S. Thomas’ College defeated Science College with a comprehensive 31 (4T,4C,1P) points to nil victory in their Schools Rugby League encounter at the Air Force grounds in Rathmalana on Saturday evening.
This was the first time the Thomians have beaten their rivals from across the Galle road since Science College made an appearance in the top division.
ThePapare.Com Most Promising Rugby Player, Naveen Heenakankanamage scored two brilliant tries to help the Thomiansbreak their win-less hoodoo against Science and maintain their unbeaten run for the current season in a game of ‘Yellow Cards’.
Thanuja Maduranga of Science College kicked off proceedings on a hot and humid evening as the Science, as usual, used their back line to maximize their possession and territory but the Thomian defense was resolute.
In the 9th minute, Joshua de Lile won the ball from a breakdown for S. Thomas’ as Science were penalized for holding onto the ball. de Lile took a quick tap and passed to his winger, Naveen who put the foot down and sprinted 80 meters to score out wide. Ashwantha Herath converted from a tough angle. (Science 00 – S. Thomas’ 07)
By the end of the first quarter, Joshua de Lile scored the second try after breaking down the blind side from the back of a rolling maul. Herath converted from the same corner angle. (Science 00 – S. Thomas 14)
Photos: Science College vs S.Thomas’ College – Schools Rugby 2016
Against the run of play, the Thomian fly-half Bumindra Dissanayake was yellow-carded in the 25th minute for repeated offenses. Science had most of the possession early on but could not convert their advantage into points but in contrast, the Thomians pounced on anything and everything that came their way.
Science made a number of unforced errors though they were camped inside the Thomian 22 for a couple of minutes. With five minutes to go for the half-time whistle, Science captain Nirosh Udayanga was sent to the ‘Sin-Bin’ for not supporting his own body weight and a few phases later, Joshua de Lile was also yellow carded for the same infringement as both teams went into half-time with 14 players on the field.
HT: S. Thomas’ College 14 (2T, 2C) – Science College (00)
Throughout the third quarter, both teams made many mistakes as the game was slowed down due to injury stoppages and poor handling.
With the league in its penultimate week, the fitness levels and the stamina were heavily tested in the second half and Science College failed to implement their game plan. The likes of Janidu Laksara and Thanuja Maduranga led from the front but they were unable to find the finishing touch.
The first score in the second half came as late as the 67th minute when Ashwantha Herath fired across a straightforward 25-meter penalty to extend the Thomian lead. (Science 00 – S. Thomas’ 17)
Fan Photos: Science College vs S.Thomas’ College – Schools Rugby 2016
Straight from the restart, Science lock-forward Denuwan Lakranda became the fourth player to receive a yellow-card when he tackled a Thomian player in the air. With the one-man advantage, S. Thomas’ spread the ball wide through to the far corner and allowed Heenakankanamage to run around the defense and score his second for the evening. Ashwantha Herath carried on his form with the boot and converted. (Science 00 – S. Thomas’ 24)
As the light was fading away and the replacements were coming on to the game, the Thomian second five-eighth, Bumindra Dissanayake charged down a kick and scored the bonus-point try putting the icing on the cake. Replacement scrum-half Dion Diaz added the extra points. (Science 00 – S. Thomas’ 31)
With the injury time in play, Referee Rohan Fernando went to his pockets for the fifth time when the Thomian replacement prop-forward, Adeesha Hadunpathirana was sent to the ‘Naughty Chair’ for repeated infringements.
Full-Time: S. Thomas’ College 31 (4T, 4C,1P) – Science College 00
Referee – Rohan Fernando
ThePapare Man of the Match – Ashwantha Herath (STC)
Points’ Scorers:
STC – Ashwantha Herath 9 points (3 conversions, 1 penalty), Naveen Heenakankanamage 10 points (2 tries), Joshua de Lile 5 points (1 try), Bumindra Dissanayake 5 points (1 try), Dion Diaz 2 points (1 conversion)
 points to nil win at Air Force grounds in Rathmalana){kind=link}