Kingswoodians displaydazzling rugby

S. M. Jiffrey Abdeen Kandy Sports Corr.

RUGBY: Kingswood College, Kandy, put up a dazzling display to trounce St. Anthony's College, Katugastota by 35 points (5 goals) to nil to become champions at the Central Province / Wayamba Schools seven-a-side rugby tournament organised in connection with the centenary celebrations of the Kandy Young Men's Christian Association and conducted by the Central Province Rugby Football Union played at the Bogambara Stadium, Kandy.

Kingswoodians scored tries through fly Roshan Weeraratne (2), winger Gayan Rathnage (1), hooker Faizal Marija (1), prop and skipper Naveen Wijetunga (1). Fly half Dev Andanda goalled all five tries. Dilroy Fernando refereed.

Before the commencement of the tournament Kingswood College and Matale Combined Schools teams which played in the curtain-raiser were introduced to the chief guest and Governor of the Central Province Tikiri Kobbekaduwa, with President of the Central Province Rugby Football Union Mohan Samarakoon, Co-ordinating Secretary of the Kandy YMCA S. A. Wijewickrema, President of the YMCA Lakshman Fernando and Viper Gunaratne Snr. St. Sylvester's College won the Plate Championship when they beat with ease Dharmaraja College by 33 points (4 goals, 1 try) to nil in the Plate finals after leading 14-0 at the lemons.

Scoring tries for the Sylvestrians were centre Mohammed Abdul (2), scrum-half Mangala Godamunna (1), winger J. Jaleel (1), and fly half Vishva Bhagya Jayatillake (1). Centre Mohammed Abdul goalled four of the tries. Gamini Jayasinghe was the referee.

St. Anthony's College 'B' brought into the tournament at the last stage had to huff and puff before overcoming Matale Combined Schools by 21 points (3 goals) to 14 (2 goals) to lift the Bowl Championship at the Bowl final.

At half-time St. Anthony's 'B' led 7-0. Nimal Fernando refereed.

In the group matches Kingswood beat Sri Sumangala 55 (5 goals, 5 tries) to nil.

Vidyartha beat Sri Rahula 42-5, Trinity beat Dharmaraja 31-0, St. Anthony's beat Wayamba 56 (8 goals) to nil, Kingswood College beat Matale Combined 44 (2 goals, 6 tries) to nil, Vidyartha beat Dharmaraja 45-0, Trinity beat St. Anthony's 'B' 53 (4 goals, 6 tries) to nil, St. Anthony's beat St. Sylvester's 31-5. Dharmaraja 'B' beat Sri Rahula 17-14, Dharmaraja beat St. Anthony's 'B' 24-14. In the Bowl semi-final Matale Combined beat Sri Rahula 19-14, and St. Anthony's 'B' beat Wayamba 40 points (5 goals, 1 try) to 7 (1 goal).

At the Plate semi-finals St. Sylvester's beat Dharmaraja 'A' 17 points (1 goal, 2 tries) to 12 (1 goal, 1 try). In the second semi-finals Dharmaraja 'B' beat Sri Sumangala 17 points (1 goal, 2 tries) to 7 (1 goal).

In the Cup semi-finals Kingswoodians had no difficulty in overcoming Vidyartha College 29 points (2 goals, 3 tries) to 7 (1 goal).

Incidentally this was the only time that Kingswood's line was crossed in the entire tournament.

In the second semi-final St. Anthony's College defeated their traditional rivals Trinity College by 24 points (2 goals, 2 tries) to 14 (2 goals).

In an exhibition match Low Country Ladies beat the Upcountry Ladies by 17 points (1 goal, 2 tries) to nil after leading 7-0 at the breather.

It is heartening to note that ladies rugby had taken root in the distant farming country of Dambulla as the Upcountry Ladies team was made of lasses from the Dambulla Central College.