Thurstan in 31-24 win over Sylvestrians

S M Jiffrey ABDEEN, Kandy Sports Corr

Thurstan College came up with a fine performance to score a 31 points (3 goals, 2 tries) to 24 (3 goals, 1 penalty) win over St Sylvester's College in their schools Under-19 Division I Segment ‘B’ Rugby Tournament match played at the Bogambara Stadium, Kandy yesterday. At half time Thurstan College led 19-14.

Thurstan College scored first when fly half Gayan Lasantha followed a kick ahead and scored near the post. Scrum half Janitha Chathuranga added the extra points. Thurstan 7-0.

A few minutes later they scored again through centre Thivanka Prabath who touched down mid-left. This try went unconverted. Thurstan 12-0.

The Sylvestrian fight back in the 28th minute when centre Champika Dissanayake sliced through the defence to score by right corner flag. Winger Ishan Rajapaksa added the extra points. St Sylvester's 7-12.

In the 37th minute, Thurstan College extended the lead through flanker Duleep Warnajeewa who scored off a scrum in front of the post. Janitha Chathuranga added the extra points. Thurstan 19-7. In the 40th minute, the Sylvestrians won a scrum 10 metres in front of the posts and No 8 Lasitha Attanagoda powered his way to touch down mid-right. Ishan Rajapaksa added the extra points. St Sylvester's College 14-19.

The second half saw the Sylvestrians striking hard and were rewarded when fly half Hewa Liyanage kicked ahead and collected and sent a pass to flanker Thilina Bandara who scored mid-right. Ishan Rajapaksa added the extra points. The Sylvestrians took over the lead for the first time 21-19.

They further extended their lead to 24-19 through a brilliant 49 metre penalty fired by Ishan Rajapaksa.

But that was all the Sylvestrians could do as Thurstan College leveled the scores through an unconverted try by No 8 Avishka Perera.

In the 20th minute, the Thurstanites took over the lead once again when they were awarded a penalty and fly half Gayan Lasantha taking the short top and sent a pass flanker Ali Buhari who scored near the posts and Chathuranga goalled it.

Mohamed Faizal refereed.