One of the strong contenders to this years’ league crown Science College underwent some anxious moments in the 2nd half before pulling off an exciting 40 points (5T, 3C, 2P) to 28 (3T, 2C, 3P) win over St. Anthonys College Kandy, in their opening fixture of the Singer schools Rugby league, worked off at Air Force grounds, Rathmalana.
Science College (25) 40
Tries: Nirosh Udayanga, Tharindu Maduranga, Sanjula Rohan, Nishad Niranjan, Udesh Madushanka
Con: Thanuja Maduranga 2, Nishad Niranan 1
Pens: Thanuja Maduranga 3
St. Anthonys College (10) 28
Tries: Mohomed Shabeer, Dinuk Amarasinghe, Samuel Maduwantha
Con: Samuel Maduwantha 2 Pens: Samuel Maduwantha 3
In a team packed with talented and experienced players Science college started the game brightly testing the ‘Antho’ defense early on. St.Anthonys were not ready to face the brunt of the home team’s attacking force as they conceded a penalty early in the 2nd minute. Thanuja Maduranga made no mistake with the easy kick.
Science college were back again in their opponents half going at the opposition defense. The much hyped Science threes got their act together early on, and a beautiful planned move saw their skipper Nirosh Udayanga crashing in for a try under the posts. Maduranga was on target with the easy conversion (10nil to Science).
A few minutes later St.Anthonys were awarded a penalty which was successfully put over by Samuel Maduwantha. Science College came back storming into their opposition half next, when their flanker Janitha Laksara made a stunning break. but instead of going to finish an easy try he decided to cut back inside and was held by the last gasp defending of the Antonian Full Back. Instead of a try Science college had to be contend with just 3 points as they were awarded a penalty off the ensuing ruck which was put over by Maduranga (13 -03).
Things looked bleak for the visitors as they conceded another try 10 minutes later with Nishad Niranjan whizzing pass the Antonian defense to touch down in the far corner. Maduranga made a peach of a conversion to put Science in a commanding position. (20-03).
During this period Samuel missed two penalty kicks albeit from a difficult position. Science showed a bit of indiscipline at the break downs giving away penalties regularly. Taking advantage of the situation the visitors managed to enter their opponents ’22’ for virtually the first time in the game and got a few phases going.
A few hits and shoves later, Lock Mohomed Shabeer caught the Science defense napping powering his way through to score a try, besides the posts. Samuel added the extras to cut short the deficit (20-10).
However just before ‘lemons’ the home team scored their 3rd try through Winger Tharindu Maduranga to have a healthy 15 point lead going into the break.
Half Time: Science 25 – SACK 10
Due to the delayed start of the game, ground conditions were cooler and favourable for a Kandy team rather than the usual hot and humid conditions teams experience in Colombo.
Photo Album – Science College v St.Anthony’s College (Schools Rugby 2016)
This went well with the visitors as they started off the second half in fine style taking the game right to their opposition. In a remarkable turn of events St.Anthonys reduced the lead to just 2 points within 15 minutes of the second half.
Maduwantha fired across a penalty early in the 42nd minute before center Dinuk Amarasinghe crashed through for a try which was also converted by Maduwantha. Few minutes later Maduwantha put over another penalty to make it (25-23)
During this period the home team was pinned into sumission and it was all about the visitors. In an attempt give his team some respite, Thanuja Maduranga had a go at the posts for a penalty which came their way and was on target as science maintained a five point lead (28-23).
The lead was further increaed when Supun Dilshan made a clean break and his offload found the hands of Sanjula Rohan who touched down for a corner flag try (33 -23).
Undeterred the visitors came back strongly and a powerful run by Samuel Maduwantha ended up with the Latter grounding the ball over the try line. Maduwantha’s conversion went astray and Science were in the lead by a mere try(33- 28).
With time running out St.Anthonys were trying all they can, to level the scores. But against the run of play, Science managed to turn over possession and set their speedy players on their way. Second rower Udesh Madushanka evaded the opposition defense and made a 40 meter dash to touch down under posts. Maduranga added the extras as the referee D Nimal brought the game to a close.
ThePapare Man of the Match – Janitha Laksara
Referee – D.Nimal
“We struggled during the 2nd half mostly due to our own mistakes. We had a few players who left the field due to injury. We will deffenitely work on our weak points and come up with a better and stronger performance against St.Peters next week” – Nirosh Udayanga-Science College Captain stated to ThePapare.com
