Ananda Old Boys win NYC rugby sevens

New York City Rugby Tourney... The annual New York Cities alumni Sri Lankan schools rugby sevens carnival held on April 19 at Fairleigh Dikinson University, hosted by S.Thomas' College, New York City Foundation attracted most of the major Sri Lankan Schools. Ananda Colelge 'Old Boys' came into the tournament as "underdogs" but ousted some prominent opponents to capture the 2014 Lankan Airlines Trophy in convincing fashion.

Dr. Palitha Kohona - the Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the United Nations, Dilan Ariyawansa - the Head of Sri Lankan Airlines in the USA and Canada and Dr. Indra De Soyza the present Warden of S.Thomas' College were the guests of honour. S.Thomas' (STC), Trinity, Isipathana, St. Joseph's, Zahira, International Schools, Ananda and Nalanda participated in the tournament.

Ananda beat S. Thomas' by 12 points to nil. According to information available, the Anandians and the Thomians played some quality rugby. The Thomians were led by Amila Madulaarachi - a former S.Thomas' College rugby captain, but the though the Thomians attacked very hard, the Ananda degence held firm. Ananda penetrated the Thomian defence and Ananda's attackers maduhanga and Pramakau scored Ananda which sent their supporters delicous with joy.

The Thomians executed several attacking moves and tried to penetrate the Ananda defence, but the Ananda defence held.

Then in the semi-finals, Ananda came through tot he final beating St.Peter's and S.Thomas' beat Trinity.

It was a tough battle for the Thomians but they came through to win the game.

The Plate Championship of the tournament was won by St.Joseph's College OBA beating International Schools St.Joseph's was led by Roshantha Goonasekera.