St. Peter’s College clinches Asian Finance Rugby Trophy 2012

Text and pix by M. Farook Lantra

St. Peter’s College clinched the Asian Finance trophy by beating the formidable Mahanama College, 3 points (1 penalty) to nil, in the WPRFU Inter-Schools Under-16 15-a-side rugby tournament which was held at Havelock Park grounds on 18 October amidst heavy showers.

After a successful completion of the round robin games and the KO games the finalists of Cup, Plate, Bowl and Shield championships were selected for the WPRFU Inter-Schools Under-16 15-a-side rugby tournament for the Asian Finance trophy.

More than 320 participants from leading schools took part in this grand finale, which was sponsored by Asian Finance Ltd., and organised by the WPRFU, for the second consecutive year.

Though heavy rains were experienced from the Plate finals onwards, the lads played their hearts out until the final cup game.

The Peterites could not score except for a penalty booted by their skipper Sandesh Jayawickrama. After the turn around, there was no scoring from either side due to bad weather conditions but both teams played a do or die battle until the final whistle of Referee Charith Kothagoda. The chief guest was Sanathana Dalugoda, CEO of Asian Finance Ltd.

Plate was won by Wesley College Colombo who beat Lumbini College 15 points to nil. Bowl was won by Lalith Athulathmudali College who beat Dudley Senanayake College, Colombo 5, 5 points to 3, while the Shield was won by S.D.S. Jayasinghe MV Dehiwala who beat Zahira College, Colombo 1, 2 points to nil.

In segment two, Mahamathya College, Colombo 5, beat S. Thomas’ College Prep Colombo 3, 15 points to nil.