MILO President’s Trophy Under-20 Schools Rugby Tournament:

Rajans record convincing win

SAJEEWA JAYAKODY

Dharmaraja College, Kandy recorded a convincing 62 points (six goals, four tries) to 8 (one try, one penalty) win over CWW Kanangara Maha Vidyalaya, Borella in their MILO President’s Trophy Under-20 Inter-school Rugby Tournament match played at the Royal Sports Complex, Colombo 7 yesterday after leading 24-0 at the breather.

Dharmaraja opened scoring when their fullback Thilina Wijesinghe scored the first try through a second phase move and touched down near the right corner flag in the fifth minute. Three minutes later, centre Buwaneka Udangamuwa crashed through for a try near the left corner flag which was converted by Vihanga Nawalage to make it 12-0. In the 17th minute, Rajans increased the lead when Amila Weerakoon scampered through for a spectacular try to touch down under the post and scores read as 17-0.

Three minutes later, hard working Thilina Wijesinghe made a goal as he scored a push over try near the post and converted it by himself giving a resounding lead (24-0) to Rajans at lomons.

In the first minute after the resumption, CWW Kannangara Maha Vidyalaya were able to have a solace scoring their first try when fullback Lahiru Lakshan Herath scampering through to touch down the right corner flag to make it 24-5.

Since then, the Rajans dominated the second half too, as centre Buwaneka Udangamuwa scored his second try near the post in the second minute, and Wijesinghe added the extra points making no mistake. Rajans led 31-5. In the next minute, Sandaruwan Adhikari scored a try and, again Thilina Wijesinghe made no mistake to convert it and Ranjans increase their lead making 38-5. Rajans scored consecutive two goals in two minutes. In the 14th minute, Dirantha Hiyarapitiya scored the try near the post, which was converted by Thilina Wijesinghe who had a grand game to make it 45-5. The other try scored by Prabhath Huriyagolla, just after he replaced to the field. Dharmaraja 50-5.

Rajans hard working forwards gave a terrific display to completely outplay their counterparts in the loose. Campbell Park school, was awarded a penalty kick by referee Gamini Indrasena and centre Malaka Madushan fired across a 20-mtetre penalty as their second and last scoring occasion. Rajans led 50-8.

In the 26th minute, Thilina Kariyawasam crossed the Kannangara goal line off a three-quarter move and ran round to score left corner flag to make it 55-8.

Afte two minutes, it was Dharmaraja skipper fullback Lochana Hettiarachchi contributed with scampering through for a try with burly Buwaneka Udangamuwa converting with ease to give the Hill capital school a crushing 62-8 win to go further in the MILO President’s Trophy.