Vidyartha win

S.M. Jiffrey ABDEEN - Kandy Sports Corr.

Vidyartha College put up a good performance to score a fine 32 points (3 goals, 1 try, 2 penalties) to 13 (2 tries, 1 penalty) win over St. Anthony's College, Kandy in their schools Singer Shield Under-19 A Division rugby tournament match played at Nittawela yesterday. At half the scores stood deadlocked at 8 all.

Vidyartha rattled the Anthonians defence first in the 8th minute through centre Kavindu Perera who touched down far left. This was not goaled.

They went further ahead in the 15th minute through a 35 metre penalty converted by scrum half Chamoth Fernando. Vidyartha 8-0.

But Vidyartha College relaxed a little thereafter and their opponents got on top of them.

In the 31st minute the Anthonians were awarded a penalty which was kicked to touch. The ensuring line out was won by them and hooker Yakoob Ali went over. This try was not goaled. St. Anthony's 5-3. Two minutes from the short break Antonians Winger Lakshan Rambukwella converted a penalty to level the scores.

But after the tournament it was all Vidyartha while Antonians could not maintain the same form of the first half. In the 3rd minute of second half flanker Arvinda Amalasiri scored off a ruck and this was goaled by scrum half Chamath Fernando. Vidyartha 15-8.

There was a lull in scoring for about 17 minutes before St. Anthony's College three quarters were blown off side and scrum half Chamath Fernando put over a penalty in front to extend their lead to 18-8.

In the 25th minute Vidyartha's Skipper and No.8 Jason Dissanayake received a short pass from Chamath Fernando and powered his way to score by the left corner flag. Chamath Fernando made a brilliant conversion. Vidyartha 25-8.

The Antonians came back into the game briefly shortly afterwards when Prop Mohammed Shabith went over by the left corner flag to reduce the lead to 13-25. There was no stopping of the Vidyarthians as their three quarters ran hard and centre Dhanushka Talwatte scored by right corner flag Chamath Fernando added the extra points.