A strong Trinity outfit was too good for the clueless Science College team as the Lions went on to record their second successive victory in the Singer Schools’ Rugby League with the scores reading 52-7 at full time.
Full time score: Trinity 54 (17) 7T 7C 1P to Science 7 (0) 1T
The scoreboard gives no indication to the contest that took place on the ground as the Lions were given a hard time in attack with a closely fought three-quarter line led by the Science skipper Dhananjaya Fonseka.
Once again Trinity got their basics right as they excelled in counter-attack and in the breakdowns making things tough for the lads from Mount Lavinia.
Trinity’s Lashane Wijesuriya drew first blood for the side with a 22m penalty kick and minutes later, a 5m scrum allowed skipper Nathan Yee to give wing-three Janidu Rathnayake the chance to score the opener for the day. Lashane Wijesuriya converted (10-0).
Trinity took some time to adapt into their usual playing pattern and once they did so, they were hard to catch. Breaking free was the nippy scrum half Anuka Boyagoda who offloaded the ball on to Dange who fended off two players to score as the Lions went into lemons with a distinct advantage. (17-0)
Halftime – Trinity 17 (2T 1P) to Science 0 (0)
The in-form center, Dange maintained his purple patch as Trinity’s first try in the second half and the team’s third came in the 45th minute of play. Minutes later, replacement center, Woran Weerakoon carried four players with him to score the fourth for the day under the posts.
The two tries that came off a team effort saw flyhalf Lashane Wijesuriya maintaining his 100% kicking streak as he kicked the fourth try through the posts successfully. (31-0)
The key factor for the Lion’s success was Trinity’s three-quarter line which was in perfect synchronization when it came to supporting the forward’s efforts. The stand-out player, Diluksha Dange showcased that he had the pace and the agility to keep both in attack and defense.
As Diluksha Dange stepped through a bewildered Science College backline, he completed his hat-trick of tries and later converted the try he scored.
With the Lions running away with the win, Second Row Rishane Madena and replacement scrum half Vishwa Ranaraja did the final honour to take Trinity to the 50 point mark. Diluksha Dange converted.
While Science College was trying their level best to score, they failed to hold on to the ball whenever they had possession. However, they were able to get a penalty try under their name with a Trinity player committing a dangerous tackle on a Science player on a try scoring attempt.
Referee Sarath Madugalle awarded the try and Hashan Madumadawa added the extras that came as a consolation for the school from Mount Lavinia.
It is seldom that you see a tight five playing fast moving rugby in a schools outfit and the Trinity front pack should take due credit for their style of play.
Science College tried their best but their best was not enough to beat the Lions as the visitors took their second victory.
Full time score: Trinity 52 (7T 7C 1P) to Science 7 (1T 1C)
ThePapare Player of the Match: Diluksha Dange (TCK)
Score breakdown
Trinity 52 (17)
Tries by Diluksha Dange (3), Vishwa Ranaraja, Rishane Madena, Janidu Ratnayake, Woran Weerakoon
Conversions (4) by Lashane Wijesuriya & (3) by Diluksha Dange
Penalty by Lashane Wijesuriya
Science College 07 (00)
1 Penalty try and Conversion by Hashan Madumadawa
