Last minute try gives Peterites 29-23 win

by Sajeewa Jayakody

St Peter's College, Bambalapitiya recorded a thrilling win with a 29 points (three goals, one try, one penalty) to 23 (one goal, three tries, one penalty) win over Science College, Mount Lavinia in their Singer Under-20 Inter-school League rugby match played at Bambalapitiya yesterday after trailing 13-3 at the breather.

Science College opened scoring in the 12th minute of the game through a try by Chathura Gomes to make it 5-0. They made it 10-0 when full back Richard Dharmapala scored their second try from the right corner flag. Chathura Gomes missed the conversion.

The Peterites opened the account in the 30th minute with a 50-metre penalty by Jerome Canute to reduce the deficit 10-3. The lads from Mount Lavinia went ahead further when their centre Chathura Gomes put over a 40-metre penalty and they were comfortably placed at lemons with a 13-3 lead.

Early in the second half in the 13th minute, Peterite flanker Nishon Perera who had a successful game scored his first try, but failed with the conversion and Science led 13-8. In the 18th minute, Science College Lasindu Ishan crossed the Peterite goal line to touch down by the left corner flag. Jerome Canute made a splendid conversion to make it 20-8.

The Peterite hit back when centre Dilanka Perera powered his way to score near the post to reduce the deficit 20-15. In the 30th minute Peterite winger Pravin de Silva breached the Science defence to score near the post and Bambalapitiya lads led Science College for the first time in the game. Peterites 22-20.

Science College continued their fight back when hard working centre Chathura Gomes made a 35-metre penalty to have a thrilling lead to make it Science 23-22.

In the last minute of the game, Peterites snatched victory when flanker Nishon Perera, who had a grand game scored by the left corner flag. Kanuka made a brilliant conversion to give the Peterites a thrilling 29-23 win.

Gamini Indrasena refereed.