and Dulaj Perera converted the penalty which was awarded for the Peterites to lead 10-5 at the breather.

But the second half proved to be a disaster for the Trinitians as they appeared to have lost their power and went down like a deflated balloon conceding as many as 21 points during the second half.

The Peterites made their intentions clear that they are going for the kill in this half when in the 2nd minute of play their lock forward Sohiru Anthony broke off to score under the posts and fly half Dulaj Perera added the extra points, St. Peter's 17-5.

Five minutes later centre Dhanushka Ranjan scored mid left and scrum half Rizvi Meedin galled the try for the Peterites to take control of the match leading 24-5.

Trinitons came back into the match briefly when their forwards displayed much aggression and winger Akila Dissanayake scored when the ball came out of rucks. Replacement fullback Kamil Senaviratne failed to add the extra points Trinity 10-24.

But Trinity could not stop this Peterite side increasing the tally by rubbing salt into the wounds of the lions. A three-quarter movement deep inside Trinity territory in the closing stages of the game saw centre Dhanushka Rangana going over the line and Rizwan Meedin added the extra points to give the Peterites a smashing victory.

Dilroy Fernando refereed.