Devapathiraja and Vidyawardena clinch under 14 rugby titles

RUGBY: Devapathiraja Maha Vidyalaya, Ratgama boys and Vidyawardena Maha Vidyalaya, Hennathuduwa girls brought honour and fame to their schools by clinching the Galle District Champions Cup Trophy for the first time in their schools rugby history. The finals were played at St. Aloysius Grounds, Galle.

Devapathiraja boys played a superb game to beat the more fancied St. Aloysius College, Galle by 12 points (one goal, one try) to nil in the under 14 final. The Vidyawardena Vidyalaya girls played their hearts out against Rohana Vidyalaya, Dodanduwa and the scores stood at nil-all at full time and the referee decided to have a penalty shoot out to break the deadlock.

The Vidyawardena girls put over all three penalties while Rohana Vidyalaya were able to convert only two which resulted in Vidyawardena emerge victorious in the Cup championship of the Girls under 14 tournament.

The boys under 12 10-A side tournament was also worked off on the same day and here too for the first time Siri Sumana Maha Vidyalaya (Hikkaduwa) locked horns with Devapathiraja MV which was a din dong battle. Both these boys teams were deadlocked nil all during full time and given an opportunity to kick at goal by each team. Siri Sumana were champs by overcoming Dewapathiraja M/V 2 penalties to 1.

More than 300 participants from 16 boys and 5 girls schools took part in this grand finale, which was conducted by the Ruhunu RFU under the instructions of Kumar Abeywardana (President Ruhunu RFU).

Sarath Ranaweera (Manager National Rugby Development SLRFU) and his team of officials which comprises of Anil Mangala Wijesiri (Southern Province Technical Officer) and Jagath Semasingha (Technical Officer) did a fantastic job for the tournament success.

The Results: Boys U/14 Plate: was won by Vidyaloka who beat Medankara M/V (Boossa) 7 points to nil while the BOWL was won by Vidyawardana M/V who beat Bodhiraja M/V (Thiranagama) 5 nil.

Girls Under 14 Plate: was won by Dewapathiraja (toss of a coin) with Mahamaya M/V (Hikkaduwa). Boys Under 12 Plate: was won by St’Aloysius College who beat Vidyawardana M/V (Ambalangoda) 5 points to nil while the BOWL was won by Rajapaksha M/V (Ahungalla) who beat Vidyaloka M/V by 7 points to nil.