Antonians inflict heavy 63-13 defeat on Thomians

by S.M. Jiffry ABDEEN - Kandy Sports Cor.

St. Anthony's College, Kandy playing open rugby outclassed S. Thomas College, Mount Lavinia by 63 points (4 goals, 7 tries) to 13 (1 penalty goal, 2 penalties) in their schools under-20 Singer Trophy Division one rugby tournament match played at the Nittawela Rugby Stadium, Kandy yesterday. At half time Antonians led 32-6.

This match was played for the Rev. Fr. Angelo Rosati Trophy which was awarded to the Antonians.

It was pleasing to note that Antonians forwards combined well with the backs which resulted in a glut of tries. Antonian skipper and No.8 Sanka Rajaguru was outstanding and had a had in a number of tries.

The Antonians got their act together very early in the game when they took play deep inside the Thomian territory and hooker Mohamed Ali went over by the left corner flag. This try went unconverted.

Thomians reduced the lead in the 10th minute when stand off Devin Jayasinghe put over a 30 metre penalty.

The Antonian increased their lead when No.8 and skipper Sanka Rajaguru powered his way to score under the post and full back Danushka Dayan added the extra points to lead 12-3.

In the 14th minute flanker K. Rajendran breached the Thomian defence to score under the post and full back Danushka Dayan failed to add the extra points. St. Anthony's 17-3.

Another 30 metre penalty converted by stand off Devin Jayasinghe resulted in the Thomians reducing the gap to 6-19.

In the 17th minute No.8 Sanka Rajaguru once again scored off a maul but Danushka Dayan's kick at goal hit the uprights and rebounded. St. Anthony's 22-6.

Three minutes later Antonian lock forward Nirodha Sooriyabandara collecting a pass from hooker Mohamed Ali scored mid left.

This try too went unconverted for the Antonians 27-6. Just before the short blast centre B. Weerasekera sent a quick pass to No.8 Rajaguru who scored by the post and this try too went unconverted.

But after the short blast the Antonian virtually went on the rampage scoring three early tries through Iranga Ariyapala and Sajid Lahir and Dinesh Tharanga who added the extra points to two of them to take the score to 51-6 by the 11th minute of the second half.

But in the 16th minute the Antonians paid dearly for obstruction when Thomian full back Eesaa Ibrahim was over the line and referee Gamini Indrasena had no hesitation in awarding a penalty try which was goaled by Thomian Devinda Jayasinghe.

After a lull in scoring the Antonians scored two more tries in the last 10 minutes of play through R. Rumesh and Sajid Lahir and Danushka Dayan goalled one of these tries. Gamini Indrasena refereed.