Wesley stun Peter’s to clinch WPRFU U-18 10s title

Monday, 2 October 2023 00:14 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A spirited Wesley College on Saturday stunned the more fancied St. Peters in a tense game to win the Western Province Rugby Football Union (WPRFU) Under-18 10-a-side tournament worked off at Havelock Grounds.

At full-time, the scores were level five-all and the final result was decided on a drop goal contest on a sudden-death basis.

Wesley’s Abdul Haadhi was right on target with the first drop goal, but St. Peter’s kicker missed and Wesley was crowned Champion. Peter’s got an early try with some good passing despite the wet ball and underfoot soggy conditions. However, the Wesley defence was up to the task and prevented Peterites from increasing their score. With a minute to go and victory on the cards, the Wesley team counter-attacked after getting possession inside their half. They kept pressing and harassing the Peterite defence, who relented, gave away a series of penalties for repeated infringements, and was shown a yellow card for dangerous play. An intelligent play by Wesley forced Peters to panic, resulting in a score on the stroke of the final whistle though scrum-half Adeeb Yooseph.

Both teams had several players who played in the school›s top league. Science College won the Plate beating Zahira 10-0, while the Prince of Wales won the Bowl beating Lumbini 12-0. Central College Maharagama won the Shield, beating Presidents College Maharagama.

Ratnaloka won the women›s tag Rugby, beating All Saints Convent.

There were 16 teams from divisions 1 and 2, and 30 matches were played, including four women›s tag rugby games. Dulan Navodya of St. Peters won the Most Valuable Player award, which includes a visit to Dubai and Tickets to watch the World Series Sevens, courtesy of the sponsors Sri Lions International.