Wesley into final creating upset against Rajans 22-13

Thushan Jayasuriya

Wesley College, Colombo created a major upset as they defeated the more fancied ‘A’ division League champions Dharmaraja College, Kandy by 22 points (two goals, one try, one penalty) to 13 (two tries, one penalty) in the semi-final match of the Milo inter-schools rugby knockout tournament for the President's Trophy played at Royal College Sports Complex yesterday.

This is indeed a great achievement for the Wesleyites who were playing in the ‘B’ division category where they haven't met the strong Dharmaraja College outfit in the league tournament.

Dharmaraja College opened scoring short while after the first whistle through a try scored by full back Thilina Wijesinghe by the left corner flag, but he missed the conversion.

The lads from Campbell Place made a bold reply equalizing the opponents’ score with a near the post try by Gavin Siegertz where scrum half Rahul de Silva missed the conversion ( 5 all ). From that moment the Wesleyites took control of the game and maintained their dominance through out the first half. In the 23rd minute, Wesley full back Lahiru Madusanka scored a try under the post. Few minutes later the lads from Campbell Place scored their third try through D.D.N.Rajakaruna. Skipper Rahul de Silva added finishing touches to both tries by Madusanka and Rajakaruna making it 19 - 05 for Wesley at lemons. Soon after the resumption, the lads from Colombo scored a 20-metre penalty through Silva who strengthen Wesley's solid foundation (22 - 05).

In the 13th minute, M.L.Kulawansa powered his way to score by the corner flag and Rajans full back Wijesinghe missed the conversion. Wesley led 22-10. Few minutes before the final whistle, ever reliable Wijesinghe fired across a 20-metre penalty closing the gap (Dharmaraja 13 - 22). But it was not sufficient to make inroads to the game as their opponents were maintaining a considerable gap from the first half and the game sealed in favour of Wesley. Irshad Cader refereed.

Ananda beat Nalanda 30-10

Meanwhile, Ananda College outplayed Nalanda College by 30 ( one goal, four tries, one penalty) to 10 (one goal, one penalty) points in the semi-final match for the Premier Trophy played at the same venue. R.K.A.N.Madushan (four) and P.A.C.Dushyantha(one) scored tries for Ananda while W.D.L.Tillekeratne added extrapoints to Dushyantha's try and scored a penalty .

For Nalanda, R.P.C Randitha scored a try while M. A. Y. D.Madurapperuma added the extra points and later put over a penalty to reduce the deficit. Gamini Indrasena refereed.

Today's decider between St.Peter's College, Colombo and Trinity College, Kandy at the same venue will select the ultimate successor for the final which will take place on Sunday.