Trinity crush Antonians

by S.M. Jiffrey ABDEEN – Kandy Sports Corr.

Trinity College showed their dominance over their traditional rivals St. Anthony’s College by crushing them by 54 points (3 goals, 1 penalty goal, 3 tries, 2 penalties) to 10 (2 tries) in their schools under-19 Division one rugby tournament match played before a large crowd at Nittawela yesterday. At half time the lions led 25-5.

This was Trinity’s second win in two weeks and the Antonians had the opposite record of losing both matches. Trinity’s three quarters had lot of punch which often ended in tries.

The Antonians though playing much better than in their last match could not counter the hard play of the Lions.

The game was barely six minutes old when Trinity’s No.8 Ryle Madena fell over near the post and centre Thisila Karunatillake added the exra parts.

In the 13th minute Thisila Karunatillake knocked over a penalty for the Lions to increase their tally. Trinity led 15-0.

The Trinitians continued with their scoring spree and in the 23rd minute their three quarters moved the ball with winger Dharshana Udalagama scoring for left and Thisila Karunatillake made a brilliant conversion to increase Trinity’s score to 22-0.

However in the 33rd minute the Antonians fought back when hooker Mohamed Ali sneaked his way to score mid left and stand off Fazher Rahman failed to add the extra points. (St. Anthony’s 5-22)

Two minutes before the short blast Thisula Karunatilleke put over a 30 metre penalty for the Lions to lead 25-5 at lemons.

Trinity College continued to mount pressure on their opponents and in the 3rd minute of the second half flanker Randika Alwis pounded his way to score under the post but Thisila Karunatillake kicked astray an easy kick at goal.

There was a lull in scoring for sometime and it was in the 17th minute that centre Lochana Girihagama breezed his was to score mid left. This try too went unconverted.

A few minutes later it was centre Lochana who scored again near the posts and Thisila Karunatillake kicked correctly and the Trinitors had run up an unbeatable lead of 42-5.

In the 30th minute Winger Kanishka Yatawara made a brilliant run along the line to score by the right corner flag. This try went unconverted.

Four minutes later Kanishka Yatawara sprinted nearly 40 metres with the ball before he was brought down with a dangerous tackle and the referee awarded a penalty try which was goalled by Yatawara.

In the final minute of play Antonian winger W.L.D. Madusanka scored an unconverted try.

Ishard Ariff referee.