Unbeaten Peterites secure League title in tandem

 St. Peter’s College Captain Dulaj Nawodya holds the championship trophy presented by Dialog Axiata Director/Group Chief Executive Supun Weerasinghe after the title-deciding match of the Dialog Schools Rugby League 2024 – Division 1A at the Havelock Sports Ground. 
Others from left: Guest of Honour Selvin Salley Isipathana College, St.Peter's College Rector Rev. Fr. Rohitha Rodrigo, Education Ministry Director of Education – Physical Education and Sports A.W.Nanayakkara, Sri Lanka Schools Rugby Football Association President Kamal Ariyasinghe, Dialog Axiata Group Chief Commercial Officer Munesh David, Sri Lanka Schools Rugby Football Association Secretary Manuja Nimmana 

By Shamseer Jaleel

St. Peter’s 6 points

Isipathana 3 points

St. Peter’s College, the defending champions made it, two in a row when they not only won the League title once more but also they maintained their unbeaten record crossing their last hurdle by defeating Isipathana College by 6 points (2 penalties) 3 points (1 penalty) in the Dialog Schools Rugby League 2024 in front of a packed house at Havelock Park last weekend.

At the short breather Peterites led 3/0.

 It was top class rugby for the packed house at the Park with both the unbeaten teams battling it out in the block buster encounter and the finale of the league encounter for 2024. The game was played at a very good pace in the early stages but heavy rain put a full stop for three quarter running rugby. Despite wet conditions both team’s ball handling was on the high side. St. Peter’s was on the back foot with their deputy, Yumath Shihara being taken out due to an injury. Both teams dished out some quality rugby through their mobile set of forwards but defence of both sides were rock solid as no gaping holes were found to breach through. Though Petrites showed some willingness to use their three quarter line Greens opted to keep the ball with their heavy set of forwards.

Lads from Bambalapitiya drew first blood in the 34th minute of the game through a beautiful 40 meter penalty kick by Rahul Peter.

After the turn around Rahul Peter added another penalty to take the lead further 6 to nil. Green Shirts went in to several phases but failed to find the try line. In the end they were awarded with a penalty kick when the lads from Bamba were caught off side. Shaahid Zumri put over an easy penalty kick to reduce the gap to 3 points. Ever reliable Rahul Peter missed a sitter infront of the posts and the game was fought out and It could have been any ones game.

The battle between the forwards continued though the Green Shirts played well 2 Rahul Peter penalties were enough for them to safe keep the league title for yet another year at Bamba.

Referee Gihan Yatawara.

The crowd control at Havelock Park was excellent and hats off to the Organising Committee of Isipathana rugby for an incident free rugby encounter witnessed by a packed house.

Narrow escape for Royal

Royal 22 points

Trinity 19 points

It was a narrow escape for Royal College after scoring 22 points in the initial half when Trinity stormed back by collecting 19 points but in the end ran out of time at the Sugathadasa Stadium.

With this win Royal secured third position while Trinity ended the season on number 4.

At the short breather Royal led 22/0.

It was complete domination by the Royal outfit in the first half when they ran in three tries through Naqeeb Mohamed, Amika Samarasinghe and Fahad Nazar touched down once each with Idris Farook converted 2 of the three tries.

Trinity missed an early penalty through their fullback Yevan Hulangamuwa.

 After the turn around Trinity played totally different game scored through their forward, Yasiru Ariyawansa touching down. Trinity scored again through Manusha Silva with conversion with Shan Althaf took the scores to 22/12 with an easy conversion. Trinity who played like real Lions touched down for their third try through Minula Yaddehige. Shan added the extras but Trinity ran out of time but collected their losing bonus point.

Referee Hasantha Weranga

Both teams who rested few of their seniors will be at full strength for the First leg of the 78th Bradby Shield encounter which will take place at the Royal Sports Complex on 24 August. Doubtful starter will be Trinity skipper, Anuhas Kodituwakku.