S. Thomas' College Vs St. Anthony's College Katugastota - 2009 (STC -
52 : SACK - 25)
played on
Saturday, the 6th June 2009 at Nittawela Grounds, Kandy.
S. Thoma's College,
Mount Lavinia cut loose in the second half to score a ragistering 52
points (6 goals, 2 tries) to 25 (1 goal, 3 tries 1 penalty) win over
St. Anthony's College to retain the Rev. Fr. Rosati Memorial shield
in their schools under 20 rugby tournament match played at Nittawela
yesterday. At half the Thomians led by a single point 19-18.
Before the commencement
of the match both teams were introduced to the Chief Guest Murasheed
Mahroof President, OBA St. Anthony's College.
Thomians struck gold in
the 3rd minute of play when their three quarters moved the ball from
right flank to left and centre Anuruddha Welwara scored by the left
corner flag. Stand off Arjun Manoharan added the extra points. St.
Thomas 7-0.
The Anthonian reduced
the gap in the 7th minute when centre Amila Bandara made the break
and sent a pass to full back.
Tharanga Bandara who
scored by right corner flag, but failed to add the extra points.
Anthonians 5-7.
But the Thomians hit
back two minutes when stand off Arjun Manoharan followed a grabber
and scored by right corner flag. This try went unconverted.
At this stage Thomian
prop S. B. Ahangama was spotted pushing in the scorers by the touch
judge who informed the referee who after two moues brought back play
to original place and a warded a penalty to the Antonions prop
Ahangama was sent to the `Sin Bin'.
The Anthonians opted to
take a short tap and worked their three quarters and full back
Tharanga Bandara joined the line to form the "overlap" to score by
right corner flag. This try too went unconverted. St. Anthonys
10-12.
In the 30th minute the
Thomians forwards made a terrific onslaught on the Antonians defence
with flanker Janith Jayasuriya scoring by the posts. Manoharan
Converted 19-10. A penalty converted by full back Tharanga Bandara
saw Anthonians reduce the lead to 13-19.
Just before the lemons
another strong run along the line by Antonian full back Tharanga
ended up in a try by the right corner flag. This try too went
unconverted. Antonians 18-19. But the second half saw the Thomians
putting more aggression into their play, especially their forwards
who harassed the Antonian defence to submission.
Early in this half
centre Thishan Wickremasinghe with a scorching run scored under the
posts and Manoharan added the extra points. Thomians 26-18.
In the 10th minute the
Thomians scored through No 8 Rajindra Gunasekara and Manoharan added
the extra points. Thomians 33-18.
Thomians ran riot at
this stage against a feeble defence put up by the Anthonians as they
scored three tries in quick successions through flanker Amrith
Andrado, flanker Angelo de Silva and No 8 Rajindra Gunasekera and
Arjun Manoharan added the extra points to two of them for the
Thomians to top the half century mark leading 52-18.
It was during the injury
time that the Anthonians scored through centre Amila Weligampola
which was goalled by Tharanga Bandara breaking a 40 minute drought.
Aruna Rankothge
refereed.
