Peterites, Isipathana march on with unbeaten record

Wesley Vs Vidyartha

By Shamseer Jaleel

St. Peter’s College marched on not only to beat the Royalists but also to keep intact their unbeaten record this season when they beat the Reid Avenue outfit 31/22 at the Royal Sports Complex last weekend. This win came after a 13-year

 wait with the last win being in 2010.

Tipped to be the title decider, the encounter was witnessed by a packed house which saw the lads from Bambalapitiya on song with the initial half running circles around the Royalists by planting no less than four tries. Pasindu Bandara and Vishanka Silva were outstanding for the defending champions. At the short breather, winners led by 24/3.

After the turn around Peterites started to relax while Royal made a brave comeback into the game. Pathirana was outstanding for the Royal outfit by scoring two tries and on attack he split the Peterite defence number of times. With Royal three quarters exposed to maximum it’s a big question on their aim to regain the league this year around.

Referee Raveen Alexander. 

Zahirians beat Thurstan

Zahira College overcame newcomers Thurstan 28/13 at Maradana last weekend.

Though Zahira scored a bonus point win they were off-colour and committed a number of errors after their magnificent win over Vidyartha a couple of weeks ago at home.

Referee Tharindu Perera. 

Trinity keeps hopes alive for Super Round

Trinity College kept their hope alive when they outplayed Science College at Sugathadasa Stadium last weekend.

Having needed a bonus point win over Rajans plus hoping that Isipathana will beat the Thomians were the equation for them to move forward to round two along with Isipathana in their group.

Referee Praneeth Weranga. 

Thomians outclass Rajans

Thomians played cohesive rugby in the initial half by collecting 36 points to record an easy win over Rajans. In the latter half, the home team scored two more tries to stamp their class and keep their hopes alive for the Super Round with an easy 46/12 win.

Referee Kelum Sandaruwan.

Isipathana continue unbeaten run 

Isipathana College continued their unbeaten run in the league when they won their 6th game beating the Antonians 36/8 up in the Hills at Nittawela. Antonians going through a disastrous season are yet to register a single win this season are in danger of a possible demotion with a requirement to win in a play-off to avoid.

Referee Ishanka Abeykoon. 

DS hand off Sumangala

Fast improved DS rugby outfit ran riot at Havelock Park when they beat the newcomers Sumangala 76/10.

Referee Charani Liyanage.

With only one match left for all teams, already St. Peter’s, Royal and Isipathana secure their Super Round berths while for the one remaining slot,S. Thomas' Trinity and DS are fighting for. Thomians will need to beat Isipathana while Trinity will need a bonus point win over Rajans while waiting for Isipathana to beat Thomians, with so many possibilities the League will end its first round in six days’ time. 

Second half burst helps Wesley beat Vidyartha

A superb two second half tries helped the Wesely Double Blues to overcome a spirited Vidyartha outfit by 34 points (4 tries, 4 conversions, 2 penalties) to 20 points (2 tries, 2 conversions, 2 penalties) at the Nittawela Rugby Stadium last evening.

At the short breather it was Vidyartha who led 17/14.

Vidyartha dished out good running rugby in the initial half by spreading their speedy three quarters. They settled down fast but they lacked the finishing touches in the latter half and their defence too was with huge holes which gave the Wesley outfit two tries.

Come second half Wesley played a more attacking style of rugby by collecting 17 points and crossing their opponent’s line twice. Abdul Haadi was outstanding both in attack as well in defence, In fact Abdul Haddhi contributed 20 points for the Wesley outfit. Vidyartha drew first blood in the thirdrd minute of the game when Adithya Ranaweera touched down. Rusith Tamodhya added the extras to take an early lead 7/0. Ten minutes later Wesley hit back through a try by their skipper, Sheane Mendis. Abdul Haadi added the extras. Rusith Tamodhya put over a penalty to take the home team into 10/7 lead but it was short lived as Wesley touched down far right through a lightning speed winger, Kaveesha Dilhara where the move initiated by Haadi. Haadi made a beautiful corner flag conversion to take 14/10 lead. Ranaweera scored his second try for Vidyartha on the stroke of half time with Tamodhya adding the extras to take the short breather in their favour 17/14.

 After turn around Wesley scored through Haadi and Senruk Gamage both were converted by Haadi who also put over two penalties for the Double Blues while Vidyartha got plenty of opportunities and could reply with only a solitary penalty in the latter half.

Referee was Gihan Yatawara.

Royal Vs St. Peter's  

St. Anthony's Vs Isipathana