Peterites maintain winning trend with fine performances

Schools Rugby Review

Chris Dhambarage

SCHOOLS RUGBY: St. Peter's College have done it again. They have recorded their third successive victory in the Singer inter schools under 20 rugby tournament. Last week they brought down their arch rivals S. Thomas' College Mount Lavinia by 28 points to 8 points in their annual fixture worked off at the CR and FC grounds, Longden Place.

Their success also had a great amount of significance as they regained the Archibald Perera Memorial Trophy while collecting their points from one goal, three tries and two penalties. This was certainly one of the best performances put up by the Peterites this season following their victories against Nalanda College and Wesley College.

The Peterites of course went into this game at the backdrop of some uncertainty because their track record in the series was not all that impressive during the past couple of years. But this time they were well prepared to meet the challenge and were more determined to pull off the game unlike in the previous occasions.

In fact St. Peter's College made certain that there will be no contest at the end as they built up a commanding 18 nil lead at the half way mark of the game. They seem to be improving after every outing and they have already shown signs of turning into a champion outfit.

In their previous outing they came from behind to register a remarkable 19 points to 8 points victory over Wesley College at Havelock Park. This time they were up against a different opposition but they stuck to their task from the beginning and completely rattled up the opposition with a fantastic display. In contrast the Thomians seem to be still struggling to form the ideal combination this season and will need an improved performance in their next outing.

Wesley v Kingswood

Kingswood College, Kandy suffered a severe blow in their attempt to retain the Singer inter school under 20 rugby title for the third successive year when they were held to a thrilling sixteen all draw in their annual fixture against the traditional rivals Wesley College at Reid Avenue.

Even then this was a creditable performance from the Wesleyites following last week's setback as they collected their points from one goal, two penalties and one drop goal. They went into this game as the underdogs but eventually came out with a magnificent performance which is easily their best effort in the tournament so far.

This time they were not rattled by their opponents reputation as the team played well within themselves where they enjoyed a fare amount of possession. Altogether the Wesleyites will be quite pleased with this performance especially after their 8-19 defeat at the hands of St. Peter's College in the previous outing.

The Kingswoodians of course have only themselves to be blamed because for the second successive week they have failed to add the finishing touches despite enjoying a large amount of possession in both line outs and set pieces. They certainly had more scoring opportunities and this was quite evident because they had the credit of planting two tries against their opponents solitary try. But they just could not hold their nerve during the latter stages and had to be satisfied with a 16 all draw.

Trinity v St. Anthony's

Trinity College, Kandy produced another stupendous performance to beat their home town rivals St. Anthony's College, Kandy by 24 points to 13 points in their annual fixture played at the Pallekele Stadium last week.

Trinity's success in this outing had a great amount of significance because they had tasted victory over the Antonians after a lapse of seven years. In that case this was a tremendous effort from the Trinitians who sealed the game in their favour scoring two goals and two tries.

The pressure was certainly on Trinity as they made a shaky start to the game and managed to snatch a close 7-6 lead at the half way mark. But they grew in confidence as the game progressed and soon rested the initiative with a terrific display of fast open rugby. They really came on top in the last 35 minutes of play during which time they crossed their opponents goal line on three occasions.

Royal v Science College

Royal College powered their way to register an emphatic 42 points to nil victory over Science College Mount Lavinia in their Singer inter school under 20 league rugby tournament match worked off at Havelock Park last week.

The game turned out to be a good work out for the Royal side ahead of their more important and traditional matches this season. They were quite aware that they were up against a weak opposition who had suffered a humiliating 0-73 defeat at the hands of Isipatana College at the same venue in the previous week.

Royal however were not interested in setting up a big score as they settled for a morale boosting 42 points to nil win while collecting their points from two goals, five tries and one drop goal. They were more worried about the form and the fitness of their players who are expected to face some real stiff resistance in the next few outings.