Wesley gives Peterites a jolt before losing

by Sajeewa Jayakody

St Peter's College, Bambalapitiya recorded a 31 points (three goals, two tries) to 22 (two goals, one try, one penalty) win over Wesley College in their Singer 'A' Division Inter-school League rugby tournament match played at Bambalapitiya yesterday.

The Peterites led 17-10 at half time.

Wesley opened scoring in the second minute of the match through centre Lee Avantha, who scampered through to touch down mid-right before a sparse crowd. Winger Lee Avishka made no mistake with the conversion as the Wesleyites gained an early advantage. Fourteen minutes later, St Peter's opened scoring through centre Theekshana Dissanayake, who touched down mid-left after a rolling maul. Fly half Stefan Sivaraj missed the conversion and they trailed 5-7. In the 20th minute, Peterite hooker Raveen Yapa scored off a off a rolling maul, which Sivaraj converted in style to give them a 12-7 lead.

Minutes later Yapa again scored for the Peterites off a push over try to extend the lead to 17-7. Avishka put over a 20-metre penalty before 'lemons' for Wesley to reduce the gap 17-10. Both teams played without scoring for the first 15 minutes after resumption. But scrum half Avishka Heenpella opened the scoring in the second half for the Peterites with a try which Sivaraj converted to make it 24-10.

In the 22nd minute, Wesleyite PD Sabar scored under the post with Avishka converting splendidly to reduce the deficit to 24-17.

Three minutes later, Theekshana Dassanayake touched down mid-left and Sivaraj added the extra points for the Peterites to extend their lead further to 31-17. In the dying stages of the game, Wesley winger Dineru Ranaweera toughed down under the post off a ruck. , but Avishka missed the conversion and the final scoreline stood at 31-22 in f avour of St Peter's .

Referee D. Nimal