Thomians retain Sevens title

Singer School Sevens

By Shamseer Jaleel

S. Thomas’ College showed their power and confidence in the Sevens format of rugby when they beat Isipathana 19-14 in the Singer Schools Rugby Sevens 2017, which concluded at the Racecourse rugby grounds yesterday. 

This was the second time in a row that the Mount Lavinia school has accounted for the Sevens trophy under Sri Lanka youth rugby skipper Naveen Heenakankanmge.

At the breather the winners led 14-7. The Thomians played powerful running rugby, well supported by their skipper Heenakankanmge, Dion Diaz and Mayon Jayawardena who were star class with their performance yesterday. 

Isipathana though replied with two tries that lacked the finishing touches but looked a yard slower than their opponents. Harith Bandara and skipper Chamod Fernando stood out for the Green Shirts.

Earlier in the first semifinal the defending championss S. Thomas’ edged out Trinity College in a 21-14 thriller. Both teams got ample opportunities, with the Kandyan lads missing out on a certain Cup final berth. It was a disappointing end for their head coach, former All Blacks Sevens player Lote Raikabullah, who finished this season empty-handed. In the other semifinal, Isipathana showed their running rugby prowess to overcome Kingswood College.

St. Joseph’s College won the Bowl segment of the tournament, overcoming Wesley 28-14.

Cup quarterfinals

S. Thomas’ College beat St. Peter’s College 17-12, Trinity College beat Royal College 19-10, Kingswood College beat Science College 14-12 and Isipathana College beat St Anthony’s College 19-12

Cup semifinals

S. Thomas’ beat Trinity College 21-14 and Isipathana beat Kingswood College 19-14

Cup finals

S. Thomas’ College beat Isipathana College 19-14

Plate semifinals

St. Peter’s College beat Royal College 21-7 and St. Anthony’s College beat Science College 19-10

Plate finals

St. Peter’s College beat Science College 24-12

Bowl finals

St. Joseph’s College beat Wesley College 28-14

Shield Final

Piliyandala Central beat Moratuwa Vidyalaya 19/12