Historical win for Rajans in contest with Trinity

Dharmaraja College created history when they beat Trinity College for the very first time in their rugby history which runs over 5 decades to edge them out 17/15 in a tense thriller at the Bogambara Stadium last weekend.

At the short breather Rajans were well settled at 10 to nothing.

Rajans settled very early in the game and looked a better side combining well with their forwards and three quarters. Their skipper Poorna Ratnayake and Luchithra Wijayaratne were outstanding both in defence as well in attack. They kept on attacking in the Trinity half most part of the time. Meanwhile Trinity three quarters were deprived of the ball with their forwards failing to secure the line out ball. To their misery they lost out on their hooker, Dehan Watagoda due to an injury. Anuhas Kodituwakku and Sachin Wanasekera looked threatening with their powerful runs with their half back, Rushen Bandaranayake slinging out his passes on time.

Trinity did settle in the second half with three quick tries and looked a better side in the later half but poor ball handling cost them the game when they failed to secure the loose ball which landed in Rajans hands. Rajans went through in several phases to score under the posts and seal the game in the end.

For Dharmaraja Isuru Bandara scored the first try and it was converted by Sadeesha Weerawansa, as Uchitha Wijayaratne followed with a penalty to take them to a 10/0 lead at halftime.

After the turnaround Trinity scored through two tries from Sachindu Wanasekera and a try from Abith Jameel. Later Ishara Wijewardana powered his way through for a winning try for the Rajans. Wijayaratne converted to edge out Trinity 17/15.

Referee was Aruna Shantha.

There were also wins for Antonians over Joes 22/12 while Vidyartha beat Science 26/19. (SJ)