Thursday Nov 14, 2024
Thursday Nov 14, 2024
Monday, 15 July 2019 01:48 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
By Shamseer Jaleel
St. Peter’s edged out Isipathana by 19/14 in the second semi-final of the Milo Trophy knockout rugby encounter which was worked off at the Royal Sports Complex.
At the short breather scores were levelled at 7 a-piece.
An evenly contested encounter saw at many times players from both teams going for man instead of the player as the game turned in to a physical battle. Running rugby was its best with both teams displaying ample quality. In possession Peterites had a slight edge with both teams having quality runners, an advantage for them.
St. Peter’s drew first blood in the 11th minute of the game, when the ball changing hands which ended in a superb run towards the try line by winger Ishan Fernando. Thenuka Nanayakkara was on target to take an early seven to nothing lead towards the Bambalapitiya school.
Isipathana equalised through their forward Sahindu Sihasara scoring under the posts. Manilka Rubeyru made the conversion. Rubeyru missed a long distance penalty to take the short breather at 7 a-piece.
After the turn around, St. Peter’s went ahead in the 40th minute when Raveen Fernando kicked and chased nearly 40 m with Ashan Ranasinghe touching down. Nanayakkara added the extras. Isipathana forward Daham Wickremarachchi scored the second Isipathana try with Rubeyru adding the extras to see the scores at 14 a-piece.
Peterites who kept on attacking scored the winning try in the 60th minute through their winger Ishan Fernando.
Referee Ishantha Abeykoon.
St. Peter’s will lock horns with Wesley on 20 July at the Royal Sports Complex.
Meanwhile Ananda beat Lumbini MV 26/22 to book their Premier final while Thurstan outclassed Prince of Wales 56 to nothing to book their final berth against Ananda.
