Peterites get better of Trinity 22/10

By Shamseer Jaleel

St. Peter’s College continued their winning form when they got the better of Trinity College 22/10 in their Dialog Schools Under-19 Rugby League 2023 match ended at their Rugby Stadium in Pallekelle yesterday.

At the short breather it was the winners who led 12/7.

Trinity looked a different outfit compared to the earlier two outings against Dharmaraja and Vidyartha playing some outstanding running rugby. Ravin Illangarathne, Rushen Bandaranayake, Thisanga Dissanayake and Chamendra Dhanapala were outstanding both in defence as well in attack.

St. Peter’s who defended most part of the first half came in to Trinity territory 4 times and touched down twice. On attack the lads from Bambalapitiya looked completely different. Both teams dished out good attacking rugby and the Peterites stood out in the last quarter where Trinity let them down by doing plenty of errors which cost them the game in the end.

Vindya de Mel, Suesh Jayawickrema and skipper, Ashean Madugasge played outstanding rugby for the Bamba outfit.

Trinity scored in the very first minute of the game through sweeping three quarter move and ended in a forwards play which allowed Thenuk Fernando to touch down. Mohamed Shan added the extra points. It took eight more minutes for the Bambalapitiya outfit to open their scoring, through their Prop, Ramithu Ridmal. Yometh Shihan added the extras. In the 25th minute of the game through a sweeping three-quarter move, Sudesh Jayawickrema touched down for the visitors. At the short breather Peterites led 12/7.

After the turnaround, in the 39th minute, Mohamed Shan put over a 40 metre penalty for Trinity to cut the deficit to two points. Trinity made unforced handling errors, which gave Emith Jayaweera an easy opportunity to put over a penalty for St Peter’s. Trinity ran out of steam in the last quarter and errors overtook their spirited play till the 55th minute wallowing visitors to run circles around them. After a splendid move their skipper, Ashen Madugasge touched down Emith Jayaweera added the extras to take a good win to their tally and continue their unbeaten run. With this win Gen Dennis Perera Trophy remains at Bambalapitiya for the last 6 years. Referee Raveen Alexander