Milo Knockout Under 20 Rugby Pathana edges out Peterites

By Shamseer Jaleel

Isipathana=24 points

St. Peter’s=20 points

It was so close yet so far for the Peterites who fired all cylinders, yet ending on the losing side not being able to defend its lead in the last 20 minutes of play against the Singer League 2016 champions, Isipathana. In the end Isipathana edged out playing under pressure but survived the full 80 minutes of play with a close 24/20 win over the Bambalapitiya outfit in one of the semi-final encounters in the Milo Knockout rugby tournament Under 20 encounter at the Royal Sports Complex.

It was the Peterites who led 13/12 at the short breather. This was Isipathana’s first game in the Milo Knockout as they received a walk over from D.S. Senanayake College while Peterites held on to a close win over the Katugastota Antonians. For Pathana their centre Sumudu Rankothge and Kushan Indunil played well while the Peterites were well led by their skipper and full back Sandesh Abeywickrema scrum half Heenapala played well. The game was played at a rapid pace but ball handling errors by both outfits kept them away from scoring and moving the score board.

Referee – Dinka Peiris

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Royal take sweet revenge

Royal=24 points

S. Thomas’=15 points

Royal took the home advantage to secure a sweet revenge against Thomians getting the better by 24/15 in one of the keenly contested Milo knockout rugby semi- final encounter at their home back yard at Reid Avenue. Thomians earlier defeated Royal in the league which was played for Michael Gunaratne trophy. 

Thomians lost lot of territorial advantage as they could not find touch most of the occasions getting penalties within their own 22 line. This resulted in Royal collecting, attacking in Thomian territory. Further Thomians whenever they got the one man advantage through a “Yellow” by the opposition they never capitalised, got the advantage of scoring. They opted for penalties and missed out most of them, while Royal outfit led by skipper Nikila Gunadheera opted to use their powerful forwards more often with lot of success. 

In loose play Royal had plenty of turn over balls which helped to feed their three quarters with space to run. Royal scrum half, Ashok Vijaykumar had a grand game foxing their opposition with unthinkable moves. Thomian winger, Navin Heenakankanmge the destroyer from Mount Lavinia had an average game hardly touching the ball, no space given for him to run down the wing. He was well marked by his opposite number, Shabith Feroze. 

There were a few questionable refereeing decisions not giving “yellow” for professional fouls by Royal which was noticed in the later half. Ashok Vijaykumar, Azmir Fajudeen and Nikila Gunadheera scored for Royal with Askey on target with all three conversions plus putting over an important penalty while Thomians scored through Wayne Mack and Mayon Jayawardena with Ashwantha Herath converting one and putting over a penalty.

Referee Rohan Fernando