Late rally helps Petes retain Rev. Fr. Wiratunga Trophy

Ranjan Anandappa

A late second half flurry by St.Peter's helped them to retain the Rev.Fr.Basil Wiratunga Shield for another year when they beat traditional rivals St.Joseph's by 23 points (1 goal, 2 tries and 2 penalties) to 17 ( 1 goal ,2 tries) in a pulsating Singer Schools under 20 League rugger match played at the Royal College Sports Complex ground on Saturday. St.Peter's led 8/5 at the breather.

The Joes who took the field with a probable chance of regaining the Fr. Wiratunga Shield which has been in the Peterite custody for some time, may be from the the late 90's kept and their hopes alive until a late second half burst by the Peterites dashed their hopes.

The game swung furiously from side to side with the Josephian heavy set of forwards dominating. They drove into rucks and mauls and kept the pressure on the Peterites. The Peterites stood upto their task admirably and their better understanding coupled with superior rugger sense gave them the advantage.

The Peterites forwards second rower Asitha Chatura, flnaker Shenal Abeysekera, number 8 Isuru de Alwis and hooker Chaturanga Mendis stood up to their better equipped vis-a-vis of St.Joseph's Dushan Dep, Darren Hackle, Yohan Keyser, Piyum Jayasinghe and Praveen Givantha.

The Peterites opened scoring in the third minute when skipper Bhanuka Nanayakkara collected a pass from mid field and powered his way evading several defenders to touch down. Dulaj Perera failed to add the extra points.

The Joes found the equaliser through number 8 Wanniarachchi. But just before the short whistle Peterites forged ahead when Rizan Meedin fired over a penalty.

The Peterites had a 8/5 lead and Meedin stretched it to 11/5 putting over another penalty. At this stage play was held up for a while with a spectator throwing a piece of a broken glass towards the linesman. Once play began Joes sprang into the lead off a Y.D.Keyser try with Godfrey White adding the extra points.

With scores reading 12/11 in favour of the Joes, the Peterites missed a good opportunity of scoring when Riza Meedin and Dulaj Perera missing two penalties.

Two spectacular tries first by centre Danushka Ranjan and hooker Shenal Abeysekera scored in rapid succession to take the game away form St.Joseph's. For the Joes Piyum Jayasinghe touched down almost with the final whistle to make the final tally 23/17.

Referee. Dinka Pieris.