Peterites end 13-year drought in Schools Rugby League

Monday, 21 August 2023 00:15 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

St. Peter’s lift the Dialog Schools Rugby League after a lapse of 13 years as Captain Ashan Madugasge receives the Dialog School Rugby League trophy from Dialog Axiata Group Chief Marketing Officer Amali Nanayakkara and SLSRFA President Kamal Ariyasinghe. Guest of Honour Themiya De Mel, SLSRFA Secretary Nirodha Wijerama and Dialog Axiata Brand and Media, Group Marketing Vice President Harsha Samaranayake

Unbeaten St. Peter’s College crowned Dialog Schools Rugby League 2023 Champions

By Shamseer Jaleel

What a game of rugby football, and an ideal end to a fantastic Schools Rugby Season of League encounters. It all happened at Bambalapitiya at St. Peter’s College ground on Saturday when the home team regained the league title beating Isipathana 28/17 in an epic battle watched in front of a packed stadium while leaving out thousands as tickets were sold out a few hours before the kick-off. At the short breather Peterites led 15/10.

The last Peterite win came in the year 2010 under Keith Gurusinghe and the same Head Coach, Sanath Martis.

The home team had an early lead through Yumeth Shehara who touched down in the 8th minute of the game when he brushed aside a few defenders from the Green Shirts outfit. He converted to take a 7/0 lead. Soon afterwards Isipathana cut the deficit through a Rinesh Silva penalty. Hosts went further ahead through Dulaj Navodya try and Yumeth Shehara penalty took them into safety at 15/3 lead. But one can never keep the Isipathana three quarters silent for too long as Isipathana player, Rinesh Silva scored off a sweeping three-quarter, supported by evergreen, Shahid Zumri on the stroke of half time. Rinesh converted to cut the deficit to 5 points.

After the turn around Dineth Ranasinghe the Peterite winger was in lightning speed to touch down and increase the home team’s lead once again. Green Shirts hit back in the 55th minute of the game through prop, Dhimeru Rajapakse. Rinesh added the extras to come closer to the lead but still the Bamba lads had 3 points lead. But another Peterite try by Kushan Tharindu and penalty converted by Kushan Tharindu put the icing on the cake and ended their drought of 13 years for the league win. Referee was Ishanka Abeykoon.