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by Chris Dhambarage

Ananda College created the first major upset in the Milo Schools under 19 league rugby tournament when they knocked out S. Thomas' College Mount Lavinia 8-7 in a thrilling game at Longden Place last week.

Ananda's stunning victory had great significance because the last time they defeated the Thomians was way back in 1988. Not only that they are competing in the Milo 'B' division league but the Thomians are vying for honours in the prestigious Milo 'A' division league tournament. The Anandians certainly had the experience behind them with nearly seven to eight senior players in their ranks.

But the manner in which they went about their task was really outstanding and their ball handling was quite exceptional. The Anandians were making their very first appearance for the season and they got their act together well from the kick off with a series of threatening moves. They were up against a heavy Thomian 'pack' but they were really determined to succeed and were rewarded with a morale boosting victory at the end. The Ananda three quarters made use of the good ball quite intelligently and held on to every pass as if their own life depended on them.

Their back division always looked dangerous with the ball and were equally brilliant in defence where they spoiled a number of scoring opportunities. The Anandians took the initiative with Sumith Dahanayake adding the finishing touches to an excellent three quarter move.

Centre Nipuna Vimukthi missed the conversion having earlier fired across a crucial penalty as Ananda took a 8 nil lead at half time. The Thomians rallied well in the second half and reduced the margin to a solitary point with number eight Namal Rajapaksa going over for a classic try and Thajudeen made no mistake with the conversion. But the Anandians were quite confident and held on to that slender lead until the end to register a memorable victory.

Easy for Peterites

Meanwhile the reigning Milo 'A' division league champions St. Peter's College powered their way towards their second successive victory as they routed Nalanda by 74 points to 5 in their encounter played at Havelock Park.

The Peterites playing like a true champion side got their act together well from the kick off and collected their points from seven goals and five tries having led 31 nil at half time. The Nalandians managed to score only a solitary try. Despite having rested four of their top players St. Peter's enjoyed a major amount of possession both in the line outs and set pieces.

The forwards were equally brilliant in the loose while initiating several threatening moves which had the opposition under pressure throughout the game.

The Peterite halves combination of M. Perera and D. Edirisinghe clicked well and the back division responded beautifully while running the ball at every given opportunity. The most outstanding among their three quarters was Mohamed Renaz who scored five tries with three of them coming in the first half.

The dynamic wing three quarter who scored a total of 33 tries last year seems to have struck early form and has seven tries to his tally in two outings in the current inter school rugby season.

The Peterites completely dominated second half and piled up 43 points with skipper Romesh Ishaq, R. Razak, S. Rajakaruna, M. Fernando, M. Sheriff and D. Jude also scoring a try each.

Isipatana win easily

Former Milo 'A' division league champions Isipatana launched their campaign for the under-19 league title with an impressive 43 points to 3 win over Carey College at Havelock Park.

The Isipatana outfit dished out some superb fast open rugby and collected their points from four goals and three tries after having led 19-3 at half time. Carey College managed to put over only a solitary penalty. The entire Isipatana back division looked in good form but Naresh Liyanage (two tries), Senthil Kumara, Asanka Gunawardena, Anuruddha Dharmatilleke, A. Achalanka and Prasad Mangala were outstanding.

Antonians crush Joes

St. Anthony's College Kandy began the Milo inter schools rugby season in style defeating St. Joseph's College 41 points to 10 at Longden Place.

The Antonians despite playing their first game away from home looked in good touch and collected their points from four goals, two tries and one penalty after having led 10-5 at half time. The Joes managed to score two tries.

The visitors after been restricted in the first half to a certain extent opened out during the latter stages while completely outplaying their opponents. As a result Sumith Jagoda, S. Swarnatilleke, D. Wijeratne, I. Besthamil, M. Riyal and W. Senarath grabbed the opportunity and scored a try each to complete a morale boosting win for the Antonians.

Trinity victorious

Trinity College, Kandy recorded an unimpressive 22 points to 3 win over Vidyartha College 3 in their inter-school rugby match played at the Trinity Rugby Stadium at Pallekelle. The Trinitians failed to live upto expectations and produced an impressive performance both in the line-outs and scrums and appeared to have run out of steam in the second half when one expected them to run through their smaller made opponents to pile up a big score.

However Trinity had some consolation from this game as they avenged their last year's defeat to Vidyaratha.

Kingswood College launched their new grounds at Randles Hill by registering a thrilling 17 points to 5 win over Wesley College to take the first leg of the 18th L. E Blaze Trophy.

The Kingswoodians collected their points from two goals and a penalty while the Wesleyites responded with a solitary try. Royal College put up an encouraging performance to beat Dharmaraja College Kandy by 45 points to nil win in their inter school rugby match played at the Nittawela Rugby Stadium. Royal completely dominated the game with their heavy set of forwards and scored seven tries having led 33 nil at half time.

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