Thomians beat Pathana to win U-20 K/O title
by Ranjan ANANDAPPA
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Thomian skipper Shavin Kapuwatte with the Milo Under-20 Schools’
Knockout Rugby Trophy
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Thomian flanker Janik Jayasuriya (ball in hand) is poised for a
breakthrough . Pix : Kavindra Perera |
In a match that swung vigorously from side to side S. Thomas' pulled
off a last minute penalty win over a determined Isipathana outfit to win
the Schools Under-20 Milo Trophy in a fitting final played at the Royal
College Sports Complex grounds yesterday.
The Thomians won the Trophy after 15 years (then named as President's
Trophy). They last won under Nalin Wijegunawardena in 1994.
The score read 22 points (2 goals, 1 try and a penalty) in favour of
the Thomians to Isipathana's 19 (2 tries, 3 penalties). Isipathana led
8-7 lead at the breather.
Both teams should be commended for the fast and furious stuff played
which kept the spectators on the toes. Thomians, playing with a heavier
set of forwards combining with a swift back division, had a slight
advantage, Isipathana too hit back with their powerful runners. However,
they could not make much headway with their star winger Vishwamithra
Jayasinghe being a heavily marked man.
The Thomians opened scoring when winger Arjun Manoharan touched down
off a three quarter move. He also added the extra points. Isipathana
reduced the lead when M.U. Jumath fired over a penalty. Minutes later 'Pathana'
took the lead when Uthpala Seneviratne scored an unconverted try.
Soon after the turn over Manoharan missed a penalty for the Thomians,
but Anurudha Willwara picked up the ball and covered good ground to
touch down under the post. Manoharan made no mistake in adding the extra
points.
The Thomians stretched their lead off a push over try through
Roshentha Kodituwakku, but Isipathana levelled the scores 19-19 with two
penalties and a try scored by Niroshana Fernando. Devinda Prasad failed
to add the extra points.
During the dying stages of the game the Thomians were awarded a
penalty and Arjun Manoharan made no mistake to see his team forging
ahead 22-19 to win the match. Priyantha Gunaratne refereed.
Meanwhile, Royal College, Panadura won the Chairman's Trophy
defeating St. Benedict's 19-17. The Premier Trophy was secured by Prince
of Wales when they beat C.W.W. Kannangara MV by 33 points to 17.
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