Antonians in two impressive wins over Ananda and Royal

S. M. Jiffry Abdeen, Kandy Sports Correspondent

St. Anthony’s College, Kandy ran up the highest score for the day when they beat Ananda College by 45 points (5 goals, 2 tries) to nil on the opening day of the schools segment of Singer-SriLankan Airlines Rugby Sevens organised by Kandy Sports Club which got underway at the Nittawela Rugby Stadium in Kandy yesterday.

The Antonians led 26-0 at the breather.

The Antonians scored tries through winger and skipper Chanaka Gunaratne (2), scrum half Imad Reyal (2), centre Amila Bandara (1) and centre W. M. T. Chanaka (2). Imad Reyal added the extra points to five of the tries.

St. Anthony’s College scored their second win for the afternoon when they registered a fine 31 points (3 goals, 2 tries) to 10 (two tries) win over the strong Royal College.

At half time Antonians led 17-0.It was the early power play of the Antonians which stunned the Royalists as within minutes they had run up a commanding score of 17-0 and the Colombo school never recovered from it.

Scoring tries for the Saints were winger Chanaka Gunaratne (1), centre W. M. T. Chanaka (2), prop Sanka Rajaguru (1), hooker J. P. C. de Silva (1), scrum Imad Reyal added the extra points to 3 tries.

Defending champions Isipathana Maha Vidyalaya also impressed when they scored two good victories. First they beat St. Sylvesters College 38 points (4 goals, 2 tries) to nil. Next they beat Dharmaraja College by 31 points (3 goals, 2 tries) to nil. At half time they led 26-0. Royal College recovered to defeat Ananda College 12 points (1 goal, 1 try) to 10 (2 tries). At half time it was the Anandian who led 10-0 but failed to consolidate this lead in the second half.

Kingswood College had no difficulty in getting the better of their traditional rivals Wesley College who were beaten 36 points (3 goals, 3 tries) to nil.

The clash of the ‘Saints’ between St. Peter’s College and St. Joseph’s College proved to be a thriller with the Peterites winning 21 points (3 goals) to 10 (2 tries). Peterites led at 14-0 at lemons. Kingswood College, Isipathana MV, St. Anthony’s College, St. Peter’s College, are unbeaten so far and have assured themselves of a place in the Cup Championship quarter finals.

The results of matches played yesterday.

Kingswood beat Nalanda 24-5, Isipathana beat St. Sylvesters 38-0, Royal beat Ananda 12-10, St. Peter’s beat Vidyartha 31-12, Wesley beat Nalanda 26-12, Dharmaraja beat St. Sylvesters 33-7, St. Anthony’s beat Ananda 45-0, St. Joseph’s beat Vidyartha 31-0, Kingswood beat Wesley 36-0, Isipathana beat Dharmaraja 31-0, St. Anthony’s beat Royal 31-10, St. Peter’s beat St. Joseph’s 21-10.