Trinity register stunning 21 - 20 win

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

Trinity College recouped their last week's loss against St. Peter's College with a stunning 21 points (3 tries, 2 penalties) to 20 (1 goal, 2 tries, 1 penalty) win over the hitherto unbeaten Kingswood College in their schools under 19 Division one segment.

A rugby tournament match played before a large crowd at the Bogambara Stadium, Kandy yesterday. At the breather Trinitians led 10 - 0.

A heavy shower before the match looked like that the chances of starting the match on time may not be possible but the game commenced in time.

Trinity started off well enjoying a lot of possession and also their forwards showed a lot of thrust. Kingswood on the other hand did not play well in the loose and also their handling of the ball was not up to the mark.

With Trinity putting more power into their play and it was not surprising that they scored first.

In the 8th minute of the first half Trinity won a line out and an infringement by a Kingswood defender resulted in a penalty being awarded to Trinity. Trinity winning the ball, hooker Damith Dissanayake switched a pass to lock forward Gotabhaya Mahesh who touched down mid right. Duminda Nayakaratne failed to add the extra points. Trinity 5-0.

In the period of play which followed Trinity attacked relentlessly and Kingswood defended grimly to prevent their opponents from scoring.

In the 36th minute of the first half in a move which originated mid field, winger Mohamed Seshan made a 35 metre dash and sent a quick pass to winger Akila Dissanayake who in turn sent hooker Murad Zamzeen to score under the post. Centre Kanchana Ramanayake failed to add the extra points.

Kingswood appeared to change their strategy in the second half and were seen more on the offensive.

In the 3rd minute after the turn around a Trinity college forward was blown off side and Kingswood's skipper and full back put over a simple 25 metre penalty. Kingswood 3 - 10.

But shortly afterward Trinity ensured they retain their 10 point lead when they were awarded a penalty and centre Kanchana Ramanayake converted a 35 metre penalty. Trinity 13-3.

A few minutes later Trinity forged further ahead through a penalty fired by centre Kanchana Ramanayake. Trinity 16-3.

Kingswood College came back storming into the game through their forwards and they were rewarded when flanker Chethiya Wadugodapitiya blitz his way to score far right. Full back Rajith Sansoni failed to add the extra points. Kingswood 8-16.

Now it was imminent that Kingswood would not go down without a fight. They kept attacking. But Trinity countered and winger Mohamed Seshan receiving a pass from Akila Dissanayake made a good run to score far right and this try went unconverted. Trinity 21-8.

Then came the great fight by the Kingswoodian and they almost won the match. In the 38th minute substitute winger Indunil Wickremasinghe scored near the post for Kingswood and Rajith Sansoni added the extra points. Kingswood 15-21.

In the final minute of play skipper Rajith Sansoni joined the line to form the overlap to score far right. But failed to add the extra points and this gave the lions a single point victory.

Pradeep Fernando refereed.