Seventh ‘Battle of the Golds’:

DS retains crown beating Mahanama 31-22

Thushan JAYASURIYA

D.S.Senanayake College, Colombo retained the trophy for the fourth consecutive year when they beat Mahanama College by 31 points (three goals, two tries) to 22 (one goal , three tries) in the seventh annual “Battle of the Golds” rugby encounter worked off at Longden Place yesterday after trailing 12–17 at the breather.

DSS opened scoring in the 13th minute with a try by H.M.Wijekoon, which was converted by M.S.S.Perera. Three minutes later, Mahanama opened their account through an unconverted try by Janith Rambukkanage by the right corner flag (D.S led 7-5).

Again in the 20th minute, B.S.Nandula contributed with another unconverted try to make it 10 – 7 pulling DSS to the back seat. In the 34th minute DSS got a golden opportunity to increase their score through a 20 metre penalty , but failed to manage it. The Mahanama lads increased the lead when Janith Rambukkanage scored his second try and Namal Perera made no mistake with the conversion (Mahanama led 17 -7)

The Senanayakians hit back when W.S.M.M. Abeysekara sliced through Mahanama defense to score a try by right corner flag and the scores read 12 – 17 at lemons in favour of Mahanama.

Few minutes after resumption DSS reduced the deficit when K.M.S.Ranaweera crashed through for a try (17 all). Ranaweera scored another try in the sixth minute of the second half and M.S.S.Perera added extra points to both tries (DSS led 26 – 17).

Mahanama College hit back with another unconverted try by H.K.W.K. Dharmasena to make it 22 – 26. Six minutes before the final whistle, DSS’s M.S.S.Perera surprisingly missed an easy 20 metre penalty. Though Mahanamians breached the DSS defence at several occasions, It was a difficult task for them to turn the game in their favour as DSS maintained a strong defense while scoring more points.

In the last minute, G.D.M.A.Wijesekara powered his way to score an unconverted try for DSS. And DSS ran out worthy winners by 31 points to 26. Dilroy Fernando referred.