Trinity and Royal score big wins as warm up for Bradby

Monday, 17 July 2023 00:59 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Trinity trounce Science 55/10; Royal beat Dharmaraja 36/18

By Shamseer Jaleel

Trinity College pulled off a fine 55 points (8 tries, 6 conversions, 1 penalty) to 10 points (1 try, 1 conversion, 1 penalty) win over Science College at their Rugby Stadium in Pallekele yesterday.

At the short breather Trinity led 24/3.

Trinity Lions warmed up for their Bradby Shield first leg against Royal next week when they crossed the opponents try line on 8 occasions where the Science outfit could manage only a solitary try. From the kick off onwards Trinity looked a better unit with a yard faster, threatening and hunger to score in each of their moves. Their fly half, 16-year-old, Shan Althaf had a grand game controlling well operating from fly half position. His kick at goal and gaining territory with his booming touch kicks was a memorable outing for a youngster in his very first year of senior rugby and turning out for the senior team for the 4th time.

Meanwhile for Trinity in forwards play, Chamendra Dhanapala stood out with some powerful moves which split the Science defence all over the park. Trinity three quarter line looked Abith Jameel, Rushen Bandaranayake, Sachindu Wanasekera too stood out for the Trinitians along with their skipper, Attaab Manzil who had a grand outing. Meanwhile it was one man show by the visiting Science outfit with their fly half, Dilruwan Perera having an outstanding game both in defence as well in attack.

Trinity scored their tries through Abith Jameel, Chamendra Dhanapala (2), Anuhas Kodituwakku, Lakindu Herath, Ravin Illangaratne, Sachindu Wanasekera and Thenuk Fernando. Shan converted six of them and also put over a penalty while Science scored their solitary try of the match through Dilruwan Perera who danced his way to fox the entire Trinity defence all over with a beautiful try. He converted by himself.

Referee was Kelum Sandaruwan.

Separately Royal College put up a grand effort a week before the Bradby Shield encounter when they outclassed Dharmaraja College 36/18 in their Dialog Schools Rugby League game played at the Royal Sports Complex during last weekend.

Three early penalties by Sadeesha Weerawansa put Rajans with an early 9/0 lead. It took almost 25 minutes for the home team to score first through their winger, Samarasinghe, Simak Shafeek added the extra 2 points to cut the deficit to 2 points, and Royal scored their second try through B Mohamed off a forwards rush. Royal led 12/9 at this stage. But Sadeesha equalised through his 4th penalty kick.

After the turn around Royal scored through Bandara, B Mohamed (2) and Yasiru Seneviratne scored tries with Nabeel Yehya putting over the conversions for the Reid Avenue outfit. Meanwhile Sadeesha put over 2 more penalties to add his points contribution to 18 points which was equal to his teams total points.