Trinity storm into final with superb 32/14 win

By Ranjan ANANDAPPA

Trinity College scored a fascinating 32 points (2 goals, 3 tries and a drop goal) to 14 points (2 goals) win over St. Peter's College in the second semi-final of the Milo Under-20 Knock-out rugger encounter after trailing 12-14 at the breather, at the Royal College Sports Complex yesterday.

They will confront Isipathana College in the grand final on September 30 at the Royal Sports Complex. Trinity's forwards spearheaded by skipper Murad Ramzeen outplayed their counterparts in the loose, while the three-quarters ran the ball at every opportunity testing the Peterite defence to the hilt. They also nailed the famed Peterite three-quarters with bone crunching tackles which resulted in the Peterite threes spilling their passes at crucial moments squandering the valuable possession won from the line outs and set scrums.

The Peterites were off to a flying start when they scored almost with the kick-off when skipper Bhanuka Nanayakkara followed a kick ahead and collected the ball to touch down under the post to give fly half Dulaj Perera an easy kick at goal and the Peterites led 7-0.

The Trinitians who took time to settle down reduced the deficit when centre Kanil Seneviratne scampered through to touch down by the corner flag, Rehan Weerakoon failed to add the extra points. Mid way in the first half the lads from Kandy snatched the lead off a forwards rush, lock forward Randika Alwis powered his way to touch down under the post, Weerakoon made no mistake with the conversion and Trinity led 12-7. On the stroke of half time Peterite winger Sandun Herath made a thundering 40 metre run to fall over for a glorious try by the left corner flag. Dulaj Perera made a spectacular conversion to give the Peterites a 14-12 lead at the breather.

In the second minute after resumption the Trinitians grabbed the lead once again when fly half Rehan Weerakoon dropped a goal from twenty meters out (Trinity 15-14).

There after it was Trinity all the way as they scored two tries in succession through centre Kanil Seneviratne and winger Mohammed Seshan both of which were not converted and Trinity led 25-14.

In the dying stages of the game fly half Rehan Weerakoon put the icing on the cake when he ran past several defenders for over thirty metres to fall over for a superb try and added the extra points himself to give the 'Lions' a resounding 32-14 win.

Irshard Cader refereed.