Archives

by Chris Dhambarage

Wesley College have done it again. They have created a major upset in the Milo 'A' division league inter school rugby tournament for the second time. Last week they brought an end to Royal's unbeaten record with a stupendous performance, recording a 22 points to 18 win at the Royal College Sports Complex grounds, Reid Avenue.

Wesley's success in fact was a historic one because this was the first time they had beaten Royal in an inter school rugby match and also inflicted the first defeat on the Reid Avenue school on their new home grounds. This was also the first defeat for Royal after remaining unbeaten for two years. But more importantly the Wesleyites have further boosted their chances of winning the prestigious Milo 'A' division league title for the first time.

Wesley certainly proved that their win over the defending champions St. Peter's last week was not a fluke but a genuine effort which they confirmed by toppling the strong Royal outfit with a spectacular performance. They took the initiative and completely rattled the opposition through their superb run and pass game, scoring three tries in the process.

Even then Wesley's dominance was more than that as they enjoyed a great amount of possession in both line outs and set pieces. They matched the Royal eight with a determined performance and also opened out a number of scoring opportunities. Wesley have now thrown the Milo 'A' division league title wide open with the top four teams all having a chance of winning the title.

Royal who were trailing 3-7 at half-time made a superb late rally while putting the opposition under tremendous pressure. They succeeded in crossing the Wesley goal line on three occasions which gave them some hope of pulling off the game from the jaws of defeat. But all three tries went unconverted with the Wesleyites doing well to hold their nerve during the last few minutes and register a memorable victory.

Grand win for Isipatana

Meanwhile Isipatana kept their hopes alive of regaining the Milo 'A' division league title with a smashing 20 points to 7 win over S. Thomas' College, Mount Lavinia, in their inter school fixture which was revived after a lapse of five years and played at Longden Place.

Isipatana after being restricted to a 3 nil lead in the first half cut loose mid way in the second quarter and then came into their own during the latter stages scoring three tries against their opponents solitary try. They gave the Thomians a fine lesson of fast open rugby with the forwards and the three quarters combining quite effectively. In fact two of their tries were initiated by the back division with Achintha de Costa and Chanaka Fonseka doing the honours.

The Thomians failed to live up to expectations despite going into the game with a better frame of mind. They had brought down Trinity College Kandy last week in Colombo and were set to produce another outstanding performance in this important fixture. But they found things even more difficult this time and committed a series of errors that did not help their cause at all.

Antonians beat Trinity

St. Anthony's College, Katugastota recorded their fifth successive rugby win over their traditional rivals Trinity College, Kandy, when they beat them by 22 points to 10 in their inter-school rugby match played at Nittawela.

The Antonians have been winning this match since 1999 and the five wins in-a-row may be a record for any school against Trinity College. The winners collected their points from 2 goals, 1 try and 1 penalty) while Trinity managed to score only a goal and a penalty.

Peterites overcome Rajans

The reigning Milo 'A' division league champions St. Peter's College scored a consolation 27 points to 11 win over Dharmaraja College, Kandy in their 'A' division match played at Bambalapitiya. This was the first win for the Peterites in the league after having earlier lost to Royal and Wesley.

The Peterites may now be out of contention for the league title but this win would certainly give them some kind of satisfaction ahead of their last three games. They were trailing 5-8 at half-time but recovered well in the second half to turn the game in their favour scoring two goals, two tries and a penalty. Winger Suren Rajakaruna was outstanding with two splendid tries while number eight Dananjaya Nonis and centre Matheesha Silva planted a try each for the winners.

Kingswood in impressive win

Kingswood College Kandy took a step closer towards winning the Milo 'B' division league title while overcoming St. Joseph's College by 29 points to 7 in their fixture played at Longden Place. The Kingswoodians probably came out with their best performance in the current season running down four tries and conceding only a solitary try. S. Waduge, F. Marjan, M. Lutzi and E. Weerakkody scored a try each for the winners with Weerakkody converting three tries and also putting over a penalty.

Easy for Ananda

Ananda College also moved closer towards winning the Milo 'B' division league title outplaying St. Sylvester's College Kandy by 23 points to 3 in their fixture played at Havelock Park. The Anandians have now recorded three successive victories and their clash against Kingswood would probably decide the league champions. After having taken a close 5-3 lead at half-time Ananda cut loose in the second half to score one goal, two tries and two penalties.

Thurstan register first win

Thurstan College registered their first win in the Milo 'B' division league tournament when they trounced Zahira College by 27 points to 8 in their encounter played at Maradana. The Thurstanites completely dominated the game in the second half and collected their points from two goals, two tries and a penalty after the scores were level at eight all at the breather.

Fine display by Carey

Carey College put up an impressive performance as they edged out the more fancied D. S. Senanayake team by 10 points to nil in their Milo Schools 'C' division league rugby tournament match played at Longden Place.

The Careyites scored two unconverted tries through number eight Ruwan Chamara and prop forward M. Faiz, having led 5 nil at half time.

POW triumph

In another Milo 'C' division league tournament match Prince of Wales College defeated Maliyadeva College, Kurunegala, by 19 points to 10 in their Milo Schools rugby tournament match played at Moratuwa.

The Cambrians collected their points from two goals and one try having led 14-3 at half-time.

Maliyadeva managed to score only a goal and a penalty. Mohan Kurukulasuriya, Sujeewa Pushpakumara and H. Gomes scored a try each for the winners with Vijitha Manoj converting two tries.

www.crescat.com

News | Business | Features | Editorial | Security
Politics | World | Letters | Sports | Obituaries

Produced by Lake House
Copyright © 2003 The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd.
Comments and suggestions to :Web Manager