Ananda in superb win

S. M. JIFFRY ABDEEN Kandy Sports Correspondent

Ananda College, Colombo recovered in the second half to score an easy 22 points (two goals, one try, one penalty) to nil win over St. Sylvester’s College, Kandy in their schools under 20 division one segment ‘B’ rugby tournament match played at the Bogambara Stadium in Kandy yesterday. At half time Ananda led 3-0.

Ananda College did not find things easy in the initial half as the Sylvestrians tackled hard and low to prevent them breaching their defence.

It was in the 22nd minute of the first half that Ananda College were able to collect their first points when a Sylvestrian defender was spotted off side and flanker U. A. Jayasundera fired the penalty which was awarded. There was no scoring till the teams changed ends after the short blast.

The second half saw the Anandians employ a different strategy to breach the impregnable defence put up by the Sylvestrians. They decided to use their forwards to penetrate their opponents defence.

In the 15th of the second half prop C. M. M. P. Chandrasekera scored mid left when the ball came out of the ruck situation. This was goalled by No. 8, D. L. D. Gunasekera.

Five minutes later flanker D. K. Nagahawatte collecting a long pass from J. A. I. Ravinath brushed aside tackles to score mid left. Flanker U. A. Jayasundera added the extra points. Ananda College 17-0.

The St. Sylvester’s team looked a tired lot and all they could do was to defend and the ball hardly came out of the Sylvestrian territory.

In the dying stages of the game flanker J. A. I. Ravinath with a sudden burst of speed scored mid left which went unconverted.

Y. M. S. Ratnayake refereed.